How to plant Christmas cactus and what are the planting time and methods

Planting time of Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus is generally planted in spring and autumn every year. The specific time can be selected from March to June or September to October. The climate in these two time periods is relatively stable, and will not hinder the rooting of the plants after planting, and the survival rate is relatively high.

How to plant Christmas cactus

Prepare the substrate : The soil for planting Christmas cactus can be mixed with peat soil and perlite. Such soil is relatively breathable, loose, and highly permeable, which is conducive to seed germination.

Sowing and planting : Plant the Christmas cactus seeds in the prepared soil, cover them with a thin layer of soil, and pay attention to moisturizing and temperature control. Spray water frequently with a watering can, so that the seeds will germinate about a week after planting.

How to plant the newly bought Christmas cactus

Potting soil selection : The soil of the newly purchased Christmas cactus needs to be changed for planting. It is best to choose soil with good looseness and rich nutrients. Such soil will be more conducive to the growth of the plant.

Soaking the flower pot : Generally, you can choose a purple clay pot for planting, but do not plant immediately after choosing the flower pot. You need to soak the flower pot in clean water for 1 day.

Moist soil : Then plant the Christmas cactus in a flowerpot. No watering is required within 3 days after planting. After the plant has adapted to the pot, the soil needs to be kept moist.

Ventilation and maintenance : The newly purchased Christmas cactus is best placed in a ventilated environment and exposed to diffuse light throughout the day. If it is exposed to rain, it needs to be moved indoors for maintenance.

How to grow Christmas cactus quickly

Light and temperature treatment : Christmas cactus is not cold-resistant and likes to grow in a warm environment. It must have at least 6 to 8 hours of light per day during the growing period. When the temperature is below 10℃ in winter, it must be moved indoors for maintenance and management.

Repotting management : Repotting is the basic requirement for how to grow Christmas cactus quickly. Christmas cactus needs to be repotted once every spring. Generally, the old soil needs to be replaced with breathable, fertile, slightly acidic sandy soil.

Suitable pruning : Christmas cactus needs to be pruned in time after the flowers fade. The 3 to 4 stem nodes under the remaining flowers need to be cut off. This can make the nutrients more concentrated and is also beneficial to the flowering effect of the plant.

Reasonable fertilization : Christmas cactus needs more nutrients during the growth period, and a thin layer of fertilizer is needed about every two weeks, mainly phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer.

Precautions for potted cultivation of Christmas cactus

When planting Christmas cactus in a pot, you need to pay attention to watering. Do not water it too much, otherwise it will cause water accumulation in the pot, the roots of the plant will have difficulty breathing, and in severe cases it will cause root rot.

Christmas cactus potted plants have a dormant period after flowering. At this time, you should control watering and stop fertilizing. Be careful not to expose the plants to the scorching sun, otherwise the plants will be burned, and in severe cases, death will occur.