How to cultivate Christmas cactus to make it more vigorous

Christmas cactus growing conditions

Christmas cactus is a plant of the cactus family. It likes shady and humid environmental conditions. It is a short-day plant that requires 8 to 10 hours of sunshine a day. It is suitable for planting in slightly acidic soil with good drainage. The pH value of the soil it adapts to is 6.5-6.8. Too high or too low will affect its growth and flowering color.

How to grow Christmas cactus

During the growth period of Christmas cactus, sufficient light should be provided, but shade should be provided in summer. Watering should not be too frequent. It is best to water it only when the soil in the pot is dry. During the growth period, you can apply decomposed chicken manure, fish water, bone meal and other dilute fertilizers once a week. You should also trim the branches and leaves in time to reduce the loss of nutrients.

Watering Christmas cactus

In spring and autumn, Christmas cactus can be watered every 2-3 days. In summer, the water evaporates faster, so you can water it once a day. It is best to water it in the evening. In winter, the temperature is lower, so water it once every 10 days or so. When watering, keep the water temperature the same as the room temperature.

Fertilizing Christmas cactus

After flowering in March, Christmas cactus will enter a dormant period. You can stop fertilizing at this time. After new buds grow on the stem nodes, apply a thin nitrogen fertilizer every 15 days. The pot needs to be changed every 2 years, and you can apply rotted animal manure to the soil.

Pest and disease control of Schlumbergera

The main diseases and pests of Christmas cactus are anthracnose, rot and leaf blight. You can spray it with carbendazim solution once a week for 3 times. When the situation is serious, you should pull out the plants and burn them to avoid infecting other plants.

How to grow Christmas cactus at home

Christmas cactus is suitable for planting in loose, fertile, slightly acidic flower soil. It likes warmth and is suitable for growing in an environment of about 20 degrees. It can be watered in time when the soil is about to dry out. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. During the growth period of its branches and leaves, nitrogen fertilizer should be applied once every 10 days or so.

Christmas cactus care precautions

Christmas cactus is suitable for maintenance on a sunny balcony. Sufficient light should be ensured in winter. After the flowers fade, it will enter a dormant period. At this time, watering should be controlled, the soil should be loosened in time, and the potting soil should be kept dry. The plant will also enter a dormant or semi-dormant state in summer. Watering should be reduced and drainage should be done well during the rainy season.