How to grow Christmas cactus more vigorously in summer?

With the arrival of summer, many flower lovers have discovered that the leaves of the Christmas cacti they are caring for have become weak and even have root rot. In fact, caring for Christmas cactus in summer is not complicated. As long as you master the correct maintenance techniques, even just watering it a few times at the right time can restore the fullness of the leaves of the Christmas cactus. So how can you grow Christmas cactus more vigorously in summer?

1. Proper pruning to reduce nutrient consumption

Christmas cactus usually starts to grow new leaves and bloom in the fall, and the leaves grow vigorously in the spring. But in summer, if the Christmas cactus is cultivated from its own roots, it has a large number of leaves. It is recommended to prune it appropriately, remove some small or deformed leaves, and only keep the healthy and plump leaves at the bottom. Doing so will reduce the plant's nutrient consumption during its dormant period, reduce the burden on the root system, and help maintain leaf health. For Christmas cactus grafted onto rootstocks such as cactus , dragon fruit or leaf fairy, you can follow the maintenance methods of the rootstock, and there will usually not be too many problems.

2. Provide shade and good ventilation

The summer is hot and humid, so Christmas cactus needs to be placed in a well-ventilated environment. If the external environment is not ventilated, you can move the Christmas cactus indoors, such as to a place where a fan or air conditioner is often turned on. This will not only ensure the health of the Christmas cactus, but also take up less space. When the temperature exceeds 30 degrees in summer, the growth of Christmas cactus will slow down or even enter a dormant state. At this time, you should avoid direct sunlight. You can move it to a bright place indoors or use a shade net to block 50%-70% of the light to reduce water evaporation and prevent leaf wilting.

3. Stop fertilizing

In summer, Christmas cactus grows slowly or goes dormant, so fertilizing should be stopped. Because plants consume almost no nutrients in a dormant state, fertilizing will only increase the burden on the roots, potentially causing root burns and rot, which in turn affects the health of the entire plant. Therefore, avoiding fertilization in summer is a key measure to protect Christmas cactus.

4. Water correctly

Watering of Christmas cactus in summer is very important. When the soil is completely dry, watering should be done between 8 and 9 pm, avoiding high temperatures at noon. The temperature is lower at night, and placing the plants near a well-ventilated window or outdoors will help the water evaporate quickly and reduce the risk of root diseases. After watering, the roots are more active at lower temperatures and can better absorb water, keeping the leaves plump. If you are not sure how dry or wet the soil is, you can judge by pinching the leaves. If the leaves are slightly soft, it means watering is needed. After watering, wait until the next morning to put the Christmas cactus back to its original position. At this time, the soil is slightly moist and it is not easy to cause root rot.

In short, the key to caring for Christmas cactus in summer is to control water moderately, avoid strong light, fertilize reasonably, and maintain ventilation. As long as you do these things, your Christmas cactus will stay healthy and its leaves will be full during the summer.