The causes and solutions of bud drop of Christmas cactus

1. Cold wave

Christmas cactus likes a warm environment, and the suitable temperature is between 15~20 ℃. It grows slowly at 15 ℃, and stops growing or even becomes diseased at below 5 ℃. Once the plant stops growing, the supply of water and nutrients will be restricted, especially during the flowering period, insufficient nutrient supply will inevitably cause bud drop. The most taboo thing is a sudden drop in temperature or a large temperature difference. A sudden cold wave can also cause buds to fall.

Solution: To prevent Christmas cactus buds from falling, move the plant indoors for maintenance in mid- October . Place it in a sunny location to avoid large temperature differences. The room temperature should be well controlled in winter, 20 ℃ is appropriate and should not be lower than 10 ℃.

2. Improper watering

When watering Christmas cactus, make sure the water temperature is consistent with the room temperature. The difference between the two should not be too large. If the water temperature is too cold and lower than the room temperature, the flower buds will fall off in large numbers. In addition, excessive watering will also affect the germination of flower buds.

Solution: It is best to use the spray method for watering, which can keep the soil in the pot moist and increase the humidity of the air.

3. Too little light

Christmas cactus usually grows flower buds in October , when the days are short and the nights are long, especially in the northern regions where the daylight hours are shortened. People move the flower pots indoors, where there is insufficient sunlight. Bud falling is inevitable.

Solution: Move the Christmas cactus to a sunny place indoors and pay attention to ventilation. If conditions permit, fluorescent lamps can be used to supplement the lighting.

4. Insufficient fertilization

Christmas cactus needs sufficient nutrients from budding to flowering. If it is not fertilized in time, the buds will fall off.

Solution: After Christmas cactus buds appear, top dressing should be applied once a week. Apply decomposed liquid fertilizer or spray potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution on the leaves.