Christmas cactus cyclamen...pinch it here after it blooms, and it will bloom twice more, each time more vigorously than the last!

Schlumbergera

The natural flowering period of Christmas cactus is generally from October to February of the following year. Generally speaking, the flowering period is still very long. If it is properly cared for after flowering, it can bloom more times or extend the flowering period.

1. Pick the leaves in time after flowering

Flowering always consumes a lot of nutrients, and the leaf of the Christmas cactus that blooms will bear the brunt of the consumption. When the flower is about to wither, pick off that leaf together with the flower (or you can pick two leaves). The strong leaves below will accumulate energy and soon produce new buds.

2. Supplementation of phosphorus fertilizer is essential

Some flower lovers said that the leaves of Christmas cactus become soft after blooming, which is most likely due to lack of nutrition. It is necessary to add some phosphorus fertilizer quickly. The fastest effective one is potassium dihydrogen phosphate. After picking the remaining flowers, spray it 1-2 times a week, spray around the leaves and on both sides. It will take effect in about 1 month.

In addition to potassium dihydrogen phosphate, you can also use Huaduoduo No. 2, the blue fertilizer shown in the picture below, dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:600, and water it 1-2 times a month. You can stop when flower buds appear.

Flower lovers who find it inconvenient to buy fertilizers can also ferment some by themselves, but it will take some time. Fertilizers with relatively high phosphorus content include bone meal, soybean water, and soybean cake (the residue left after oil extraction) water.

(The picture shows dried bone meal)

In addition to bone meal, the bones need to be desalted, ground into powder and mixed with soil. Both soybean water and bean cake water need to be soaked and fermented with water. They can be used after about 1-2 months. Dilute them with water at a ratio of 1:200 and use them for watering.

3. Necessary lighting

Christmas cactus is not very light-loving at ordinary times, but it needs sunlight to bloom, not to mention in the cold weather in winter. If you want it to bloom again quickly, it is best to give it sufficient light, not too strong, just gentle sunlight.

Get enough sun during the day, and place it in a small dark room at night, or cover it with a large cardboard box (remember to poke holes for ventilation). Such temperature and light differences can stimulate the Christmas cactus's biological clock, wake it up and make it bloom.

4. If you want to revive the flowers, remember to control the water

If you want it to bloom again quickly, you can't be too pampered. You need to control the water appropriately, that is, reduce the number of watering, so that the Christmas cactus is in a "hungry" state, and water it only when the leaves droop a little. This will help stimulate its flowering instinct.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen looks very delicate. Some people buy it and just watch the flowers bloom for a few days, then ignore it after the flowers fade. In fact, it can be kept for a very long time, and it is possible for it to bloom 2-5 times a year.

1. Cut the flowers as soon as they wither

After the first wave of cyclamen flowers have almost bloomed, you can cut off the remaining flowers and pick off the denser leaves in the middle. This will allow for better ventilation and light in the middle, which is conducive to the growth of new buds.

Do not spray water after pruning. Place it in a brighter place in the house. When watering, just pour some water into the pot, avoiding the middle position to prevent bacteria from breeding or causing rot.

2. Add fertilizer and supplement nutrition

If you have just bought the cyclamen from the flower market, it is generally well-nourished. After the first wave of flowers bloom, new buds will sprout soon after a pruning, which is enough for a second bloom. If you sow the seeds yourself and have been growing them for half a year, you will need to add some fertilizer.

Cyclamen prefers lighter fertilizers. Never put unrotted, strong manure or the like. Mild organic fertilizer is best. During the New Year, you can pick up some earthworm castings and put them in the pot. Rice water that is fermented on a daily basis will also work.

3. Be careful with lighting

Cyclamen likes bright diffuse light. It is actually not resistant to sunlight, so it can be kept indoors. In winter, there are occasional sunny days with strong ultraviolet rays, so it is still necessary to provide appropriate shade at noon. Be careful not to wilt if exposed to the sun.

4. Immersion pot watering method

Cyclamen is a flower that wilts easily. Don't be anxious if you find it wilting. Just water it and it will immediately become lively. But don't water it too much. Maintain a good watering frequency. Otherwise, it will wilt easily if you water it too much, and it is also prone to black rot.

You can use the immersion pot method to water the cyclamen. There is a tray under the flowerpot. When you see the surface of the soil in the cyclamen pot turns white and the flower wilts, add water to the tray. It will absorb water through the small holes at the bottom of the flowerpot and it will be fine after a while.

The immersion pot method of watering is actually to train the cyclamen itself, let it alternate between hunger and fullness, develop the habit of drought tolerance and water storage, thereby increasing its vigilance as a flowering plant, and then it will bloom honestly and many times a year.