It's possible to make a Christmas cactus bloom again.
Here I show you how to do it thanks to a tip from my gardener.
And you'll see, it's pretty easy!
This succulent plant with large red, pink or white flowers blooms from mid-December until the end of January.
It is often offered during the holidays, it is even one of the symbols of the end of the year celebrations.
But what to do once the flowers have faded?
Throw it ? Surely not!
Here is how to make your Christmas cactus bloom again during the holidays and take good care of it all year round . Watch:
The secret to making a Christmas cactus bloom again?
It's a temporary lack of water for 2 to 3 weeks!
Indeed, to flower again, this cactus needs to suffer slightly from thirst .
It sounds unbelievable and counter-intuitive, but it's true!
If you want flowers for Christmas, here's how:
1. Reduce watering from the month at least 5 weeks before Christmas.
2. Allow the stems to soften slightly. If the plant becomes wrinkled or a little red, it is normal.
3. After a few weeks, pimples will appear.
4. It is then necessary to resume normal and regular watering.
5. Flowers will open after a few days.
Remember to remove faded flowers as you go.
Some place the cactus in the dark during the period of reduced watering.
I confess that I don't...and it flowers anyway.
It's up to you to experiment to see what works best for you!
In any case, be aware that the flowers are very fragile so do not move your cactus.
Otherwise you risk seeing the flowers fall...
If you notice that your cactus hasn't flowered all year, there are a few things to check:
- Is it well exposed? No direct sunlight but lots of light. Always respect a day/night alternation, it is very important for the cactus.
- Isn't it too hot? Even though he's a cactus, he hates being too hot. Avoid placing it near a heat source such as a radiator or a fireplace.
- Isn't the soil too dry? Light but regular watering is recommended. The soil must remain moist without being soaked or completely dry. Indeed, it would rot the pimples in formation.
A Christmas cactus has exceptional longevity!
It can be kept for 20 to 25 years with good care.
Amazing, isn't it?
And just because it's out of flowers doesn't mean it should be thrown away.
- After flowering, water approximately every 10 days.
- Give it fertilizer every year after flowering and until the end of summer.
- Repot the cactus approximately every 3 years in a slightly larger pot.
- Choose a well-drained mix of potting soil and sand. Like all cacti, it hates having its feet in water.
- Do not change it too much. When he likes a place, don't move him anymore.
- In summer, if the weather is warm enough, place the cactus outside. It loves shady, draft-free places.
- Check its leaves regularly. Like many succulents, this cactus is prone to scale insects. As soon as you see them, remove them immediately.
Well yes, it is easy to split it! And it's also a good way to have a lot of Christmas cactus without buying any.
In addition, it is super simple and economical.
Detach a leaf section from the cactus where it constricts as shown in the photo above .
Then, put it in a glass of water so that it makes roots.
The roots will come out where you cut the leaf in two or three weeks.
Finally, put the leaf in the ground in the spring and care for it like a normal cactus.
The Christmas cactus or Schlumbergera is a succulent with flat, smooth, thornless leaves.
Its branches droop and at each end a trumpet-shaped flower forms once a year.
It is a plant that is really easy to maintain, as it requires little attention and little water.
Only downside:the flowers are very fragile and break easily.
So do not move the cactus when it is in bloom.
This plant loves mild temperatures. Do not take it out below 10°C.
However, do not put it on a radiator either
