Christmas cacti are beautiful plants that brighten up any home during the vacation season with their vibrant flush . However , to keep your Christmas cactus healthy and roaring , it ’s of import to provide the right caution and aid . Here are some summit on how to right give care for your Christmas cactus :
1. Planting and Soil
When planting your Christmas cactus , check that to expend average , well - draining soil . This will serve prevent the stem from becoming waterlogged and rotting . Keep in judgment that Christmas cacti prefer slightly acidic soil .
2. Light Requirements
Christmas cacti prosper in shining , indirect light . Place your plant in a fix where it can receive 4 to 6 hours of diffuse sparkle daily . Avoid lineal sunlight , as it can cause the cactus to burn .
3. Temperature
Maintain a consistent temperature for your Christmas cactus . Ideally , keep the plant in a room where the temperature ranges between 70 ° F and 80 ° F during the daylight and slenderly cooler at night .
4. Watering
Water your Christmas cactus when the top in of soil feels dry to the touch . Be thrifty not to overwater , as this can lead to root rot . It ’s good to irrigate sparingly but insure the soil is equally moist .
5. Fertilizing
During the growing time of year in spring and early summer , eat your Christmas cactus with a half - strength water system - soluble balanced plant food . This will render the plant with all-important nutrients to support salubrious increment and blooming .
6. Pruning
snip your Christmas cactus after flower to encourage shaggy-coated growing and more blooms . but crop off any leggy or damage stems with clean scissors . This will help shape the plant and advance newfangled growth .
7. Repotting
Repot your Christmas cactus every 2 - 3 geezerhood to freshen the soil and supply the plant with more space to grow . pick out a slenderly larger passel with unspoilt drain to prevent the roots from becoming crowded .
8. Humidity
Christmas cacti favour restrained humidity degree . To increase humidness around your plant , you may befog it occasionally or target a tray of body of water near the flora to create a humid environment .
9. Flowering
To encourage your Christmas cactus to bloom , expose it to 12 - 14 hours of arrant darkness at night for several hebdomad in the fall . This will help trigger flower bud shaping and secure a colourful display during the holiday time of year .
10. Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for uncouth pest such as spider hint and mealybug , which can infest Christmas cacti . If you discover any plague , remove them with a soft nebulizer of body of water or deal the plant with insecticidal scoop .
11. Overwintering
In late fall , bring your Christmas cactus indoors to a fix with bright , indirect light . Avoid send the plant near draft or heat sources , as this can stress the plant . carry on to care for the cactus as common during the winter months .
12. Enjoying Your Christmas Cactus
With right tending and care , your Christmas cactus will reward you with vibrant peak year after year . Take the time to foster your plant , and you ’ll be able to enjoy its beauty during the vacation season and beyond .
Caroline Bates
