prefers a humid climate. Therefore, special attention must be paid to watering, both in summer and winter. In winter, water it regularly, little by little, avoiding waterlogging the saucer, but keeping the soil moist. In summer, proceed in the same way, with the option of spraying a little water on the leaves with a sprayer. In summer, the best time to water the Christmas cactus, which needs small amounts of water at a time, is in the evening. In particularly dry climates, try keeping it in a room with a small humidifier or other plants.
It is important to avoid waterlogging and to water regularly but not excessively, especially during flowering. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to the death of the plant. This rot can also be caused by a fungus, unfortunately not visible from the outside until the first damage appears. The plant’s flowering period can sometimes last from December to February. In any case, once flowering is over, watering can be reduced. Throughout the plant’s life, watering should only be done when the soil feels dry on the surface. It may be sufficient to water only once or twice a week in winter.
Christmas cactus prefers soils with an acidic pH and, if possible, peat. It is optional to use natural fertilizers during the flowering period to ensure the plant’s nutrition. Fertilization should be stopped when the flowers fall. If you do want to fertilize, it is best to do so in spring and summer, when physiological growth is underway.
4. How to propagate and multiply your Christmas cactus?
-
Propagation by cuttings
If you want to propagate your cactus, it is entirely possible to do so at home using the previous year’s stems that have been dried for a few days before planting. Proceed as follows:
Take a stem of the plant about 10 to 15 cm long.
Set the cutting aside for at least 48 hours.
Once it has dried, you can plant it in soil with a sandy mixture if possible, burying it at least 3 cm deep in the soil.
-
Propagation by hand pollination
Another way to propagate your Christmas cactus if you have at least two plants with different colored flowers is to use hand pollination. Basically, you need to use a small paintbrush to collect pollen from one plant and place it on the other, waiting for the plant to bear fruit. These will produce small seeds that can be planted in the spring.
5. Lifespan
Christmas cactus plants can have a very long lifespan, up to 20 or 30 years, making them an even more symbolic Christmas gift.
ADVERTISEMENT
