Christmas Cactus
By Elaine Haines, Pike County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener
It’s that time of year again when we see an abundance of Christmas Cacti in the stores. We remember fondly the wonderful specimens our grandmothers raised with beautiful blooms during the holiday season. Perhaps you bought them in the past, full of blooms, only to despair of ever getting them to bloom again or to bloom in time for the holidays.
Christmas Cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii, is an epiphytic cactus from S.E. Brazil. Because of the tropical nature of the plant, it is grown as a houseplant in climates where temperatures fall below 50 degrees. There are several species of Schlumbergera blooming in a variety of colors from white to dark red. A Christmas Cactus can be put outside during the warm summer months as long as it does not receive direct sunlight. A partially shaded area that does not receive too much rainfall is ideal. Be sure to check your plants for pesky insects before returning them indoors, and it is a good idea clean and isolate them for a week before joining your other indoor plants.
Cultivation of Christmas Cactus is relatively simple. It thrives on bright indirect light found in south facing windows. Moderate watering and humidity along with a high potash liquid fertilizer applied monthly from April through November will encourage growth. After blooming, it is best to give the plant a rest by limiting watering and not fertilizing until the days are longer and the plant begins to grow. Christmas Cactus prefers to be root bound, so it should not be repotted more than every three to four years. When repotting, use a light, acid, mostly peat potting mixture. Cuttings of stem sections can be taken in spring. Keep them moist in the same potting mixture used for repotting and they will form roots within a few weeks. If you accidentally break off a piece of stem, it can be rooted in the same manner.
The secret to getting your Christmas Cactus to bloom for the holidays is also easy. If you want blooms for Christmas, you have to do a minimal amount of preparation. About six to eight weeks before the holidays, place your cactus in a cool room where you do not turn on the lights regularly. Decrease watering to a very small amount every ten days to two weeks. After three to four weeks, begin regular watering and return your cactus to its normal spot with plenty of indirect sunlight. Within two to three weeks, you will see the beginning of flower buds forming on the ends of the stems. During the blooming period, you may need to water more than usual with a light liquid fertilizer so that the plant does not droop. Well-established plants will bloom for several weeks. Christmas Cactus can bloom more than once per year if the conditions are conducive to the bloom cycle. Shorter days, less water, and cool temperatures are the key components to success with this old fashioned plant that provides so many wonderful memories.
Reference: The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.
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