Christmas cactus are everywhere during the holiday season, with good reason. They're gorgeous blooming succulents that can live
up to 100 years
! That's right! This plant, when properly cared for, will survive for decades.
How often do you water a Christmas cactus?
- Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. …
- From spring through early fall, feed every 2 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. …
- Prune plants in late spring to encourage branching and more flowers.
How long do Christmas cactus live indoors?
In an ideal setting, an outdoor cactus plant can survive for up to 200 years or more. However, indoor plants have to adapt to a new environment and new conditions which tend to destabilize the plant. On average, an indoor cactus plant will survive for
ten years
.
What is the oldest Christmas cactus?
They discovered the cactus was actually
111 years old
. Bohnet, Miller's great-grandmother, gifted the plant to Jacquie Biloff's mother-in-law Gladys Biloff in 1952 after the then 50-year-old plant became too large for her home.
How do I know if my Christmas cactus is dying?
A holiday cactus with root rot displays wilted, limp, sagging growth, but
an inspection of the roots
will tell the tale. Remove the plant gently from its pot. If the cactus is affected by rot, the roots will display blackened tips.
Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade?
They
prefer bright, indirect light
. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. The “trick” to getting Christmas cactus to bloom in the following years after purchase comes down to two things: light and temperature.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
In general, water a Christmas
cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry
. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn't be sitting directly in water). The air will become more humid as the water evaporates.
Is a Christmas cactus actually a cactus?
The Christmas cactus (
Schlumbergera bridgesii
) blooms for a long time indoors with some of the most exotic-looking flowers in the plant kingdom. This cactus is a very popular plant, but most people are not aware of its special needs.
How cold can a Christmas cactus stand?
They may
tolerate short periods of temperatures below 50 degrees
, but they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. All of the cacti are short-day plants. They require 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily to produce blossoms.
How old is a Christmas cactus before it blooms?
Christmas cactus plants should continue receiving dark, cool treatment for at least six to eight weeks, or until buds begin forming. Once buds have formed, it usually takes
up to 12 weeks
(or less) for blooms to appear.
How do you rejuvenate a Christmas cactus?
Use a
good quality potting soil at two parts potting soil to one part sand or vermiculite
, assuring sharp drainage. Even if the soil is not soggy, repotting may be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas cactus.
Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
The answer is simple, yes!
Coffee grounds can work on almost any type of cactus or succulent
. … Most water has an alkaline pH of around 8, whereas cactus like between 5.8 – 7 pH. This means that each time you water your Christmas cactus or succulent, you are actually feeding it a higher pH than what it likes.
How do you take care of a dying Christmas cactus?
Wilted or limp Christmas cactus is sometimes caused by a lack of water or too much direct sunlight. If you've neglected to water the limp Christmas cactus, begin by giving the plant a limited drink.
Continue to water sparingly every few days until the soil is lightly moist
.
Do Christmas cactus like bathrooms?
Christmas cactus, as opposed to Easter cactus, are part of the Buckleyi group which descend from Schlumbergia russelliana, which is identified by downward facing flowers with pink pollen. … After blooming ceases, move them inside under a
bathroom skylight
where they love the shower steam.
Should you water a Christmas cactus when it is blooming?
A lack of water and dramatic temperature swings can cause flower buds to drop more rapidly. … Watering:
Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming
, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Put your forest cactus in a dark closet for 14 hours a night,
starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom
. Bring it back out into a bright location during daylight hours. Once buds begin to form, the closet treatment is no longer needed, and the plant should bloom beautifully for the holidays.
