They prefer bright, indirect light. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. … Avoid placing the plant where it receives either cold or hot air drafts. Placing the Christmas cactus on the window sill in a cool room and not turning on the lights is all that’s needed.
Keeping this in view, how often do you water a Christmas cactus?
How to Care for Christmas Cacti
- 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.
Simply so, 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.
Do Christmas cactus like bathrooms?
After blooming ceases, move them inside under a bathroom skylight where they love the shower steam. Water often to keep “soil” evenly moist, but make sure drainage is free and easy. Avoid water accumulations in a saucer or cachepot. If you haven’t been successful with Christmas cactus in the past, now you know why.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
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.
Do Christmas cactus like to be misted?
Instead of watering it like you would a traditional plant, you should be misting your cactus every day. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.
How long can Christmas cactus go without water?
While it is true that these plants prefer dry soil and have adapted to living in deserts, they still require a sufficient supply of water, especially during the growing season. How long can a cactus go without water? Typical desert cacti can survive for up to two years without water.
What fertilizer is best for Christmas cactus?
Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength. In addition, fertilize the plant with a monthly application of a magnesium sulfate solution at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water, but don’t apply the same week you add the plant food.
