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.
Beside this, can Christmas cactus survive inside?
This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for but propagates easily too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving.
Herein, 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.
Should I water my 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.
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.
Should Christmas cactus be inside or outside?
Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Some growers move plants to the shade of a porch or patio for the summer.
When should I bring my Christmas cactus inside?
As fall approaches and temperatures begin to drop, take your cactus indoors. 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.
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.
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.
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.
How do you care for Christmas cactus after they bloom?
After blooming, fertilize the plant every month beginning when you see new growth at the end of winter or the first of spring. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength.
