The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a reliable bloomer. With the right care and environment, this holiday-famous houseplant can bloom right around the holidays, with flowers appearing in late November and lasting through the winter months.
It can also bloom at other times throughout the year, depending on the care and environment.
To get your Christmas cactus to bloom, it needs a few months of short days and cool temperatures—approximately 55-65 degrees F. This really only applies in North America; if you live elsewhere in the world, check to see when the plant blooms in its native habitat.
In fall, your Christmas cactus should be relocated indoors about mid-October and begin a regular watering schedule. This will help your plant enter a “sleep” phase where it drops its leaves and begins the winter flowering process.
During this dormancy period, reduce water and make sure the plant will get at least 6-8 hours of darkness each day.
After about mid-November, night temperatures should stay between 45–50°F and days should be kept at 65°F or cooler. Now is also the time to begin fertilizer application; it should be applied around once a month.
When buds start to appear (usually late November or early December), stop fertilizing. When the buds are fully open, you can increase light exposure.
Your Christmas cactus should bloom at least once a year, typically late November through December. With the right care and environment, it can also bloom in the late spring and early summer. Furthermore, frequent pinching of shoots during the warm months can promote bloom in November and December.
A healthy Christmas cactus should continue to create new buds and spurts of flowers every few months!.
Does a Christmas cactus bloom twice a year?
No, a Christmas cactus does not bloom twice a year. This cactus typically blooms once in the late fall, usually blooming in response to the shorter days of this time of year. As the name implies, you should see your Christmas cactus in bloom for the holidays.
To keep your cactus healthy and blooming, provide the plant with bright, indirect light and regular watering during the blooming season. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and avoid wetting the plant’s foliage.
Before and after blooming, the Christmas cactus should be kept in a cool, slightly shaded area and given about half as much water. Dropping temperatures and reduced daylight hours in the fall will trigger the plant’s blooms.
When should I stop watering my Christmas cactus?
When watering a Christmas cactus, it’s important to ensure that the soil is kept moist but not overly wet. When it comes to knowing when and how much to water, a general rule of thumb is to allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering again.
During the blooming season, you should increase the amount of water and make sure the soil is always kept moist.
However, after the blooming period it’s important to reduce the amount of water you give the cactus and even let the soil dry out before you water it again. As the weather gets colder in the winter, you may want to reduce watering even further.
If you notice drooping leaves or the soil is dry 1-2 inches deep, then you may need to water it. However, if the leaves are still green and the soil is still moist then it likely does not need to be watered.
In general, you should stop watering the Christmas cactus when winter sets in, until spring arrives.
What do you do with a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
After a Christmas cactus has completed its flowering cycle, it is important to take good care of the plant to ensure it will bloom once again next season. The first step is to prune the cactus, cutting away any dead or dried flower heads.
It is also a good idea to remove any leaves that have yellowed and become damaged. After pruning, you can shape the plant to your preference.
Next, you will want to give the cactus a good watering and ensure that it has access to a bright, but indirect source of light. To keep it healthy and help it store energy for next season’s blooms, you should fertilize the cactus monthly during the spring and summer.
To encourage the cactus to set flowers for next season, it is important to reduce the amount of water and light it receives in fall and winter. Harvesting cooler night time temperatures and less water can help the Christmas cactus set flower buds for the following year.
Lastly, you should periodically check the cactus for any signs of disease or pests.
Why do the buds on my Christmas cactus fall off?
The primary reason why the buds on your Christmas cactus may be falling off is due to a lack of adequate water and/or too much light. Christmas cactus plants need plenty of regular hydration throughout the growing season, but not so much that the plant’s roots are kept constantly wet.
If the soil of your Christmas cactus is allowed to dry out too much, the buds may start to drop off the plant. Additionally, if the Christmas cactus plant is receiving too much direct light, the buds may also start to fall off.
Make sure to provide the Christmas cactus with a location in the home that doesn’t receive too much direct sunlight and that you are regularly checking the tips of your fingers when you water the plant.
If the soil starts to feel dry, provide the plant with an even and thorough watering. With the right combination of hydration, sunlight, and temperature, the buds on your Christmas cactus should remain firmly attached.
What is the lifespan of a Christmas cactus?
The lifespan of a Christmas cactus can range anywhere from 5-15 years depending on care. Proper care is key when it comes to your Christmas cactus living its longest life. In general, Christmas cactus should be kept in bright, indirect light and need to be watered often.
Overwatering, so be sure not to do this, can lead to root rot, which is something you should look out for– yellowing leaves, visible mold, and mushy stems are signs of root rot. Furthermore, it is important to fertilize your Christmas cactus during the summer growing season in order to promote good growth and health.
Winter is usually the dormancy period for a Christmas cactus, meaning the air should be dry, cool, and the amount of light should be reduced. During this dry period in winter, water should be reduced and only given when the soil is dry to the touch.
If a Christmas cactus is provided with the correct care, it should live a healthy and prosperous life for many years.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
Yes, coffee grounds can be beneficial for Christmas cactus plants. Coffee grounds offer an array of nutrients that will promote plant growth, such as nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The phosphorus in the grounds can encourage root growth, as it will supply the plant with energy and vigor.
Additionally, coffee grounds can help to maintain soil pH, as the grounds provide slight acidity. Finally, the grounds will help to aerate the soil, by providing fins that stimulate the movement of water.
Be sure to use only organic, untreated coffee grounds, and sprinkle them over the soil lightly. As with any addition to soil, use in moderation.
Can a Christmas cactus live in a dark room?
No, a Christmas cactus cannot live in a dark room. While some cacti species are adapted to living in low light or completely dark environments, Christmas cacti prefer bright, indirect sunlight in order to survive and thrive.
If you have a Christmas cactus and it is kept in a dark room, the leaves will start to lose their bright green color and darken into a dull gray. Additionally, the plant will become incredibly leggy and will not flower.
The same goes for fluorescent light, which cannot adequately provide the Christmas cactus with the light it needs. If you are looking to keep the Christmas cactus, try to place it near a window that gets ample sunlight but isn’t facing direct sunlight, as this will burn the cactus.
What causes a Christmas cactus to flower?
A Christmas cactus typically blooms around the Christmas holiday because its flowering is triggered by temperature and light exposure. Christmas cactuses require short days and long nights—meaning, they need exposure to 10-12 hours of darkness a day—in order to start flowering.
Low temperatures—between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit—also contribute to the blooming of a Christmas cactus. Without cool temperatures and long nights, the Christmas cactus will not produce flowers. Additionally, Christmas cactuses need plenty of direct sunlight during the day, specifically, exposure to 6 or more hours of bright light is recommended.
Therefore, in order for a Christmas cactus to flower, it must receive both regular exposure to direct sunlight and plenty of darkness and cooler temperatures.