how to care for a christmas cactus uk

If the soil gets too dry the flowers buds will drop and the plant will wilt. April to September is the main growing season for Christmas cacti so move the plant back into a warmer position with a temperature around 18-20C 65-68F increase watering and feed monthly with a liquid houseplant feed.

How To Get This Cactus To Flower At Christmas Evening Standard

Every few years completely replace the.

. Known as the Christmas cactus because it puts on such a wonderful eye-catching floral display over the Christmas period and makes a great Christmas gift. Remove the plant from a humid environment like a bathroom with a shower to bring down the humidity levels. Christmas cactus holiday cactus crab cactus.

Feed your plant during the growing season which in the UK is between March and October. Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Water your Christmas cactus when the top inch of its soil feels dry to the touch.

Do not allow it to dry completely in between waterings. Follow these pointers to keep your Christmas cactus healthy. They also add a touch of greenery to your indoor decor mirroring any similar festive outdoor Christmas decorating ideas that you may have introduced to your.

Improve humidity by using gravel-filled saucers to place your plants upon and keep this moist. Your Christmas cactus leaves may become limp mainly due to two reasons. Cacti and succulents are easily recognisable by their fleshy leaves or stems in which they store water.

Stop watering your plant for 6 weeks after flowering finishes in January. How to care for a Christmas cactus. The Christmas Cactus takes its name from the fact that it usually flowers in wintertime giving your home a splash of colour when most plants are without.

It is important to keep the soil of your Christmas cactus moist but not overwatered. Consequently the plants leaves may tend to become limp and droopy after they finish flowering. Heres how its done.

A potting soil with pH value of 55 to 60 is ideal. As the plants can grow quite wide it is better to grow them in a wide rather than deep pot to give them stability and prevent them falling over. When the plant is in bloom water it more often.

Taking Christmas cactus cuttings is easy to do. It flowers abundantly at the end of each stem. Unlike most desert cacti this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil.

Too much direct sunlight might burn the leaves so opt for a room with. During the growing season its best to maintain a temperature of 64468F 18-20C. Christmas Cactus care guide.

Allow Christmas cactus moisture levels to drop and dry out some between watering intervals but never completely and never let the plant sit in water as this will lead to root and stem rot. The Christmas cactus tends to develop long stems which droop rather than being upright. They prefer a semi-shade situation as oppose to a full sun aspect of desert-dwelling cacti.

So water whenever the soil feel dry really drench it with water then let the excess completely drain. How to Care for Easter Cactus These plants perform best in bright light but not direct sunlight. Mix in sand if necessary to increase permeability and prevent waterlogging 1 part sand to 3 parts soil.

Make sure soil is loose and water permeable. Ad Compare Prices Read Reviews. Christmas cacti need a well-drained compost so either use a compost specifically recommended for cacti and succulents or use a multi-purpose compost with added John Innes plus some added grit.

Hold off on watering again until the soil is dry. A Christmas cactus is a tropical cactus not a desert cactus. Water a Christmas cactus with care.

You can soak its soil until the water runs through the drainage holes of its container. If the Christmas cactus doesnt get enough water it will drop its flower buds before they even open. Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.

Keep your Christmas cactus out of direct light and water when the compost begins to dry out on the surface. Unlike desert cacti they need cooler temperatures even during the day and will bloom for months in nighttime temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees F. Adjust the light and amount.

They do need more water than most cacti. Create a drainage layer. Taking Christmas cactus cuttings.

Avoid standing it in water as it will succumb to root rot. Free Shipping on Qualified Orders. Care for Christmas cacti changes from season to season.

An ideal situation would be well-lit yet out of direct sunlight with a humid atmosphere. The plant requires frequent and thorough watering during its active growth in spring and summer keeping the soil slightly moist. Use a good quality general.

If you are buying this plant around Christmas. Because of this the Christmas cactus prefers a care routine with a consistent yet minimal watering schedule and a coarse yet balanced potting soil that allows for optimal drainage. Christmas cactus moisture is important as well.

Place the plant near a window but stay away from direct sunlight. Caring for this plant can be a bit tricky as you need to take care not to overwater or underwater it. Shriveling stems can occur when the plant is too hot or is down to incorrect watering whether too much or too little.

Spreading up to 45 cm 18 inches in diameter Christmas cacti do best in a wide pot rather than one which is too deep since this stops them falling over. They come in a huge range of shapes colours and forms some covered in spines others smooth or furry some gently rounded others angular and sculptural. Their leaves may be limp due to flowering of the Christmas cactus.

The best time to take cuttings is in late spring when the plant is growing. Remove a section of stem containing 2-3 leaf segments. Once they produce flowers they consume a lot of energy for that purpose.

How To Care For A Christmas Cactus Bbc Gardeners World Magazine