The Christmas Cactus has been a favorite of gardeners and plant enthusiasts for many years. This plant, also known as the Schlumbergera, is native to Brazil and comes in a variety of colors that range from white to pink, yellow, and red. It is often gifted around the holiday season because it blooms around this time. If you have a Christmas Cactus and are wondering why it hasn’t bloomed, then you came to the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks on how to make your Christmas Cactus to bloom.
One common misconception is that many people believe they own a Christmas Cactus when in fact, it could be a Thanksgiving Cactus. These two plants are often confused due to their similarities and blooming seasons. The primary difference lies in the shape of their leaves. The Christmas Cactus has rounded leaf edges whereas the Thanksgiving Cactus carries a more jagged leaf pattern. If your plant is blooming earlier than December, you most likely own a Thanksgiving Cactus, which typically starts to bloom in late November.
Right Amount of Light
Christmas Cactus needs a certain amount of light to form flower buds. During the fall, the days get shorter, and the plant begins to sense the seasonal change, which is why it begins to form flower buds. This is called photoperiodism. To achieve this, you need to provide your plant with at least 12-14 hours of darkness every day for about 4-6 weeks. You can achieve this by covering the plant with a dark cloth at night or moving it to a dark area during the night.
Maintain the Right Temperatures
Christmas Cactus thrives in temperatures between 60 and 70°F. Keep in mind that this plant is sensitive to temperature changes, so make sure to provide it with a consistent temperature. Avoid placing the plant near any drafts or heat vents that can cause temperature fluctuations.
Watering Schedule
Christmas Cactus plants like to be moist, but they also don’t like being overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can ultimately kill the plant. Make sure to water your plant once the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. During the fall, reduce the frequency of watering to encourage the plant to bloom.
Fertilization
To help your Christmas Cactus bloom, you need to provide it with the right nutrients. You can do this by feeding your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season, and then switch to a high phosphorus fertilizer to encourage blooming. Once the plant starts blooming, you can stop fertilizing.
Pruning
To encourage blooming, you need to encourage your plant to grow bushier. One way to do this is by pinching back the plant’s stem after it has finished blooming. This will encourage the plant to grow more branches and more Blooms next year!
Happy Gardening!
With these tips and tricks, you can force your Christmas Cactus to bloom. Remember to provide your plant with adequate light, maintain the right temperature, water it on a schedule, provide it with the right nutrients, and prune it to encourage bushier growth. With patience and care, you can enjoy a lovely blooming Christmas Cactus.
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