Why do Christmas cactus leaves turn red?
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a common flowering plant in parks, with very bright flowers, a long blooming period and easy care. There are many varieties of Christmas cactus, and different varieties also differ in flower color. Many people grow it at home to add a touch of new color. Recently a friend asked, why do the leaves of the Christmas cactus turn red during care? Another friend asked why the Christmas cactus they grow does not bloom. Let us take a look together below.
1. Reasons why Christmas cactus leaves turn red
1. Drought causes Christmas cactus leaves to turn red
Many flower lovers water the Christmas cactus once after buying it and then leave it alone. Long-term lack of water will make its leaves wilt and turn red. Of course, proper water control can encourage the Christmas cactus to produce flower buds, but this balance is hard to master, especially for beginners at growing flowers. Once it is not controlled well, drought will occur and cause the leaves to turn red. This kind of reddening generally starts from the stem segments and then spreads toward the roots.
2. Too low temperature causes Christmas cactus leaves to turn yellow
When the temperature drops, especially in winter, the Christmas cactus is very prone to leaves turning red, and it is very likely that low temperatures have caused its leaves to suffer cold damage.
3. Insufficient nutrients cause Christmas cactus leaves to turn yellow
Many flower lovers give the Christmas cactus enough base fertilizer and then never bother about whether it needs additional fertilizing. If it has never been given supplementary nutrients, and the leaves of the Christmas cactus have become dull, red and soft, it is very likely lacking potassium fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. In addition, long-term lack of nutrients can very likely cause slow growth in the Christmas cactus.
4. Root rot causes Christmas cactus leaves to turn yellow
The Christmas cactus is not a root-based flowering plant. If too much water is given and water accumulates in the potting soil, root rot is very likely to occur, so it cannot carry out respiration and provide nutrients and water to the plant. Gradually, the Christmas cactus will show soft, red and thinner leaves. There is another situation: if root rot occurs at low temperature but with sufficient light, it will cause its stem segments to turn red.
2. Reasons why Christmas cactus does not bloom
1. Lack of fertilizer
If you want the Christmas cactus to bloom on schedule, nutrients are indispensable. In addition to giving enough base fertilizer, properly applying organic fertilizer in the early stage of flowering can promote its blooming. Be sure not to use compound fertilizer, as it can easily cause root burn.
2. No proper pruning
If the excess dead branches and leaves of the Christmas cactus are not pruned in time, then part of the nutrients for the whole plant will also be absorbed by these branches and leaves, and the main stem will be short of nutrients, which will cause the Christmas cactus not to bloom or to bloom in a very small number. Therefore, when the flowers of the Christmas cactus wither, they should be cut off in time.
3. Unsuitable growing temperature
If you want the Christmas cactus to bloom, you must first ensure that its growing temperature is between 10-15℃. If it is too high or too low, the Christmas cactus will enter a dormant state. Not to mention blooming, the growth of the whole plant will slow down, and the leaves may also turn yellow and fall off.
4. Insufficient light
The Christmas cactus may also fail to bloom because of insufficient light, so one month before flowering we should ensure 3-4 hours of light every day. In this way, the flowering rate can be increased.
The above is an introduction to the reasons why Christmas cactus leaves turn red and why it does not bloom. Everyone can compare and see whether they have fallen into these misunderstandings in their own care.