How to grow potted Christmas cactus? Master four key points for easy blooming
Christmas cactus, also known as crab cactus and "adding beauty to the already beautiful," gets its name because its stem segments resemble a crab's claws. It carries the auspicious meaning of "fortune rising" and "turning one's luck around," so it is very suitable for growing indoors. So how should Christmas cactus be grown in the bedroom? What are the key points to note?
1. How should Christmas cactus be grown in the bedroom? What are the key points to note?
Christmas cactus is very easy to keep alive. Generally, indoors, as long as you manage factors such as temperature, light, water and fertilizer well, you can successfully keep it alive. The specific growing methods and key points are as follows:
1. How to grow Christmas cactus?
(1) Choosing a pot: Christmas cactus is a succulent plant, so when choosing a flower pot, try to use plastic pots, ceramic pots, clay pots, etc. However, personally I suggest clay pots are better, as they allow the root system to grow better.
(2) Choosing soil: Christmas cactus does not have high soil requirements; generally, as long as it is loose and fertile, it is fine. Beginners can use peat soil, leaf mold, perlite, garden soil, etc., mixed evenly and it is ready to use. However, when preparing the potting soil, it is best to sterilize it at high temperature or expose it to strong sunlight, to prevent bacteria from growing and harming the plant's root system.
(3) Watering: Christmas cactus belongs to the cactus family, so it does not have high water requirements; generally, just keep the potting soil moist. Usually, watering once every 2 days in summer and once a week in winter is best, and when watering, follow the principle of “water thoroughly only when dry.”
(4) Fertilizing: Christmas cactus likes fertilizer; generally, applying a general-purpose fertilizer once every 15 days or so is enough. When fertilizing, try not to fertilize during high summer temperatures or low winter temperatures, to avoid burning the roots. At the same time, in autumn, also control the frequency of fertilizing, to avoid too much fertilizer burning the roots.
(5) Light: Christmas cactus does not have high light requirements; generally, just give it a certain amount of light. In summer, avoid exposure to strong sun, and in late autumn or winter, scattered light is enough for it to grow vigorously.
(6) Flowering regulation: Christmas cactus is a short-day plant, so if you want a long flowering period, you need to extend it through regulation. Generally, about 60-70 days before flowering, give the plant short-day treatment, providing 8 hours of natural light each day, and after about 20 consecutive days, flower buds will appear.
(7) Pest and disease control: During the growth period, Christmas cactus often develops diseases such as rot and leaf blight due to poor ventilation, high temperatures, and overwatering. So during cultivation, ensure good ventilation and water control, and apply chemical control to diseased leaves, etc., to reduce the occurrence of diseases.
2. What are the key points for growing Christmas cactus?
(1) Control light: In spring, autumn and winter, try to move it to a place with light, to promote flower bud blooming.
(2) Repot regularly: Generally, change the potting soil once every 1-2 years, and before changing the potting soil, disinfect the flower pot to prevent bacterial infection.
(3) Shaping and pruning: After Christmas cactus has grown for a period of time, it should be shaped and pruned, to avoid the plant being top-heavy and affecting its appearance.
(4) Reasonable watering: During the dormant period of Christmas cactus, watering should be controlled, to avoid too much water in the potting soil causing root rot. When the tips begin to sprout, then start watering, and follow the principle of “do not water if not dry; when watering, water thoroughly; and before watering again, let it dry thoroughly.”
2. How often is it best to water Christmas cactus?
1. Spring watering time: Generally, just water once when the potting soil is almost dry, and when watering, adopt the principle of “do not water if not dry; when watering, water thoroughly; and before watering again, let it dry thoroughly.”
2. Summer watering time: Generally, watering once every 2-3 days is best, and when watering, just keep the soil moist; never overwater, to avoid root rot. It is worth noting that during high summer temperatures, watering should be stopped, to avoid affecting plant growth.
3. Autumn watering time: Generally, just keep the soil moist. In addition, while watering, also provide nutrients appropriately; generally, applying liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer once a week is best, to promote root growth.
4. Winter watering time: Generally, watering once every 7-10 days is enough, and as the temperature rises, gradually increase the frequency of watering, but never overwater, to avoid root rot.
In summary, to grow Christmas cactus well, you must do a good job with basic management such as light, water, fertilizer and soil, and at different stages, adopt different watering methods according to the plant's growth condition.