How to Grow Schlumbergera x buckleyi Well? Latest Cultivation Methods Explained

Schlumbergera x buckleyi is a deeply loved indoor potted flower, also known as Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, crab cactus, etc. It is a plant of the genus Schlumbergera in the cactus family. Growing a robust potted Schlumbergera x buckleyi not only lets you enjoy brightly colored flowers, but also serves as a long-term indoor potted plant to delight the mood. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for Schlumbergera x buckleyi!

Growth Habits of Schlumbergera x buckleyi

In its place of origin, Schlumbergera x buckleyi grows epiphytically on tree trunks. It is a short-day plant that prefers a warm and humid climate. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-draining. During the growing season, the soil should be kept moist. Apply a dilute fertilizer once every two weeks. The optimal growing temperature is 15-25°C, and the winter temperature should be kept above 5°C. It is slightly shade-tolerant and should be placed in a semi-shaded environment. Protect it from strong direct sunlight in summer. During high summer temperatures it often goes dormant, at which time watering should be reduced. It is afraid of waterlogging and rain. It blooms in winter.

Propagation Methods of Schlumbergera x buckleyi

1. Cuttings: The best time for taking Schlumbergera x buckleyi cuttings is April to May. Take 1-4 stem segments or large branched stems for cuttings. When taking cuttings, do not let the wound touch water. Let it dry in a spot without direct sunlight for two to three days so the wound heals and does not easily rot. After inserting, place in a cool spot before rooting and water sparingly. Roots will form in about 20 days.

2. Grafting: Although Schlumbergera x buckleyi roots easily, its roots are fine and weak, intolerant of waterlogging, and its growth is poor. Therefore, it is often grafted onto other cactus plants with strong root systems to speed up growth. Common rootstocks include Opuntia, Pereskia, Echinopsis, and Hylocereus undatus.

Cultivation Methods for Schlumbergera x buckleyi

1. Temperature: Schlumbergera x buckleyi prefers warmth. The suitable growing temperature is 15-25°C. It is not cold-tolerant, and the overwintering temperature is best kept above 51°C. At 20°C growth is slow, and at 15°C growth stops. In low winter temperatures the plant is prone to cold damage, which causes grafted Schlumbergera x buckleyi plants to drop many flowers.

2. Light: Schlumbergera x buckleyi prefers semi-shade and dislikes strong direct sunlight. Too much light will make the plant turn yellow and withered, with shriveled stems and leaves. From May to September, shade should be provided; the rest of the time it needs ample sunlight. The formation and development of flower buds requires a continuous dark environment of 12-14 hours per day. During flower bud differentiation and bud formation, there should not be too bright a light at night, otherwise it will affect bud formation and blooming. During flowering, appropriate shading can extend the flowering time.

3. Watering: Schlumbergera x buckleyi is relatively drought-tolerant and dislikes waterlogging. During the spring and autumn growing periods, water should be supplied adequately to keep the potting soil moist, but do not water too much, otherwise it easily leads to root rot. During flowering, the potting soil should be moist but on the dry side. Watering too much and making the potting soil too wet will cause flower buds to wither and drop. During the dormant period after flowering and the semi-dormant period in summer, watering should be controlled, and rain exposure should be prevented. Too much watering or rain exposure in summer will cause root rot.

4. Fertilizing: Schlumbergera x buckleyi does not like heavy fertilizer, but because it produces many buds and flowers, it consumes a large amount of nutrients, so sufficient nutrients must be given for it to bloom normally. When the plant begins to grow in spring, apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer once every 10 days to make the new leaf-like stems thick and plump. In autumn when flower buds begin to differentiate, apply a phosphorus-based fertilizer once every 7-10 days to promote flower bud differentiation and flower bud growth. Insufficient nutrients often causes bud and flower drop. Fertilizer should be stopped during winter dormancy and summer semi-dormancy.

5. Pruning: In spring, prune Schlumbergera x buckleyi once when repotting, thinning out overly dense branches and shortening the remaining branches. Cutting off the front segments of the leaf-like stems can benefit leaf growth afterward and strengthen the plant's growth vigor. After buds appear, if there are too many buds, thin them out, generally keeping 1 flower bud per leaf-like stem.

6. Repotting: Repot Schlumbergera x buckleyi once every 2 years. Repotting is best done after flowering and before sprouting growth, combined with pruning. It prefers fertile soil with good drainage and aeration. The growing medium can be made from leaf mold, peat soil, rice husk ash, and other materials. When potting, prune dead roots and overly long old roots. Wait for the roots to dry before planting them in the pot.

Precautions for Growing Schlumbergera x buckleyi

1. In winter, Schlumbergera x buckleyi needs to be exposed to cold to go through a dormant stage. Without going through dormancy, it is very difficult to bloom.

2. Starting from mid-autumn, Schlumbergera x buckleyi should be given phosphorus and potassium fertilizer appropriately several times. After winter begins, avoid rain exposure.

3. After Schlumbergera x buckleyi has been exposed to cold in winter, keep it dry and do not water it at all until it is about to bloom. It will not die of dryness. Being both dry and cold, the branches will be red and soft, as if about to die, but this is actually exactly the effect you want.

4. After Schlumbergera x buckleyi enters spring, persist in not watering until the flower buds are as big as soybeans, then begin to water thoroughly. If you water before that, it will only grow branches and have few flower buds. If you persist in not watering, it will hardly grow branches and will only have flower buds, and especially many flower buds.