Why does the Christmas cactus wilt as soon as it blooms?

Many flower lovers say the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is beautiful but hard to grow. They always look forward to it blooming, but after the flowers finish, or even as soon as it blooms, the stem segments and flowers go soft and wilt. This is the most common problem encountered when growing Christmas cacti. So what is the cause? And how should you deal with it?

I believe anyone who grows flowers knows that blooming consumes a large amount of energy. When the Christmas cactus blooms, it consumes the nutrients stored in its stem segments. So after blooming, the stem segments going soft and wiltedis a normal phenomenon.

So how do you improve this situation?

1. During the growing period, that is, before blooming, you need to provide appropriate nutrients. The Christmas cactus prefers potassium fertilizer, followed by nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. You can use a fertilizer with an N.P.K ratio of 30:15:20 or 40:20:30. In winter, because the temperature drops, the plant's metabolism will also slow down. At this time, you can spray the stem segments once a week with a 1:1000 potassium dihydrogen phosphate liquid fertilizer.

2. The Christmas cactus is an epiphytic cactus. In nature, it often grows epiphytically on trees or in moist valleys, so the environment we cultivate it in should also be semi-shaded and humid, but the potting soil must not be too wet. Generally, water only after the soil has dried out completely, and water thoroughly when you do. In winter, you can appropriately reduce the watering frequency.

3. During the blooming period, you need to pay specialattention to controlling water. During this period, the Christmas cactus is relatively fragile and very prone to root rot.

4. When wilting appears, place itin a ventilated spot with indirect light, and remember not to put it in direct sunlight. Supplement fertilizer appropriately, preferably organic fertilizer. For those that are wilting quite severely, you can remove part of them, about one or two stem segments.

The key to growing a good Christmas cactus is to do a good job of controlling water and controlling fertilizer.

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