Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Christmas Cactus and How to Fix Them
The stem segments of the Christmas cactus often become pendulous because they grow too long, making it very suitable for decorating windowsills, entranceways and exhibition halls. Yellowing leaves are a fairly common problem when growing Christmas cactus. Since there are many reasons for yellowing leaves on Christmas cactus, you need to care for and maintain it more carefully. Let's take a look below at what to do when Christmas cactus leaves turn yellow!
Growing Environment Conditions for Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus is commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It likes cool, warm environments, is relatively drought-tolerant, fears the high heat of summer, and is fairly shade-tolerant. The optimal growing temperature is 20-25°C, and the temperature during the dormant period is around 15°C. It prefers loose, organic-rich, well-draining and breathable substrate. Christmas cactus is a short-day plant. Under conditions of 8-10 hours of sunlight per day, it can bloom in 2-3 months, and the flowering period can be regulated by controlling light.
Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Christmas Cactus
Yellowing leaves on Christmas cactus simply mean that the environment it is in differs too much from the ideal environment, such as insufficient nutrients, humidity too low, cold snaps, compacted soil, pests and diseases, or potting soil too dry. During cultivation you can rule these out one by one based on these causes. There are also two important disease-causing factors worth noting. First, after flowering the Christmas cactus goes through a period of dormancy during which the plant stops growing; at this time, overwatering and soggy potting soil will cause leaves to turn yellow. Second, light is stronger in spring and summer, and if it is grown outdoors without shade, the leaves will also turn yellow.
What to Do When Christmas Cactus Leaves Turn Yellow?
1. Fertilizer: The Christmas cactus does not need much fertilizer during its normal growing period, but after entering the bud stage it needs a timely supplement of some fertilizer so the plant grows vigorously, flower buds differentiate well, and the buds develop normally and plump up. If it lacks fertilizer, buy some potassium dihydrogen phosphate, mix it with water and then water the plant with it, which can relieve the problem.
2. Watering: Watering must be done with restraint; do not water too frequently. Do not water until the surface of the potting soil is dry, and when you do water, water thoroughly. Especially in winter, it must be based on how dry the surface of the potting soil is. Of course, it is only drought-tolerant, not a plant that likes drought, so you cannot let the potting soil become too dry, otherwise the same problem will occur. You must ensure both sufficient room temperature and no exposure to cold drafts.
3. Humidity: Do not place the Christmas cactus on a radiator or in the airflow of an air conditioner, otherwise the leaves will dehydrate faster and the plant's leaves will turn yellow.
4. Pests: Strictly guard against red spider mites and scale insects. When they occur, spray targeted pesticides for control, such as Mite-Clear and Kelan for controlling red spider mites, and methidathion and Jiebidie for killing scale insects.
5. Dormancy: The Christmas cactus has two vigorous growth periods and two semi-dormant periods each year, and watering and fertilizing must follow this growth pattern. Since it likes semi-shade, different placement positions must be chosen in different seasons.