How to care for Christmas cactus in winter? Do these things well to get it safely through the winter
The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a cactus-family plant native to tropical and subtropical regions, and in our country it is mostly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and flower nurseries. As everyone knows, tropical plants are usually not cold-tolerant, and the Christmas cactus is no exception. So in our country, especially in the northern regions, how should the Christmas cactus overwinter? Today Qinnong Net will explain how to care for the Christmas cactus in winter, and see how this tropical plant can safely get through the winter in our country.
1. Temperature
The Christmas cactus is not cold-tolerant; its most suitable temperature during the growing period is 20°C-25°C, and the minimum winter temperature must not fall below 10°C, otherwise there is a risk of frost damage. Therefore, as winter arrives and the temperature gradually drops, the Christmas cactus should be moved indoors in good time, keeping the indoor temperature above 20°C; during the flowering period the temperature can be lowered appropriately to 10°C-15°C. Cooling down requires a certain process, so do not cause too great a temperature difference within a single day.
2. Light
Winter is the flowering period of the Christmas cactus. To make the plant bloom healthily, it must be given sufficient light, maintaining 8-10 hours of light per day, which can ensure the normal development of flower buds. At the same time, the flower pot should be turned frequently so that all sides of the Christmas cactus grow evenly.
3. Watering
The Christmas cactus quite likes a moist environment, but sometimes it is grafted onto rootstock that prefers dryness. Follow the principle of preferring dry over wet; there must be no standing water in the flower pot, especially in winter, when water evaporates slowly, and once watering is excessive it easily forms standing water, which readily leads to root rot. It is usually recommended to water once a week, but during the plant's flowering period you can frequently spray water on the Christmas cactus to keep the flowering stems moist.
4. Fertilizing
Unlike most flowers, winter is the flowering period of the Christmas cactus rather than its dormant period, so in winter the Christmas cactus needs sufficient nutrients. Winter fertilizing is mainly phosphorus fertilizer, applying decomposed liquid fertilizer every 7-10 days. Alternatively, spray the leaf surfaces with potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to ensure normal growth of the flower buds. Once the flowering period begins, to ensure continuous blooming, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once every 10-15 days.
5. Pruning
Christmas cacti are usually grown at home by grafting, and such plants grow rather vigorously, but at the same time poor development and diseased conditions can also appear. When the density of the plant's branches is too great, they can be thinned appropriately to ensure that each stem segment bears one of the healthiest and largest flower buds, cutting away the other flower buds and flower heads. This helps reduce the loss of nutrients and makes the plant's flowers bloom more brilliantly.
The above is what Qinnong Net brings you regarding winter care methods for the Christmas cactus. Winter is the flowering period of the Christmas cactus; after a whole year of growing, when the time to harvest has finally come, care at this point must not be neglected. In winter the Christmas cactus may very likely wilt or produce small or few flowers. At such times you should comprehensively consider where the problem lies in your own care routine, and not blindly add more fertilizer and water.