How Many Times a Year Can a Christmas Cactus Actually Bloom?
The Christmas cactus, also known as crab claw orchid, "beauty added to beauty," and crab orchid, is an epiphytic succulent plant of the genus Schlumbergera in the cactus family. It is commonly cultivated in parks and flower nurseries across China, and is often grafted onto Hylocereus undatus or other rootstocks to obtain vigorous plants. Because its stem segments grow long and become pendulous, it is also often made into hanging baskets for decoration. Let's take a look below at how many times a year the Christmas cactus blooms!
How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
A Christmas cactus generally blooms twice a year. The first time is around April, and the second time is three to four months after the first bloom. Some Christmas cacti bloom three times a year, basically blooming three to four months after the previous bloom, but because of differences in environment and the health of the plant, the timing, sequence, and duration of blooming also vary.
When does a Christmas cactus bloom?
A Christmas cactus generally begins blooming in September, and the flowering period can last 2 to 3 months. The suitable temperature for the growth period of a Christmas cactus is 18 to 23°C, and the suitable flowering temperature is 10 to 15°C, not exceeding 25°C. Because the Christmas cactus blooms in winter when temperatures are relatively low, it needs to be moved indoors with the room temperature kept at around 15°C so that normal blooming is not affected.
Why doesn't a Christmas cactus bloom?
1. Improper lighting: The Christmas cactus is a short-day plant. If it receives more than 10 to 12 hours of light per day, it will have difficulty forming flower buds. In addition, if there is ample light during the day and strong electric lighting indoors at night, this will also affect bud formation and blooming.
2. Unsuitable temperature: If a Christmas cactus has already formed buds but still does not bloom when the time comes, then it may be because the room temperature is too low. At this point, the pot should be moved to a warm room, and keeping the temperature above 15°C will allow it to bloom on schedule; after blooming, move it back to the original room for viewing.
3. Excessive temperature difference: During the bud formation period of a Christmas cactus, too great a difference between day and night temperatures will damage the already formed buds or cause bud drop. For this reason, from mid-October to mid-November, before it is brought indoors, it should be moved indoors in time for temporary shelter, exposed to more sunlight outdoors during the day to encourage more bud formation, and brought indoors to spend the night.
How should a Christmas cactus be grown to do well?
1. Pot selection: For a Christmas cactus, clay pots, plastic pots, porcelain pots, or ceramic pots can be used, but clay pots are best. To coordinate with home decor, plastic flower pots in various colors can be used for cultivation. It is best to choose a pot whose diameter is 2/3 of the plant's crown diameter.
2. Soil: The Christmas cactus likes fertile, loose soil. At home, you can use 3 parts garden soil, 4 parts leaf mold, and 3 parts sand, or 4 parts peat soil, 2 parts leaf mold, 2 parts sand, and 2 parts perlite (or volcanic rock). After mixing the soil, it is best to sterilize it at high temperature before use.
3. Watering: The cultivation environment for a Christmas cactus requires partial shade and moisture, but the potting soil must not be too wet; follow the principle of "water thoroughly only after the soil has dried out." In hot seasons, water once every 2 to 3 days, and avoid watering at noon. In winter, when temperatures are lower, water once a week, and avoid watering in the evening.
4. Fertilizing: The Christmas cactus likes fertilizer. When fertilizer is sufficient, it has many branches and many flowers. During the growing season, fertilize once every 15 to 20 days. In late autumn, the frequency of fertilizing should be reduced, and fertilizing should stop when the temperature is below 10°C. Do not fertilize when summer temperatures are high or winter temperatures are low.
5. Light: The Christmas cactus fears hot, high temperatures, and should be protected from direct sun and rain. In summer, it should be placed in a ventilated indoor spot or on a balcony facing away from the sun. After the beginning of autumn, it should be placed in a location with 50% light, and then as the weather turns cooler, gradually increase the light. From late autumn to winter, it should be given ample light.