Master 5 key points for potted Christmas cactus, and big red buds will bloom in wave after wave until next year

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Autumn has arrived, and the Christmas cactus of gardening friends is about to enter its flowering period. The Christmas cactus originally grew attached to tree trunks or in shady rock crevices, so we need to pay more attention to shading during regular care according to its physiological needs. In autumn the weather turns cooler, and the Christmas cactus is also about to slowly bloom. So how should we care for the Christmas cactus in autumn to extend its flowering period and make the buds bloom more vividly?

NO.1 Temperature

6-20°C is the most suitable temperature for the Christmas cactus to grow!

The Christmas cactus likes a warm, shaded environment with good ventilation. Around early autumn the weather changes greatly, so pay attention to shading when the sunlight is strong to prevent the Christmas cactus from being exposed to intense light. After Frost's Descent, when the temperature drops, move the Christmas cactus indoors to a sunny spot in time to prevent frost damage caused by too low a temperature. The most suitable temperature for the Christmas cactus to grow is 6-20°C; when it is higher or lower, its flowering and growth will be affected!

NO.2 Fertilizing

During flower bud differentiation, mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, applying thin fertilizer frequently!

For the Christmas cactus, September to October each year is the key period for flower bud differentiation. During this period, fertilizing should mainly use phosphorus fertilizer, control the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, and apply little or no nitrogen fertilizer. It is recommended to use 20% cake fertilizer water as a top dressing, applying it once every 7 days. Cake fertilizer water contains a relatively high amount of phosphorus, which can promote the formation of flower buds. After entering the flowering period, in order to keep the Christmas cactus blooming continuously, apply a thin fertilizer once every 10 days!

During the bud emergence period, be sure to provide sufficient fertilizer and water, especially phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and try not to apply nitrogen fertilizer. This is to prevent excessive vegetative growth of the Christmas cactus stems and leaves, so as to avoid consuming too many nutrients and affecting the formation of flower buds! During the bud period, applying once every 7 days a diluted fertilizer liquid of decomposed chicken manure, fish tank water, and bone meal is enough! Pay attention to the amount of watering; watering when the potting soil is dry is most suitable!

NO.3 Watering

In autumn, water once every 2-3 days; in winter, water once every 4-5 days!

The Christmas cactus likes to grow in a moist environment. After early autumn the weather is relatively unstable, with temperatures fluctuating high and low. At this time, pay attention to the amount of water given to the Christmas cactus. When the weather is hot, watering once a day is enough; normally, water once every 2-3 days to keep the potting soil continuously moist. After entering winter, the temperature drops and evaporation decreases, so at this time you can water once every 4-5 days. Pay special attention that when the Christmas cactus enters the bud emergence period, the potting soil must absolutely not be alternately dry and wet, to avoid causing the flower buds to drop!

NO.4 Regular pruning

Proper pruning during the bud period keeps the plant looking neat!

The Christmas cactus can be pruned after the bud period has formed. The main purpose of pruning is to cut off uneven claw segments and thin out overly dense and overly weak flower buds. This can ensure that the overall shape of the Christmas cactus is symmetrical and attractive, and can also concentrate the nutrients within the Christmas cactus, making the plant grow more vigorously when flowering and helping to extend the flowering period! In autumn, during care, place the Christmas cactus in a sunny position, try to avoid the periods of strong light, and let it receive sufficient sunlight, which can promote its growth!

NO.5 Timely bud thinning

During the flowering period, pinch off the tips in time to prevent the flower buds from wilting due to insufficient nutrients!

The flower buds of the Christmas cactus generally form officially in mid-to-late October. At the top of a stem segment, generally 2-3 flower buds grow at the same time. At this time, be sure to thin the buds in time, keeping the largest one at the top and removing the rest. Sometimes at the top of a stem segment, a young stem and a flower bud also grow at the same time. At this time, remove the young stem to avoid the flower bud at the top wilting due to insufficient nutrients!

These are the experiences Teacher Xiaoye has summarized from daily care of the Christmas cactus in autumn and during the flowering period. If gardening friends find this troublesome, Teacher Xiaoye recommends using a bag of Yehong Time Microbial Fertilizer, which can help the Christmas cactus extend its flowering period, promote the differentiation and formation of flower buds, and let the Christmas cactus at home bloom one bud after another continuously until the Spring Festival!

End

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