How to Care for Your Cactus and Succulent Plants
Christmas cactus are popular Christmas gifts, but they’re also lovely houseplants in their own right. If you’ve been given a Christmas cactus or you’ve bought one, make sure to care for your plant well so it can thrive throughout the.
winter months and bloom beautifully at the holidays again next year! Follow these tips for caring for your Christmas cactus this season, and you’ll enjoy a beautiful, vibrant plant all season long.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is one of the most common cacti that you’ll find in florists, nurseries and department stores in December and early January. They are popular because they flower all at once and come in beautiful colors, such as red and pink, during the Christmas season, which explains the name Christmas Cactus. But caring for them correctly can be challenging if you don’t know what to do or understand the basics of their needs and preferences. Keep reading to learn more about proper care of Christmas cacti.
7 Tips For Caring for Your Chri
1) Light
Christmas cacti (also known as Schlumbergera) are a popular houseplant during the holiday season. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for them so they will last throughout the holidays and well into next year.
-Watering: The most important thing you need to do when caring for your Christmas cactus is watering it appropriately. It needs moist but not soggy soil that is kept evenly moist all day long.
2) Water
When it comes to watering your Christmas cactus, there are a few different schools of thought. Some people choose to water their plants every day, while others prefer a more infrequent schedule. The best way to determine what type of watering schedule is right for you is to figure out how often and how much your plant needs in order to keep its soil evenly moist.
3) Repotting
Christmas cacti should be repotted every two to three years. To do this, carefully remove the plant from its pot and place it on a surface that can hold water without seeping through. Fill the container with fresh soil, making sure not to pack too tightly and to leave a few inches between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. Water thoroughly until water begins to leak out around the sides of the pot.
4) Pests
The most common pests that attack Christmas cacti are the mealybug, scale, and red spider mite. All three of these pests suck sap from the plant. If you notice any of these pests on your plant, you should use a pesticide containing neem oil or insecticidal soap to kill them. You can also try spraying your plant with horticultural oil to suffocate the insects inside of their protective shells.
5) Temperature
Christmas cacti are easy to care for as long as you keep them in a warm place during the winter. The best temperature range is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If your house is too cold, consider placing it near a heater or by a sunny window where it can get some light.
6) Fertilizer
Cacti require a lot of sunlight, but not all the time. They need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce chlorophyll and grow properly. You should place your cactus in a spot where it will get bright light from sunrise to sunset. Make sure that the cacti doesn’t get too much direct sun, or else the leaves will burn and fall off. If you can’t provide enough light for your plant, try placing it near a window with morning or evening sun exposure.
7) Potting Soil (top-dressing)
Christmas cacti are native to the deserts of South America and Mexico. They prefer dry, hot climates and do best in well-drained soil with a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0. The plant should be potted in a light-colored porous potting mix that drains quickly, like cactus mix or a 50% peat moss/50% perlite mix
