Christmas Cactus…

If you have a Christmas Cactus, you are aware of the beautiful blooms that it provided during the Christmas season. Even though Poinsettias may remain the most popular holiday plants, Christmas Cactus is not far behind and makes an excellent gift for the gardener in your life. Whether you have a Christmas Cactus or you have given one away as a gift, caring for them after the Christmas season is not difficult, making it possible to enjoy for many years to come.

Caring for your Christmas Cactus begins with the location where it is placed. This location will need to be where it is cooler, there is no drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other hot air sources and is sunny. The more sun the plant gets the more blooms it will produce. The next factor is watering the plant. Christmas cactus are not as drought tolerant as other cacti, but are succulent plants, meaning that they can store water in their leaves. When the soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to water thoroughly by letting the water run through the pot, then pour out the excess water and do not water again until the soil is dry to the touch.

Well-drained soil is another factor needed to ensure proper care of this plant. A commercially packaged potting soil, formulated for succulent plants can be used, or the gardener can mix their own by combining two parts of common potting soil with one part sand or vermiculite. As soon as the last possible threat of frost has passed, Christmas Cactus can be put outside in a shady or semi-shady area, just like other houseplants. By keeping all these factors in mind, a Christmas Cactus will be healthy and be ready to begin the flowering season.

Of course, Christmas Cactus have to be encouraged to bloom at the right time of the year. This is possible by giving it long, interrupted, dark periods. This dark treatment should begin October 1st, when the plant will should get 12 hours of total darkness each night for about 3 weeks. Cooler night temperatures, 50-55 degrees, began early November will also encourage the plant to bloom, as will drier soil. Once the flower buds begin to form, it is time to take the plant out of the dark and place it in a bright area. The temperature can increase as well as the watering regime. Now the Christmas Cactus should bloom throughout the Christmas season.

After the Christmas season is over and the Christmas Cactus has finished blooming, the plant can be pruned. This pruning will encourage the plant to branch out and serves as a way to propagate the plant. This pruning is accomplished by pinching off the desired sections or cutting it off with a sharp knife, and then root removed sections in vermiculite.

With a little care and attention, a Christmas Cactus can be enjoyed for many years, making anyone's Christmas season a little brighter.