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6 Secrets To Make Your Christmas Cactus Flourish All Season

If you have ever tried to grow a Christmas cactus before, you probably already realize that they can be at least a little bit finicky. Since you are growing it for a specific reason, however, it is important to make sure that it is as healthy and beautiful for as long as possible. You want it to bloom early and to continue to bloom throughout the entire season. These tips are designed to help you do it, even if you don’t have a green thumb.

The bright pink flowers of a Christmas cactus are one of the highlights of the holiday time for many people. The plant also has cascading green leaves and if you transplanted it into a pot, it will grow to overtake it very quickly. Perhaps one of the unique things about the Christmas cactus is the fact that it only blooms once every year. When you take care of it properly, it will allow the winter bloom to open just in time.

One of the more important things to consider when growing this particular cactus is how it grows in the wild. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that this cactus is different from the majority of cacti that you see because it doesn’t come from an arid area. It lives in tree branches in Brazil for the most part, so it likes the humidity and enjoys more water than most succulents.

Keep that in mind as you look down through the following tips to keep your Christmas cactus in the best shape possible.

1. Indirect Sunlight

When you think about the fact that this plant grows in the rainforest, it is typically in an area where there is cover from direct sunlight. Put it in a spot where indirect light will reach it instead of direct light.

2. Temperature

It is important to keep the temperature as stable as possible. The daytime temperature should be about 70° and at night, it should be between 60-65°. If your cactus is usually kept outside then bring it inside if it dips below 70 during the day in the winter.

3. Watering

Your cactus is going to want plenty of water. The top of the soil may become somewhat dry but it should never dry out completely. You should also avoid the other extreme of standing water for a long period of time.

4. Dormant

In order for the cactus to bloom, it will need to enter a dormant stage. In October, bring the plant to an area where it will get up to 14 hours of darkness so that the bloom growth is promoted.

5. Fertilize

The best time to fertilize your Christmas cactus is after it flowers. Continue to fertilize it through the summer months until it is time to prepare for the dormant period in the fall.

6. Transplanting

You might want to think about repotting the cactus after it flowers. It is also a good idea to move it to a larger pot to promote additional growth and to provide fertilization.

These tips should keep your Christmas cactus blooming through the holiday season. It will also let you enjoy your plant 365 days a year.