These popular plants, which include Easter and Thanksgiving cacti, often come from the nursery bursting with blooms, but getting them to flower the next year can be tricky. The fertilizer continues to work for up to 2 weeks and features a 2-7-7 N-P-K ratio to provide the nutrients that plants need to flourish. Many of the plants sold as Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) are actually Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), and … It will need 12 to 14 hours of total darkness, along with cool nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees (F), for about three to … After its flowers have faded, prune Christmas cactus by removing a few of its stem sections to encourage it to branch. Stop fertilizing in late September or early October to encourage flower bud production. This will keep your plants in tip-top condition to form buds and eventually that fully bloomed look in time for Christmas. A mixture of half potting soil and half sand or perlite is adequate. Follow the application rates carefully on any formula to reduce the chance of salt build up in soil. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. When buds start to form in fall, keep the growing medium evenly moist, watering when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Place Christmas cactus in a bright location, but away from direct sunlight, except when forcing flower buds between mid-October to mid-November to December. It is still best not to overwater these succulents and it is crucial that the water drains away rapidly. The Christmas cactus doesn’t need fertilizer while it is blooming. Cactus is a low-maintenance plant but requires occasional fertilization as it helps in restoring nutrients it absorbs from the soil. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) From April to October, fertilize Christmas cactus every two to four weeks as new leaf growth begins. Choosing the Best Fertilizer For Cactus can get quite tricky and confusing! Christmas cactus feeding takes place monthly during the growing season, generally April through October. Pinch off the ends of stems after blooming to encourage branching. The leaves are broad and flat with slight serrations on the edges in the Thanksgiving vs. Christmas cactus, which has smoother The Thanksgiving cactus has saw-tooth serrations on the “leaves,” while the Christmas cactus has round, lobed margins. Holiday cactus often lose flower buds when you move them. What Fertilizer Is Best for a Christmas Cactus?. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a flowering tropical cactus that blooms during the winter holidays in the United States. Stop fertilizing in late summer or flower production may suffer. Ideal spring and summer growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its growing season from April to September. On alternate weeks, fertilize monthly with one teaspoon per gallon (5 mL. Flowers: Flowers of the Thanksgiving cactus are produced from the tips, or from where the leaf segments join.They resemble a long tube, appearing as if a flower within a flower. Save the trimmed sections for rooting. It is in a south window, I water it a lot ( always keep it wet except in july when I let it dry a bit) and I never give it fertilizer. Very often the Thanksgiving cactus is sold under the name Christmas cactus, which only adds to the confusion. Placing the plant in total, uninterrupted darkness for 12 to 14 hours each night, beginning in mid-October, will encourage buds to form, as will placing it in a cool place, with temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Growers recommend 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formulations, diluted with twice as much water as recommended on the package, to provide a half-strength solution. If you already have a Thanksgiving cactus from last year, to get it to bloom on time you’ll need to begin temperature and light treatments in mid-September. Schlumbergera truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus. Water:Since this is actually a tropical succulent it is not necessary to wait for the soil to completely dry out before watering. This is where the importance of Christmas cactus feeding comes into play. They come in a range of colors, mostly pastels, including red, pink, peach, purple, orange, or white, and typically bloom in Thanksgiving. When the plant is done blooming, allow it to rest. Fertilize monthly, June through August, with a houseplant fertilizer at half-strength. Spray this on the pads, and into the soil once a month. Watch for mealybugs or scale insects and combat with a good horticultural soap spray. A bloom formula houseplant fertilizer or a half strength water soluble formula, such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20, makes an ideal fertilizer for Christmas cactus. ... Fertilize lightly when the buds form and continue until the flowers fade. A bloom formula houseplant fertilizer or a half strength water soluble formula, such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20, makes an ideal fertilizer for Christmas cactus. Eventually, the soil will release all it has to offer and the plant will slowly starve to death. If you want to maintain your cactus beyond the holidays, you will need to provide it with proper light, temperature, water and fertilizer. Since 1981 Janet Bayers has written on travel, real estate trends and gardening for "The Oregonian" newspaper in Portland. Speaking of water, keeping holiday cacti moist - but not wet - from March through August will encourage maximum growth. Put the entire pot and cutting into a plastic bag until new leaf segments appear. However, using the correct fertilizer at the right time is the key here to boost healthy growth, flowering, and bright color. ... you can then fertilize it using a cactus-specific fertilizer. Always water after adding any fertilizer or amendment to the flowerpot. Is a Christmas Cactus an Acid-Loving Plant?. Once a month will do. If the soil is allowed to dry out or the plant is in front of a heater vent, it is likely to drop the developing buds. Join me at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, March 30, from 9:30 to 11:00 am as I demonstrate how to multiply plants through simple techniques that you can do at home. 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