The Wonderful Christmas Cactus
Christmas cactus plants are beautiful houseplants that blossom during the Christmas season if cared for properly. In order for the Christmas cactus to blossom, they have to be root bound in the pot. If you replant the Christmas cactus into a bigger planter, you may upset the roots, which will cause it to stop blooming until the roots become bound again.
It is also important to provide cactus plant food to help the cactus thrive in the house and in the planter. There are three different types of blooming cacti such as the Easter cactus, which blooms at Easter and the Christmas cactus, which blooms at Christmas. There is also a Thanksgiving cactus. They look identical, except they bloom at different times.
What the Christmas Cactus Needs
The Christmas cactus has different blossom colors including pink, orange, purple and red. In order for the cactus to thrive and bloom, you need to have the ideal temperature and lighting. The cactus likes some sort of shaded light. During the winter months leading up to Christmas, the cacti needs full sunlight that is warm and bright. If the temperatures get too warm the plants will lose their buds. The Christmas cactus has growing spurts during the warmer months starting in April and usually ending in September.
Problems with the Christmas Cactus
If the Christmas cactus has buds and suddenly starts to drop them, it may be a result of excessive heat or a dramatic change in room temperature. This can also be caused because of a change in the light or a sudden move to a different location. The cactus needs to have the proper dark time. Artificial light can disrupt the cactus and takes away from the needed dark it needs, which is about thirteen hours.
If you give the Christmas cactus plant food, you should do this during the growing months and stop when the cacti is done with the new growth. Overwatering can produce root rot and therefore it should be watered only when the soil is dry. Do not let the cacti become completely dry or it will affect the growing of the plant and buds.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant as when it blooms it gives an array of colors. The blooms are found at the tips of the leaves and will last for a few months if properly cared for with the proper light and water as well as temperature and fertilizer.
