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Unlike many other succulents, Christmas cactus can bloom again in spring if given the short days condition. Placing Christmas cactus into the east-facing window that receives abundant amounts of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness each night can encourage the plant to flower again.
Can a Christmas cactus bloom in May?
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) Flowers: The flowers of the Christmas cactus are usually pink or white and bloom in December. But don’t be surprised if you also see blooms between March and May on these plants.
Why is my Christmas cactus blooming in spring?
Blooms requires two things: cooler temperatures and long nights. These cacti are short-day plants, which means that blooms are triggered by long dark cool nights. A few buds dropping off is normal, but drafts will cause the plant to drop all its buds at once – then you’ll be out of luck for another year.
Can Christmas cactus bloom in June?
Most cactuses sold on the market today are actually Thanksgiving cacti, which explains why they tend to bloom end of November. If plants are exposed to cooler night temperatures of 55° F, plants will bloom in approximately 5-6 weeks, sometimes regardless of the day length.
How many times a year will a Christmas cactus bloom?
Christmas Cactus are extremely popular when November and December roll around. I happen to like them even when they’re not in bloom and think they make fine houseplants. But wait, did you know that they can repeat flower? Mine started re-blooming in February, so yes, Christmas Cactus do flower more than once a year.
Why is my Christmas cactus blooming again?
Yes. Unlike many other succulents, Christmas cactus can bloom again in spring if given the short days condition. Placing Christmas cactus into the east-facing window that receives abundant amounts of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness each night can encourage the plant to flower again.
What do you do after Christmas cactus blooms?
After blooming, fertilize the plant every month beginning when you see new growth at the end of winter or the first of spring. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength.
Do Christmas cactuses bloom on Easter?
Easter cacti bloom in spring, starting to reveal flower buds in February and flowering from March through May. Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti bloom in late fall or winter, with Thanksgiving varieties typically blooming a month earlier than the Christmas ones.
Do Christmas cactuses flower every year?
Christmas cacti will reflower every year with the right care. After flowering, move to a cool room (around 12°C) for two months, and reduce watering. Move back into its flowering position and take care not to move it around – this can cause the plant to drop its buds.
Do Christmas cactuses bloom all year?
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a long-lived winter-flowering houseplant that is often associated with the holidays because it usually blooms between mid-November and late January. It will adapt to low light conditions but will bloom more if exposed to bright light.
Why didn’t my Christmas cactus bloom this year?
The reason for Christmas cactus not blooming is because of drought stress or too many hours of light, as it is a short day plant. Christmas cactus are adapted to rainforests with high humidity and rainfall. It does not flower if its dry or there are too many hours of light during flower formation.
What’s wrong with my Christmas cactus?
Wilted or limp Christmas cactus is sometimes caused by a lack of water or too much direct sunlight. If you’ve neglected to water the limp Christmas cactus, begin by giving the plant a limited drink. Poor drainage and soggy roots can make Christmas cactus very limp.
How long do Christmas cactus blooms last?
Too much water may cause buds to fall, as will moving the pot around. The Christmas cactus will remain in flower for four to six weeks, with each flower lasting six to nine days. After the plant has flowered, prune back each stem by pinching off enough sections to achieve a uniform habit.
Should you deadhead Christmas cactus?
While not necessary for all cacti since some cactus flowers drop from the plant once they are spent, deadheading cactus flowers can promote additional blooms and encourage growth while also tidying up the cactus. Deadheading can be done throughout the growing season while the Christmas cactus is in bloom.
How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?
Although sagging, limp foliage and stems that are mushy toward the bottom are strong indicators of overwatering and root rot, the only way to determine for sure if a christmas cactus is suffering from overwatering and root rot is to look at the roots of the plant.
How often should you water a Christmas cactus?
How to Care for Christmas Cacti. Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry.
How do you know when to repot a Christmas cactus?
Most plants are best repotted when they display new growth in spring, but Christmas cactus repotting should be done after blooming ends and the flowers have wilted in late winter or early spring. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming.
