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To care for your Thanksgiving cactus, allow the soil to dry out during “resting periods,” or in other words, when it is not producing blooms. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering can kill the plant. Provide plenty of indirect light and room temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees F.
How much light does a Thanksgiving cactus need?
Thanksgiving cactus with pale pink blossom. Light & Temperature: The holiday cacti grow best in light shade. Full sunlight is beneficial during fall and winter, but bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow.
Should I mist my Thanksgiving cactus?
High temperatures, excessive heat fluctuation, and dry air are not ideal for a holiday cactus, so if your home is excessively dry because of a wood stove or another form of dry heat, make sure to mist the leaves to create humidity around the plants.
Where do I put my Thanksgiving cactus?
Thanksgiving cactus grows best in light shade during the summer months. You can give it more sunlight in the winter, when it is blooming. Too much sun in the summer months can make the leaves pale and yellow looking.
Why is my Thanksgiving cactus dying?
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. Continue to water sparingly every few days until the soil is lightly moist.
Should I water my Thanksgiving cactus while it’s blooming?
Flowers of the Thanksgiving cactus and its relatives are produced from the tips, or from where the leaf segments join. To care for your Thanksgiving cactus, allow the soil to dry out during “resting periods,” or in other words, when it is not producing blooms. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
When should I transplant my Thanksgiving cactus?
Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but before new buds develop. Depending on your plant, this is generally in early spring. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. Do not repot them unless necessary.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
The answer is simple, yes! Coffee grounds can work on almost any type of cactus or succulent. Most water has an alkaline pH of around 8, whereas cactus like between 5.8 – 7 pH. This means that each time you water your Christmas cactus or succulent, you are actually feeding it a higher pH than what it likes.
How long does a Thanksgiving cactus live?
Under the right conditions, a Thanksgiving cactus will bloom once a year during the late fall. How Long Do Thanksgiving Cacti Live? Holiday cacti are often passed down through generations because they have an incredibly long life. A Thanksgiving cactus can live up to 100 years with proper care.
How do you start a new Thanksgiving cactus?
Growing Thanksgiving Cactus Cuttings Snip off a stem with 4 to 5 sections and leaves. Dust the end with fungicide and allow it to callus for a week in a dry location. Fill a small clay pot with vermiculite or perlite mixed with potting soil. Alternatively, you can use damp sand.
Are Thanksgiving cactus poisonous to dogs?
The Christmas cactus is not poisonous to humans or cats and dogs. That is not to say you should go feeding your dog Christmas cactus leaves, however. The fibrous plant material of the cactus can cause vomiting and diarrhea in mass quantities.
Why is my Thanksgiving cactus turning red?
Nutrient Deficiency Red or purple-tinged foliage and wilting are two common symptoms of a magnesium deficiency, which is a common ailment in Christmas cacti. It occurs mainly during the winter months when feeding and watering are restricted and cold temperatures slow the plant’s nutrient uptake.
How do you repot a Thanksgiving cactus?
How to Transplant a Thanksgiving Cactus Grasp the base of the Thanksgiving cactus firmly while inverting the pot. Brush away as much of the old soil as possible to expose the roots. Fill the new pot with enough orchid potting mix to allow the plant to sit at the same height it was in the old pot.
Should I mist my Christmas cactus?
Instead of watering it like you would a traditional plant, you should be misting your cactus every day. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.
Why is my Thanksgiving cactus turning yellow?
When a pot that the Christmas cactus is planted in becomes too small, the roots become entangled so that they cannot drain as well. The plant will do fine is a somewhat crowded space, but when it becomes overcrowded, it will not receive the nutrients that it needs to grow, which is why the leaves turn yellow.
What is the difference between a Thanksgiving cactus and a Christmas cactus?
The difference between the three cacti is found in the shape of the leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumgera truncata) has very pointed and claw shaped projections on the edges of the leaf. The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped.
Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?
Christmas cacti have a higher requirement for magnesium than many plants. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the same week as regular fertilizer.
What is Cactus food?
Liquid Cactus Plant Food is a tropical plant fertilizer that is used to feed cacti and succulents and can be used on vegetables. The fertilizer is water soluble and is for use with watering cans.
When can I repot a Christmas cactus?
When to Repot 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.
How often should you water a cactus?
Generally, cactus plants will need watering every 7 to 10 days for optimal growth during spring, summer, and autumn months. Increase the interval between watering schedules during the plant’s rest or dormant period during winter (approximately every 4 to 6 weeks).
