If you’re relatively young and see a Christmas cactus in an older relative’s home, then it’s likely this plant has seen more than you have. Well, that’s assuming plants can see. Christmas cactuses not only become a beautiful sight when blooming around the Christmas season, they also live for decades. In many cases, they may have been sitting in the same spot on your older relative’s shelf since your relative was an infant.
In that regard, your relative may have told you about the special care Christmas cactuses demand.
Since your older relative has likely taken care of this plant for decades (which probably included “talking” to the plant), you’d know the Christmas cactus doesn’t bloom all year. Blooms on these are unfortunately ephemeral, with occasional exceptions. The rest of the year, though, involves special care in order to make blooms happen when your Christmas decorations are in the periphery.
Let’s start in the autumn–preferably around September. This is the pivotal time for special care to make your Christmas cactus bloom in December. Starting in September, place the cactus in a place that has considerable light during the day. At night, be sure to turn off all the lights nearby. These plants won’t bloom if they don’t have pure dark in the a.m. hours.
Yes, you can consider Christmas cactuses to be a little like us with our serotonin and melatonin requirements. The only difference (depending on your disposition) is that these plants require cooler temperatures in order to bloom later. But don’t make it any more than 50 degrees and not in freezing temperatures.
Temperatures differentiate Christmas cactuses from poinsettias. The latter nearly always requires warmer temperatures to survive through the Christmas season. It’s why you’ll frequently see your poinsettias at death’s door a week before Christmas, and your Christmas cactus appearing ready to jump out of its vase to run for President.
Watering, however, is a sensitive subject. A dry plant doesn’t always mean the plant is perpetually thirsty. In the months preceding December, the Christmas cactus will require considerably less watering than earlier in the year. For most cases, keep an eye on the top inch of the soil and how wet it is before watering again.
Your older relative with the successful Christmas cactus might also be living in a more humid climate. These plants thrive in such environments. Estimates say you usually need at least a 50 percent humidity level in your home. Simply place a glass of water near the plant.
Now you might want to relax. Your older relative, though, will likely talk to you first about one more thing: Fertilizer.
Fertilize Three Times a Year
Before Thanksgiving hits, consider looking into a liquid fertilizer to give the last boost toward blossoms on your own Christmas cactus. This is usually applied anywhere from Halloween time up through mid November. Nitrogen levels in the liquid fertilizer, however, need to be carefully monitored.
When you buy the liquid fertilizer, check the nitrogen ratio on the package. It shouldn’t be more than 10 percent. That particular number is the first number within a set of three on most liquid fertilizer packages.
After the first of the year, it’s a good idea to apply the same liquid fertilizer again. Preferably, it should be in February. During the spring and summer, your Christmas cactus generally grows at a higher rate, so use the liquid fertilizer again at least once during this period.
The Christmas Cactus at Rest
If your older relative taught you well, then you should have blossoms aplenty on your Christmas cactus starting in December. Those blossoms might drop off if you water too much or waver from any of the proper care techniques. All told, though, you need to give your Christmas cactus a rest after the holidays are over. That generally means little watering or other care for at least 30 days.
Your older relative may have lived long enough to understand an even deeper connection between this plant and their human owners. In most cases, human beings blossom during the holidays–then require a month’s rest from all the chaos.
Revel in the holidays with your Christmas cactus for the meantime.
References:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/christmas_cactus.html
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/011110.html
http://www.humeseeds.com/xmasccts.htm