:: Christmas Cactus ::
Schlumbergera bridesii

Learn how to grow and take care of a Christmas cactus! Christmas cacti are beautiful house plants that bloom in a variety of colors.

The Christmas cactus requires special care in order produce blooms.

One of the most beautiful blooms is that of the Christmas cactus, they have flowers in various shades of pink, red, and white.

With proper attention and the right environment, they will continue to bloom year after year.

The differing sizes and shapes of the cactus are as unique as their brilliant holiday colors.

These cacti require soil containing rich, organic material. The recommended growing medium is one part potting soil, two parts peat, and one part sand. It is very important to choose a pot that allows for proper drainage. These plants prefer to be root-bound rather than planted in a pot that is too large.

(C) Flowers & Garden.com

(C) Flowers & Garden.com

Direct sunlight can be damaging, especially in the spring, and summer months. But a cactus can be placed outside in a partially shaded location during the summer.

To avoid shocking your cactus, it should be gradually acclimated to indoor conditions before it is brought back inside at the end of summer. This can be done by bringing the cactus inside for a few hours each day and gradually increasing this time.

To promote blooms, you should placing your Christmas cacti in locations ranging between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit beginning in November. In addition, in order to bloom, they need several hours per day of complete darkness beginning around the middle of October.

While the buds are developing, the Christmas cactus should be placed in a location that receives filtered light. At this point, it should not be moved. After blooming, you can prune your Christmas cactus. Remove a few sections either by pinching or by cutting them off with a well-sharpened knife. Doing so will promote branching and new growth. Proper watering is important to the successful growth of the cactus. To encourage buds to form, less water should be given in late spring.

After the cactus has formed blooms, it will require regular watering. Even though the Christmas cactus is considered a succulent plant, it does not tolerate drought conditions very well. The best way to decide if the plant needs water is by feeling the soil.

Christmas cacti can survive and continue producing spectacular blooms for many years. They often outlive the caretaker. A large, mature Christmas cactus will develop what appears to be bark, and is capable of producing hundreds of blooms. The extra care required by the Christmas cactus is well worth the effort. The brilliant flowers it produces is a great gift to behold each holiday season.

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