"Vegetative propagation is also easy, again in the spring, not the winter. The fruit will have small seeds that can be started in normal seed starting mix in the spring (not the winter.)" He said: "Manual pollination with a small brush, collecting pollen from one plant, and putting it on the other will often result in fruit. "Make sure you plant it at least one 'leaf-pad' deep into the soil."Īnother way to do this, Glavich says, is to use manual pollination if you have two plants with different colored flowers, using a small brush to collect pollen from one to the other. Leave the potential cutting to one side for two days, then once it's dried a little over these 48 hours you can pop it into some soil that's made with a sandy mix." Take a stem from the plant - take one that's three nodes in length. He said: "It's really simple and easy to propagate the Christmas cactus. Miller said using stems from a previous year is a great place to start, and drying them out is an important step before planting. If you wish to propagate your cactus, this is absolutely possible to achieve at home. ![]() This process will help more blossoms to come through, and these can then be used to propagate (to breed another plant from your existing one). ![]() Miller also stressed the importance of making sure to prune your cactus back after it flowers. He also suggested using plant food, with fertilizer working well as an alternative. One way to make fertilizing super-easy is to use a time-release fertilizer once a year."Įrin Marino of The Sill suggested watering every one to two weeks as a guide, while Glavich insisted on having your cactus in a pot with drainage holes, to stop the plant from becoming water-logged. "If you wish to fertilize, do so in the spring and summer months when it's actively growing. In especially arid climates, keeping it in a room with a small humidifier or a lot of other plants may help. If possible, give it average to above-average relative humidity levels. "Water it lightly and somewhat frequently to keep it just barely moist, but never wet or soggy. In Northern areas, Christmas cactus may take some direct sun in the morning, but it's better to filter direct sun with a sheer curtain or keep it a couple of feet back from a sunny window, especially in the South." He said: "It's best to try to reproduce its native growing conditions, so give it bright, but indirect light. Naturally, these cacti grow in Brazil with shade and not a huge amount of water, so Hancock suggested mimicking its natural habitat to help the cactus thrive. Justin Hancock from Costa Farms, gave Newsweek some top tips on how to keep your cactus healthy, including when to water, the amount of light they need and what soil to use. "Unlike their prickly cousins, this plant doesn't have spines." How To Care For a Christmas Cactus Miller told Newsweek: "These distinctive plants with their long leaf-like pads (nodes) that are joined one to the other (rather like the plant version of stickle bricks) enjoy shades of white, pink or magenta flowers which burst forth from the areoles at the tips of the nodes." These bloom even in decreasing light, making them ideal for indoor settings. While other cactus generally do have plants, Christmas cacti are known for their flowers. Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens in the U.K., told Newsweek that another factor that makes these cacti distinctive is its flowers. Schlumbergera, growing in shaded trees, does not need or want intense light."Ī stock image of a Christmas cactus Getty Images "Most cacti grow in the ground and require very intense light during their growing seasons. ![]() It is one of a number of epiphytic genera of cacti, all of which are native to South America." ![]() He explained: "This genus comes almost exclusively from Brazil, where the plant evolved to grow on trees and rocks. The cacti can grow out of other things such as trees and rocks, rather than just the ground. What is Different About the Christmas Cactus?Īccording to Thomas Glavich, speaking to Newsweek on behalf of Cactus and Succulent Society of America, what is different about this genus is its roots. Newsweek talked to the experts to find out more about these cacti, including how to propagate them after the holidays. They do, however, like humidity, which can mean a cooler, indoor setting with the heating turned on is ideal.Īs a result, Christmas cacti are great for the winter, compared to other types of cacti which need little water and lots of heat and sunshine. The flowers that bloom are incredibly festive, and can brighten up any room.Īccording to the Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K., this genus of cactus usually grow in jungle-type woodlands, even attached to trees, preferring more shade to the desert varieties. Read more 23 Beautiful House Plants That Don't Need Direct Sunlight
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