If there is a plant typical of the coldest time of year, it is undoubtedly the Christmas cactus , or Schulumbergera . Although it blooms during the Christmas season, it is important to take good care of this plant so that it can give us many flowers.
In this article we offer you the main remedies for the Christmas cactus , and we explain how to propagate it in order to obtain many other plants.
The Christmas cactus is a relatively easy plant to care for. If placed in a bright location, away from direct sunlight that could burn the leaves, and kept at a temperature between 18 and 24°C, the plant should grow healthily and vigorously.
The plant should absolutely not be moved during flowering, as this could cause the buds to drop.
How to Propagate a Christmas Cactus
Propagating this plant is as simple as it is practical. In spring, take the parts of the stem that have two or three leaf sections and let them dry indoors for 1 or 2 days.
Place the removed parts in a mixture of seed compost and fine sand. Insert the bottom of the pieces about 1 cm deep so that they can stand upright. Water well and make sure excess water drains.
Place the cuttings in a bright location but away from direct sunlight. Water sparingly and water the leaves regularly.
After 1 or 2 months, the first roots will already be formed; you can check by slightly moving the cuttings. If they have roots, move them to individual pots to grow.
Christmas Cactus Care
In spring and summer, water only when the topsoil is dry and make sure the plant has good drainage.
Christmas cactus suffers if the soil is too cold and wet. Water sparingly during the winter.
It is important to replant the Christmas cactus every 1 to 2 years, preferably in spring and immediately after it has come out of dormancy.
Transplant the Christmas cactus into a larger pot and use a cactus fertilizer to stimulate its growth and flowering.
