Also known as the Christmas cactus, the schlumbergera can be used as a decoration for the holiday season. Moreover, this plant is easy to maintain, even for amateur gardeners. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know how to put it in good conditions to allow it to flower. In this article, we share some watering and maintenance tips.
The Christmas cactus is a plant whose beauty is particularly highlighted during the winter period. However, for it to flower abundantly, it is essential to know the right fertilization techniques. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve this.
Christmas cacti. Source: spm
Originally from South America and Brazil in particular, schlumbergera is like most tropical plants, sensitive to winter, despite being resistant to humidity. This is why it is recommended to cultivate it at a temperature between 18 and 21°C in the hot season and at 10° in winter.
In addition, and to properly maintain the Christmas cactus, certain precautions must be taken:
A shaded exhibition : to promote the development of schlumbergera, It is not recommended to move it once the first flowers appeared. The best is to place it in a place where the lighting oscillates between shade and light in the hot season, that is from mid-May to September.
A light and well-drained soil: the period conducive to the flowering of this plant is between March and December. Ideally, it will take give it a mixture of natural fertilizer and sand every 15 days, before and during its growth, taking care not to water it too much. Try as much as possible to space out the water supply, before flowering, to allow the substrate to dry out. From flowering, the spacing between two waterings should be a little longer. This does not mean that you have to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering it. Thereafter, you can interrupt fertilization until spring.
Apply fertilizer gently: avoid splashing by slightly lifting the stems of the Christmas cactus. Fertilizer should in no way land directly on its leaves. This can cause burns.
Christmas cactus in the center of a room. Source: spm
Sprinkle apples with water : it is an excellent fertilizer. Done boil two liters of water then soak a whole apple previously cut into pieces. Two days later, you can water your Christmas cactus with this solution rich in iron, phosphorus, potassium and many other essential nutrients for its growth.
Watering bananas with water: just like the apple, this fruit also provides important nutrients that will help the Christmas cactus grow better. To do this, soak two banana peels in 1.5 liters of water for at least 24 hours before watering your plants with this mixture.
Sprinkle with water and wood ashes: in addition to stimulating growth, this solution also protects the schlumbergera from parasites and weeds. In this case, mix 2 tablespoons of wood ash with 1 liter of water and leave to stand for about 3 hours before watering. Thanks to this fertilizing solution, your Christmas cactus will receive everything it needs to bloom abundantly, namely, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and many more.
Read also Christmas cactus: the florists’ trick to make it bloom in December
Via SPM
