No flowers in Christmas cactus.What should i do?
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Had it on my east window looks great but no flowers,I know to late for this years Christmas but love to see some flowers one day.
20 answers
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http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf172932.tip.html I usually have no problem getting mine to flower..i keep them outside in the summer, move to a cool area in the basement, (under lights) and then, it is easy for me to reduce wateing, simply because i forget at first, lol...good luck!
Judy Lxn
on Dec 14, 2013
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I'm going to move it to a front bedroom where is colder and less light. Thank you Judy.
Sibella Corbin
on Dec 14, 2013
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My husband use to put castor oil, a few drops 2x a year and it bloomed beautifully. However, he hasnt done that the last 3 years, so no blooms. I will have to put some in, after seeing everybody eles looking so good! Hope this helps
Kathryn
on Dec 14, 2013
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Christmas Cactus need about 3 months of darkness to bloom.
Amy Baer
on Dec 14, 2013
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Sibella, you didn't mention how long you've had the cactus and if it's bloomed for you before. So... some thoughts: All blooming perennials need a set amount of sunlight, temperatures, and soil conditions to bloom depending on the species. All blooming perennials need to have adequate nutrients or consistant fertilizing to bloom. Blooming "Christmas" cacti are tropical succulents (not cacti per se) but may also be mislabeled or sold as "Christmas" cacti but are really (commonly-named) Easter or Thanksgiving cacti but were forced to bloom at Christmas time to sell. So my response for you is: 1. How often do you fertilize it? Simple slow-release high phosphorous fertilizer will work. Apply as directed on label, whether it's every month, every 3 months etc. 2. Add more or amend soil to container every year to ensure proper root growth and to stay healthy. To replace soil without using a larger container: Take plant out of pot, cut off 1/3rd of roots and add more soil to container, replace plant back in same pot. 3. Is it getting enough sunlight? Place outside in shade during warm temperatures (spring and/or summer) then bring in during September. It is the "more than 20 degree" temperature drop (like orchids) that induces the blooming. 4. Identify it. Find out when it blooms naturally. It may put on a beautiful show in early spring meaning it's an Easter cactus. To identify species easily, read more: http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html Hope this helps, Teresa www.she-consulting.com
Teresa Watkins
on Dec 14, 2013
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i was told a long time ago to use tomato fertilizer to stimulate blooms on christmas cactus
Nancy Martin Becker
on Dec 14, 2013
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I asked my mom this question a few years back because hers always bloom and mine never did. She said "They need to spend the summer outside. Bring them in when the weather starts to turn cold and before freezing weather." So I left mine outside all summer and brought them inside for the winter when the weather started dipping into the low 40's at night. They bloomed riotously! They are so beautiful! I've been doing this for three years now, and it's no fail. Leave them outside all summer, then when the weather cools, bring them inside to a brightly lit cool area and watch them explode!
Nancy Melle
on Dec 14, 2013
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Mine both sit by the North window of my home and bloom several times a year. It is a cooler room than the south side. No special food and only water once a week. I lhave one Fushia and one Peach color. And are now in bloom.
Sharon McKusick
on Dec 15, 2013
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I had to force mine to bloom. My mom had it for many years and it never bloomed. I had to sit mine outside in the heat of summer and keep it watered but not too much, had to let it dry pretty good a few time but when I brought it in this year it has been blooming for about a month now. It is so beautiful and still has buds on it. Still going strong. hope this helps.
Teresa Church
on Dec 15, 2013
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Christmas cactus need 14 hours of darkness—and evening temperatures not above 68 degrees—to set blooms. If there is too much artificial light in the room where you have yours, or it is too warm, they will not bloom.
Douglas Hunt
on Dec 15, 2013
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Thank you!
Sibella Corbin
on Dec 15, 2013
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I always put mine outside in the summer watering as needed and put them down cellar, no watering until I saw the buds starting, then bought upstairs.
Judy Grecco
on Dec 16, 2013
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I had to laugh...I do not think anyone knows a thing about these plants...they all do as they please...some bloom, some never do...and I personally do not think there is a thing you can do about it! HA! (They are totally beautiful, but so exasperating!)
Jeanette S
on Dec 16, 2013
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Jeanette: I like your comments! I have a few of these plants. Some cooperate and some don't. The one in the east window that gets very little artificial light as we don't go in that room often was prolific this year. The ones here in the kitchen, west window are a bit sparser but coming along. Who knows really!
June
on Dec 16, 2013
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Thank you Judy.
Sibella Corbin
on Dec 16, 2013
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Thank you Jeanette S, I totally agree with you. I have one that just had a bud on it but I accidentally knocked it off. :( What I find most interesting is my grandmother had one that was absolutely beautiful and bloomed and bloomed and she never did any of the things that have been posted. They are simply a very difficult plant to get to bloom. I guess you can try whatever you think will work and hope for the best!
Margie*Lee
on Dec 16, 2013
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I had one years ago that would bloom at odd times of the year, not necessarily at Christmas. Reading these comments tells me why.
Liliana Wells
on Dec 16, 2013
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I put mine in the garage and withhold water to once a month! Then bring them in and water once a week in a place that is bright but not direct sun! They bloom like crazy!
Mikell Paulson
on Dec 16, 2013
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Mine blooms almost every year in November only! Did move it to a bigger pot on the floor in front of the west patio door, seems to like it there, it is cooler at this time of the year. It is a cactus so it does not need much water. I may try the outside thing this next year.
Cindy Johnson Kline
on Dec 16, 2013
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My Christmas cactus has refused to bloom for a couple of years now. Poor thing has suffered along with myself from having to move to apartment life! In the past it bloomed anywhere from Thanksgiving to Easter! One year it decided to bloom for the Fourth of July! And to think I actually saved this little plant as a single frond found in somebody's trash!!! (I just can't STAND when someone throws out plants!)
Peabutton's Mom
on Dec 28, 2013
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