How do I help my Christmas Cactus?
I put it in the dark last month and brought it out. It is VERY dry. I can’t seem to get either one to bloom. Can someone tell me how to care for Christmas cactus to get it to bloom?
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Your plant sounds like it needs water, take a look her and see if this will help you in managing your plant:
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Christmas-Cactus
Best to you.
Hi! Succulents need water and light. When they plump up, they have enough water. Bone dry? Water is needed. It's exciting (for me) when they bloom! Good luck!
It definitely needs water. Here's a link with more care tips:
https://www.gardenloversclub.com/houseplants/christmas-cactus/care-for-christmas-cactus/
Hi Susan. Reviving a limp Christmas Cactus might be as easy as just repotting it. Use a good quality potting soil and mix 2 parts potting soil and 1 part sand. The sand will assure sharp drainage. Even if the soil is not soggy, repotting may be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas Cactus. Water it once a week. Good luck Susan and Happy Holidays.
Hello. Would it be possible to post a picture to observe the size color and texture of your cactus and a pot size evaluation might be helpful to help give personalized suggestions solutions to a problem.
Hi there, so sorry you'e having problems with your Christmas cactus. Can you check the soil in the pot and the roots. If it's very dry and pulling away from the sides of the pot, water the plant and repot her in a new pot with a soil mixture of 2 parts peat moss and 1 part each of potting soil and coarse sand or perlite. When you give her water don't overwater, rather give her little bits every day. Too much water at once will put her into shock. I'm not sure who told you to put her in the dark, but the Christmas cacti, needs between 10 and 12 hours of light a day to thrive. I hope she comes right and bounces back to give you many more years of beautiful flowers.
Hello Susan, I share your pain! I've ha d a number of Christmas Cacti over the years and never been succussfuul in getting them to re-bloom. I found this article and maybe it will help you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_secret_to_getting_a_christmas_cactus_to_bloom_temperature_and_light
Poinsettias are the plants that are kept in the dark, not Christmas cactus. Christmas cactus will rebloom only if it likes it's location. So once you find that spot, don't move it around. However mine all get moved over the spring summer months as the light is too intense (I still have bad windows in that room), and moved back in late fall. Several excellent links on how to care for Christmas cactus in this thread, bet you will have it back in shape in no time!
Give your Christmas Cactus bright but indirect light. Keep the plant in a well-lit location (like near a window) away from direct sunlight – too much heat and light can stunt growth and burn the leaves. It should also be away from drafts, heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air.
Provide the plant a source of humidity if you live in a dry environment. Put a tray of water next to the plant so that the water evaporates and provides humidity. Alternatively, you can make a humidity tray by placing the pot on a waterproof saucer that is filled with gravel and halfway filled with water.
Don't forget it is imperative to have cooler temperatures and low light in the two months before blooming. That sets the buds. Mine is well over 100 years old. It was Grammy Stevens. My sister in law gave me her mother's which I have begun 3 new starts. A half dead section will root in water easily.
Here is some helpful info https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20705680/christmas-cactus-care/
Here's a post that might help https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20705680/christmas-cactus-care/#:~:text=Temperature%3A%20Maintain%20an%20optimal%20climate,two%20weeks%20once%20buds%20form.