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Grow Christmas Cactus
Grow Christmas Cactus Other common name, Crab Cactus OriginBrazil Schlumberga species Description : this fantastic flowing plant has long stems composed of flattened segments with single or double flowers at the tips. The flowers appear in winter (Australia - May and June), roughly equivalent in climate to December in the northern hemisphere, hence its common name Christmas cactus.
The flowers from the Schlumbega species consist of either – pink, mauve, purple, orange and red. Hybrids can now be found in cream, salmon, apricot, cerise, violet and scarlet. Some display yellow tones that revert to pink as temperatures fall. S. truncate and S. x buckleyi provide the origins of many of the modern hybrids. This group of cactuses originated from only about six species and now features almost 200 cultivars of popular flowering pot plants which are more familiar to some as Zygocactus. Schlumerga species or Crab Cactus. All species are epiphytic and grow on trees or sometimes rocks in their native Brazilian habitat where their flowers are pollinated by Hummingbirds.
Position: These plants need bright light and do tolerate full sun. A sunny windowsill or outdoor balcony is ideal, making it a perfect plant for the apartment gardener.
Christmas Cactus Bloom These popular garden plants are assured because of their great flowering times and the long flat jointed stems arching into small bushes, making them ideal for hanging baskets as well as pots. They come into vigorous growth in summer, and start flowering (blooming) once the day length is less than 12 hours. Once flower buds have formed, don’t move the plants until buds begin to open.
Grow Christmas Cactus, "Stumpy's plant of The week" Stumpy’s Cultivation Tips – Propagate Christmas Cactus This is one of my favourite plants as it can be grown by all and in so many situations. Enjoy my tips below! Keep the soil moist most of the year, but decrease water just before bloom to encourage flowering, providing only enough to prevent the plant from wilting. This can be done just before you see the buds starting to form. Once flower buds appear, recommence watering and feeding, using liquid fertilizers at half strength. Christmas plant propagation: These plants are easy to grow from cuttings of stem sections taken in spring or summer. Watering : Water as soil dries out, but increase watering as growth accelerates in summer and autumn. Fertilizing: In summer apply slow release granules or pelleted poultry manure (Dynamic lifter) A week solution of fish emulsion is also recommended. The flower colour may change after fertilization. Care for Christmas Cactus and Problems Generally this species of plant is easy to grow. They will suffer if grown in full sun, but will tolerate this condition, this may induce flowering. Over watering causes root rot and subsequent collapse of stems.
I hope you enjoyed another part to our indoor plant series. Happy Gardening Marty Return to Homepage
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