The ideal temperature for Christmas cactus to bloom is 50-55F , which might require you to turn down your heater or find a cooler spot in the room. If it’s placed at a window facing the south, you will need to water it regularly. It never had anything but morning sun and tap water! When a Christmas cactus blooms it does take more water but I wait until the soil is dry and then give it a good soaking. 2. Watering Christmas Cactus. The best time to do this is in March, when it has come out of its period of rest. Typically, you will need to provide substantially more water to a larger cactus when you do water it, but you may find that smaller, faster growing cacti, planted in smaller pots actually require closer attention and more frequent watering. Christmas cactus do best with a pH between 5.5 to 6.2. Size Of Pot Affects How Often To Water A Cactus 11. Some cactuses bear small, inconspicuous flowers while others stand brilliant and bold. The plant will not tolerate dry soil and … Unlike many cactus, the Christmas cactus comes from a tropical climate, not a dry dessert one so naturally, it will need more water than you would give most cactus plants. If you are like me, then you may have a Christmas cactus that bloomed beautifully in the past, but you are having a hard time getting the plant to bloom again. Also, make sure your plant is located in the ideal spot—they like humidity, temps from 70 to 80°F, away from drafts or fireplaces. Water your Christmas cactus when the top inch (2.54 cm) of the soil feels dry when you stick your finger in the soil. Once you have evaluated how often to water cactus, you need to know how to go about it. The best way to know when your Christmas Cactus needs to be … Many people buy cacti because they are extremely easy to care for and do not depend on a continuous water supply. Change your watering schedule seasonally. Most horticulture professionals agree that you should water a cactus around once a week in the hottest months. How often do you water a Christmas cactus? Answered. Give the repotted Christmas cactus a moderate amount of water. The best way to learn how much water your cactus needs and how often is to observe it. Like most succulent plants, it requires moist soil to grow; however, these plants do not like to be sitting in a pool of water. Although it can depend on a number of the different factors which we’ve already talked about, there is a general rule of thumb that can be used for most varieties. Christmas Cactus Care After The Holidays. 3 How often do you water a Christmas cactus? This means it contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals. Christmas cacti bloom just in time for the holidays (hence their name), and they're pretty stunning too. 4 Can you put a Christmas cactus outside in the summer? You don't want to overwater it since damaged roots can easily become waterlogged. This answer is based entirely on anecdotal experience, so take it for what it's worth. If you live in a dry climate, make sure a source of humidity like a shallow tray of water is kept nearby. If you feel a distinct point or claw it is a Thanksgiving Cactus. Nevertheless, when watering cacti, care mistakes often occur that lead to the death of the plants. If you under-water your Christmas cactus, you can expect the leaves to droop. 1. If you are growing your Zygocactus outdoors in a hot and dry climate, consider watering it every 2 to 3 days. How often do you have to water a Christmas cactus. Repot your Christmas cactus every 1-2 years, when the rootball has filled the pot. Now that you can differentiate between a Thanksgiving cactus, a Christmas cactus, and an Easter cactus, make sure that you have the plant that you think you are growing. Fill in around the roots with new potting soil up to about 1 inch from the top rim of the pot. Check the soil with your finger tip or a moisture meter and water when it’s near dry. How to plant a Christmas cactus. 1. Watering and Feeding. With more than 2,000 species in the cactus family, diversity reigns. How often do you water a Zygocactus? Despite its name, the Christmas cactus is not a desert plant, but rather has its origins in the tropical rain forests of South America. Be sure that the drainage holes in the pot are not blocked so the water can run out. I know Amazon has cheap ones. They bloom every year, beginning around Thanksgiving and continuing off and on through the spring. I have three Christmas cacti, the oldest is now about 5 years old. This is a very simple and easy propagation and takes very little effort! Cactus should be watered till the sol is logged with water. If you do not feel points or claws but you do feel numerous small soft bristles on the tip end of the leaf it is an Easter Cactus. Caring for a Christmas Cactus. In general, home gardeners do pretty well with Christmas cactus, both the real thing (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its close relative, Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), which I’ll call holiday cacti in this article. Alright, so how often do you water a cactus? If you do not feel a point or claw and you also don’t feel anything on the flat end or tip of the leaf it is a Christmas Cactus. Contrary to the misconception, cactus requires a lot of water since they are succulent plants. Answer + 4. Use a cactus compost or John Innes No. If you are using tap water to provide moisture for your cacti you should know that it is often alkaline and/or hard. Check every 4 or 5 days. If you are letting the pot drain into a saucer, then you need to remove that water. However, for a north-facing window, the water requirements will be less frequent. Continue to water and care for you plant as usual after it has bloomed, removing any spent blooms or foliage that become unsightly or damaged. Do not mist them. So you would not water if the reading were any higher. If it indoors, it might need water only once a week. How to Care for a Christmas Cactus (Once It’s Rooted) Once you’ve transplanted your rooted cactus to its proper pot, here’s what you’ll need to do: Water it on a regular basis, especially during the spring and summer. Only water the Christmas cactus when the top part of the soil is dry. (Read When your Christmas Cactus Blooms Too Early to know how to distinguish between the two.) How to Water a Cactus. I love the way this plant looks when it blooms, and it is an amazing centerpiece that will brighten up your table for guests to see during the holidays. Water as soon as the top inch of the soil feels dry. Today I will show you how to propagate your Christmas Cactus!! But consider the climate and time of the year. To get a Christmas cactus to bloom, you need to give it 6 weeks of “short days” (meaning 13 to 16 hours of total darkness) and low temperatures. In order to further force a Christmas cactus to bloom, you’ll need to move the plant where it will receive about 12-14 hours of darkness. For Rapitest, for example, the recommended reading for a Christmas cactus is 6. When watering the cactus, add water until there is only about a half inch of dry soil on the surface. Type of water for cactus indoors. It just bloomed my last week of sitting. This will need you to water the cactus more often. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that the plant will thrive in your home or office location. The way that you pot your cactus has a big impact on how you water it—you can think of it as the best way to set it up for success. The best part of growing a Christmas cactus is that it is extremely low maintenance. Placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus container is a good way to add more humidity to the home. pH testers are pretty cheap and you can get them at many places. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) Schlumbergera truncata and S. × buckleyi are the two species of epiphytic cacti that are both commonly known as Christmas cactus.So called because they flower from late November to late January, they give a wonderful Christmas display or are an ideal Christmas gift. Repot into a slightly larger pot – the roots like to be snug. Wherever you keep your Christmas Cactus, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time. When considering how often to water cactus indoors, you should also consider the type of water you are using. cns0105 notes that frequency of watering depends on where you live--yes. Here’s an easy way to do this: In the fall, move your plant near a window (but out of direct light) in a cool room (55 to 60 degrees F) that doesn’t get used at night. It will break the dark cycle required and interrupt the blooming process. You do not want to hope for Christmas blooms and end up with a flowering plant in the spring. The recommended moisture reading may depend on the manufacturer of the meter. Reduce Watering. To fix it, water more frequently (but take care to avoid overwatering, too, which can cause leaves to fall off and root rot). Let’s take a look at some of the tips that will help your Christmas Cactus flourish. • Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week. If the number is the same or lower, you would water. The Christmas cactus is largely an easy-to-care-for plant. Most gardeners know that cacti need little water, but they don't realize how little. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength. Beginning in October, water your Christmas cactus much less frequently. During the dormant season, however, reduce watering. How Often Do You Water A Christmas Cactus? Water the cactus based on your environment and the time of year. Once every four to … In addition, fertilize the plant with a monthly application of a magnesium sulfate solution at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water, but don’t apply the same week you add the plant food. Do not water the cactus again until the soil is completely dry. If you grow your cactus indoors, the side it faces determines how often you water the plant. Cactus are desert plants that are not used to prevalent moisture and water. Follow these steps starting in the fall and continuing in winter, and watch as your Christmas cactus gives you a beautiful display of vibrant flowers. Cactus Flowers. Watering always depends on the unique conditions within your home, but, in general, holiday cacti can be watered every 1-3 weeks. I was house sitting earlier this month and she has the most beautiful Christmas cactus I have ever seen. A good method is to water a cactus as follows: • Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny. Saturating it can cause it to rot, so you need to water it regularly and thoroughly without saturating or soaking the soil. Keep the Christmas cactus in a shady spot for a few days to help it get used to its new pot and fresh soil. Bright, indirect light during the day is fine; however, Christmas cactus requires at least 12 hours of darkness at night in order to encourage bud development.