Wondering why your Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus isn’t blooming for you? I’ve got the secrets that will make you successful. And guess what? It’s so easy that it’s ridiculous! In this article, I’ll also give you tips on growing and propagating your Christmas cactus. The care tips apply to both Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus. So let’s get started!
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus?
You can easily visually tell the difference between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus by looking at the stem segments. The Thanksgiving cactus will have small pointy tips, while the Christmas cactus segments will be rounder and won’t have tips. They also tend to have a more pendulous growing habit. Take a look at the image below for a good comparison.
You're reading: 3 Secrets to Getting Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom and Care Tips
Left: Christmas Cactus Right: Thanksgiving Cactus
Christmas Cactus Care
Although they look a little different, the care for Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus is identical. These plants prefer bright indirect light, although some sun indoors is beneficial, especially in the morning. Sufficiently bright light is important for blooming and overall health. They can do well in a northern window or an eastern facing window. If you have a west or south window, make sure to protect your plant from too much direct sun.
Water and Fertilizer Requirements
Read more : Do Succulents Need Sun?
Ensure that your Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus has excellent drainage and is not sitting in excess water for long periods of time. Overly dry conditions will cause your plant to shrivel and wilt, so avoid letting the entire pot dry out. As for fertilizing, you can use any balanced water-soluble fertilizer. My favorite is Dyna-Gro Grow, which is a complete premium fertilizer that contains all the micro and macro nutrients your plants need.
Growing Medium and Humidity
Any freely draining soil will work for your Christmas cactus. You can also use a mix of all-purpose potting mix and pumice. These plants prefer humid environments, so if you have a small plant, you can place it on a tray of moist pebbles or run a humidifier.
3 Secrets to Getting Your Plant to Re-bloom
Now let’s get to the million-dollar question – how to get your Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus to rebloom. The first secret is providing uninterrupted hours of total darkness at night. These plants need the dark period to set flower buds. The second secret is cool nighttime temperatures. Any drop in temperature at night would be helpful, with temperatures in the range of 55°F-65°F being ideal. The third secret is to reduce the amount of water if you don’t see any flower buds by October. These three secrets together should spark bud formation and your plant should come into full bloom before you know it.
Christmas Cactus Propagation
Read more : Discover the Different Types of Holiday Cactus Plants
Propagation is easy with Christmas cactus. Just take a few cuttings, let them air dry for a few days, and then place them in a jar of water. Once roots grow, pot them up in a good all-purpose potting soil. If you’re looking for an amazing potting mix, I recommend the Tropical Succulent Soil Blend from Oh Happy Plants.
There you have it – the secrets to getting your Christmas cactus to bloom and care tips to keep it thriving. Now it’s time to put these tips into action and enjoy the beauty of your blooming Christmas cactus. Happy gardening!
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Category: Succulent
