Christmas Cactus

Christmas cacti are quite unlike the thorny xerophytic cacti that we are so very familiar with. In fact, Christmas cacti can have very pretty flowers exactly at Christmastime, provided they have been well-cared for. Having a Christmas cactus plant in full bloom during the festive season is a great big challenge in itself, but it you have a properly blossoming Christmas cactus in your home when the season comes, it is one of the most fulfilling things to have around.

The common complaint with Christmas cacti is that they do not flower when expected, i.e. during the Christmas season. If that is happening with your cactus, then something is certainly going wrong. Here, I discuss some of the common problems that can happen with the upkeep of a Christmas cactus plant.

First, let us get acquainted with the Christmas cactus plant. For the botanically inclined people, Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii, and it belongs to the family of holiday cacti, which also includes the Thanksgiving cactus and the Easter cactus. All these cacti are named with the season that they bring forth their blossoms. The Christmas cactus has mainly pink blossoms, though there are varieties that have white, red and violet blossoms too. This is a tropical plant, and it does require water. The plant is usually found in nature in areas where orchids are present. Brazil is the place of origin of the Christmas cactus.

Now here are some reasons why your Christmas cactus may not bloom at the right time.

• There are some optimum temperature conditions that you have to maintain for your Christmas to bloom. These plants love the cool climate. So you must make sure not to keep these plants in the warm regions of your home, such as close to the heater vents. A temperature of 61-70 F in the daytime and 56-65 F in the nighttime will do well for the plant to ensure that it blooms nicely.
• The Christmas cactus also has some requirements for light conditions. You need to keep this plant for 12-13 hours in complete darkness from September onward. If you do so, then the plant will show its blossoms when December arrives. At the same time, keeping the plant in indirect sunlight for a couple of hours per day will bring better blossoms.
• Being a tropical plant, the Christmas cactus does require water regularly. You have to make sure the plant is given water whenever it becomes dry to the touch. But you have to also bear in mind that the water is well-drained off. Christmas cacti will not bloom if they are kept in pots where the water gets clogged often. The secret to a healthy Christmas cactus is keeping it in a well-watered and well-drained pot.
• The Christmas cactus plant will also require fertilizers. Fertilizers will not be required when the plant is dormant, but when it is nearing its blooming time, you will need to provide it with a houseplant fertilizer twice in a month.

Christmas cacti are used to enliven the Christmastime decorations. These plants have colorful blossoms and they do not need any more decorations. But the cactus must be placed in creative ways to accentuate their beauty. Since the cactus has large pendulous leaves with the flowers blossoming at the ends of the stems, one good idea is to keep the plant in a hanging pot.

A well-blossomed Christmas cactus is considered to be a lovely gift to give during the festive season. The plant usually keeps blossoming right up to March, with their blossoms peaking in the month of January. That is the reason, if you give this plant to someone as a gift during Christmas they can enjoy the blossoms for a couple of months in the New Year. However, you must tell them in advance that the cactus would become dormant around February end, and then will re-bloom in the next December. You must also give them some tips on caring for the plant.