Put your forest cactus in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. It’s a good idea to bring it back out during daylight hours. The closet treatment is no longer necessary once buds begin to form, and the plant should bloom for several weeks.
If you don’t have a closet, you can grow your cacti in an outdoor greenhouse. You’ll need a greenhouse that’s at least 10 feet high, with a ventilation system that allows air to circulate around the plants.
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When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
For at least 12 hours a day, every day, starting in october, put your christmas cactus in absolute darkness. Just in time for the holiday season, this gives the plant about eight weeks to form buds.
Why isn’t my Christmas cactus blooming this year?
The reason for Christmas cactus not blooming is because of drought stress or too many hours of light, as it is a short day plant. Christmas cactus can be found in rainforests with high humidity.
What can I feed my Christmas cactus to make it bloom?
A bloom formula houseplant fertilizer or a half strength water soluble formula, such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20, makes an ideal fertilizer for Christmas cactus. Feed once a month during watering from late winter to late spring.
How do you take care of a Christmas cactus in the winter?
If your house is dry during the winter, place it on a tray of pebbles or near other plants. Christmas cacti prefer daytime temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees, and evening temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees.
Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?
Christmas cacti require more magnesium than other plants. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the solution directly to the cactus. Cactus and succulents should be fertilized every two to three weeks with a solution of 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of growing area.
If the soil is not well-drained, the fertilizer can be applied in the spring or early summer when the plants are in flower. The fertilizer should not be used on plants that have been dormant for more than a few days, as this can cause the plant to become stunted and die.
Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus will enjoy a coffee as much as you do! Coffee grounds are a good source of potassium and nitrogen, two things the cactus needs to keep it healthy.
If you want to use the grounds immediately, you need to dry them first by placing them in a paper bag and letting them air dry for at least 24 hours. Coffee grounds also contain caffeine, which is a stimulant that can help you stay awake and alert during the holiday season.
If you don’t want to use coffee grounds, you can use tea bags instead.
