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Potting mix for christmas cactus


Best Potting Mix for a Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera spp., is an easy-care houseplant that rewards with a profusion of holiday blooms.

In our Christmas cactus growing guide, we talk about best practices for indoor cultivation.

Additional articles address inducing dormancy to encourage blooming, as well as understanding aerial root development.

We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Read on to increase your knowledge of this plant even more as we explore potting mixes and the ingredients that are most beneficial for your Christmas cactus plant.

What You’ll Learn

Let’s start with a glimpse at Schlumbergera in the wild.

The Christmas Cactus in Nature

The natural habitat of Schlumbergera species is the rainforests of South America.

They are epiphytes, plants that use their roots to cling to other plants or rocks for support, while doing no harm to their host.

Their sole sources of sustenance are the air, rainfall, and leaf litter that collects around them.

And although one might think that tropical flora thrives on constant moisture, the roots of Christmas cacti need to be well aerated, so they never oversaturate and rot.

Potting Mix Essentials

Once we understand the conditions under which a plant grows in nature, we can begin to replicate the environment for indoor gardening.

For the Christmas cactus, this means that we need to meet four basic needs:

  1. Provide support in the form of a pot and substrate, such as soil or a soilless potting medium, to hold plants upright.
  2. Supply nutrition because there is no leaf litter.
  3. Deliver water, as there is no rainfall.
  4. Inhibit oversaturation via optimal airflow and adequate drainage.

These requirements can be fulfilled with proper care and a combination of appropriate substrates with or without a soil base.

A Soil-Based Approach

When you buy a plant, it’s growing in a medium that has supported its growth to this point.

And while Schlumbergera likes to be snug and even a bit root bound, there may come a day when you want to give yours a bigger pot, or refresh the medium in the current pot.

Now before you head out to the garden for supplemental soil, consider this:

Ground soil can be used for your Christmas cactus, but it may be deficient in nutrients and heavy in consistency, and will require some amendments.

The horticultural pros at New Mexico University recommend amending it with organic matter such as compost, as well as sand or fine gravel, to enrich and loosen it, so that it drains well.

In addition, they suggest heating the soil (in an outdoor location because it will have an odor) at a temperature of 160°F for 30 minutes to sterilize it before use. The sterilization process inhibits pests and diseases that may pose a threat to plant health.

A useful formula for a soil-based potting mix is:

Combine thoroughly and fill a pot that has holes in the bottom for drainage.

This is an airy, balanced, organically-rich blend that drains exceptionally well. It is unlikely to harbor pests, diseases, or weed seeds after sterilization.

An alternative is to go soilless.

Soilless Resources

You can avoid soil altogether by making a lightweight combination of substrate materials that nourishes, allows air to circulate, and drains well.

Organically-rich mediums like compost, peat, and worm castings are rich in nutrients, but they can be quite dense.

Amendments such as perlite (a volcanic rock), sphagnum moss, and vermiculite (a mineral), are widely used to turn dense matter into a fluffy blend loaded with air pockets that drains well, while still retaining an ample supply of water.

Coconut coir in the form of chopped coconut husks is another common additive that creates gaps for airflow and drainage, and it also absorbs copious amounts of water.

And finally, fir and pine bark also facilitate airflow and drainage, but neither retains as much water as the other materials. This is advantageous for an epiphyte that is unused to perpetually wet pot life.

When added to amended organically-rich matter, materials such as charcoal, fine gravel, horticultural pumice, and sand can help to further loosen, aerate, and drain.

Another element that often supplements substrate blends is limestone. It regulates the pH when acidic organic matter like peat and bark are present. Christmas cacti require a moderately acidic pH, in the 5. 7 to 6.5 range.

When you browse garden center shelves or shop online, you’ll be bombarded by products with various combinations of the ingredients listed above. Among them, you’ll find concoctions specifically designed for cacti and succulents, as well as orchids.

It would be natural to gravitate toward a cactus and succulent option, but Schlumbergera is a rainforest epiphyte, not a desert cactus. This type of product usually contains perlite or vermiculite, the water hogs of the amendments.

Moving along in your shopping, you’ll find options designed for orchids. Most orchids are also epiphytes, and products for them generally contain coconut coir or bark chips.

Bark is the quickest drying of the water-absorbing materials. Both bark and coir disintegrate and compact over time, but work well when combined with other ingredients.

Why not take advantage of the best features of products made for both cacti and orchids, and adjust their tendency to oversaturate with a third additive?

A handy formula for a soilless potting mix, ideal for your Christmas cactus is:

Thoroughly combine and fill a container with adequate drainage holes.

This blend is texturally-rich, so it’s airy and lightweight. This gives the roots room to breathe, and excess water drains away with ease.

Where to Buy

Ready to make your own soilless potting mix? Here’s where to get the ingredients:

There are numerous cactus and succulent products available, but I particularly like Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix.

Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix

This product combines horticultural pumice, coconut coir, and organic compost.

Find Tank’s-Pro Cactus and Succulent Mix now in 1.5-cubic foot packages from Arbico Organics.

For the orchid mix, this all-natural product contains a mixture of charcoal, coconut chips (coir), pine bark, and sponge rock (perlite).

Orchid Potting Mix

Find all-natural Orchid Potting Mix now in 1-, 4-, and 8-quart packages from Perfect Plants via Amazon.

And to optimize aeration and drainage, horticultural pumice is an ideal option.

Horticultural Grade Pumice

You can find Horticultural Grade Pumice now in 2.5-dry-quart packages from the Succulent Cult via Amazon.

A Custom Fit

It’s just like with people. Sometimes, one size just doesn’t fit all – especially when your name says cactus, but you’re really an epiphyte unaccustomed to having your feet in the dirt, let alone when it’s wet. Geez!

With a nutrient-rich, aerated, well-draining substrate for support and sustenance, tailored specifically to its needs, your Christmas cactus can enjoy its best indoor life.

Do you use a soil-based or soilless potting mix for your Christmas cactus? Share your tips in the comments section below!

If you found this article informative, you’re sure to enjoy these additional articles on Christmas cacti next:

© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Arbico Organics, Perfect Plants, and The Succulent Cult. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.

Best Soil for Christmas Cactus

Some of the resources below may be affiliate links, meaning I get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) is a wonderful festive houseplant that looks great as an indoor and outdoor plant. Just like any plant, this holiday succulent has specific soil requirements. In this article, I’ll be outlining Christmas cactus soil requirements, the best soil for Christmas cactus and how to make your own potting mix! 

Learn more on Christmas cactus care such as; common Christmas cactus bugs, how to revive a Christmas cactus and how to save an overwatered Christmas cactus! 

Unlike most cacti, the Christmas cactus, as well as Easter and Thanksgiving cactus are all tropical plants, instead of a desert plant. They are still considered a succulent, which means they hold water in their stems and can go long periods of time without watering. For this reason, they require specific soil requirements. 

1 Christmas cactus soil requirements

2 Best potting soil for Christmas cactus

2.1 The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix

2.2 Hoffman 10410 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

2.3 Espoma CA4 4-Quart Organic Cactus Mix

3 DIY Christmas cactus soil mix

3.1 Christmas cactus soil mix recipe

4 Best soil for Christmas cactus concluded

4. 1 Related Posts:

Christmas cactus soil requirements

The best Christmas cactus soil type has to meet certain conditions. Being native to Brazil, the Christmas cactus is an epiphyte. What this means is, in its natural environment it grows on the trunks of larger trees and gains most of its moisture from the air. The roots of a Christmas cactus will harvest into decomposing leaves and debris that has fallen from the tree. 

Because of this makeshift soil and the fact that the Christmas cactus is often high up in the air, you’ll need a soil that will dry out very easily. Essentially what this means is that the number one Christmas cactus soil requirement is that it is well-draining. Without a well-draining soil, too much water will be absorbed and you will end up with problems such as Christmas cactus root rot!

What is a well draining soil? Usually, for a soil to be well draining, it needs to be a blend of organic material and inorganic material. If you are shopping for the best soil for Christmas cactus, look out for the ingredients perlite (20% – 40%) and peat moss. These will be what makes it fast-draining. 

Secondly, Christmas cactus soil requirements will need a good pH level. The Christmas cactus enjoys a slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7. If you are using existing succulent soil with a higher pH, then you can try putting coffee grounds on a Christmas cactus to balance the pH level out. If you are purchasing new soil, then look out for limestone as this is the ingredient added to level out the pH. 

Best potting soil for Christmas cactus

If you’re looking for the best soil for Christmas cactus and are happy to order online, then below are my very favorite potting soils for Christmas cactus. I have used all of these before and have no complaints.

Each has pros and cons of their own which I’ll discuss but all in all, I find these are the best potting mix for a Christmas cactus. 

The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix

Ingredients: 75% substrate, 25% perlite, low fertilizer.

This is my go to holiday cactus potting mix. In my experience, it is the best Christmas cactus soil. It is both affordable and great quality. 

The organic blend is optimized for a pH of 5.5, which is slightly more acidic than regular potting soil for houseplants. It is also extremely lightweight, well draining and contains 25% perlite. 

This will need no adjustments and you can tell just by looking at the consistency of this Christmas cactus soil that it is mixed well. I’ve used this to repot numerous cacti and succulents and have no complaints. 

It is well packaged and is easily resealable. It arrived within a couple of days ordering and was neatly packaged with no damage done to the box! 

Buy now >> 

Hoffman 10410 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix

Ingredients: Canadian Sphagnum Peat moss, Reed Sedge Peat, Perlite, Sand, Limestone

The blend of peat, perlite and sand is what makes this a well-draining Christmas cactus soil. The use of limestone is what balances out the pH and it is specially formulated for both desert and jungle cacti. 

Hoffman is a well-established brand and I have used numerous products from them in the past. This soil will work fantastically with your holiday cactus and I have never had any issues. 

The packaging comes in a resealable bag and the product isn’t overpriced for the quality you are getting. 

It is fairly heavy on the organic material, so don’t be surprised if you find some larger than expected twigs and rocks in the mix. Because of the large amount of debris, I wouldn’t use this to report smaller succulents. However, for a Christmas cactus, this soil is ideal.

Buy now >>

Espoma CA4 4-Quart Organic Cactus Mix

Ingredients: Peat Humus, Sphagnum Peat Moss, Sand, Perlite, Earthworm Castings, Limestone

Containing all the basic ingredients for a great Christmas cactus soil, Espoma organic cactus mix essentially does what it says on the tin.  

Although it is one of the best ready-made potting soils on the market, I do find that sometimes I need to add just a little extra perlite to the mix to make it well draining. That being said, it is the only negative I have to say about this product.

Overall, it is a good mix, with all the correct ingredients. It is nicely packaged and isn’t super expensive. On the whole, if you are looking for a Christmas cactus potting mix then this one will do nicely. 

Using Espoma organic cactus mix in conjunction with a good quality cactus fertilizer will definitely help your Christmas cactus bloom.

Buy now >> 

These are my top 3 best potting soils for a Christmas cactus. I have tried a few others on the market, but find that they either aren’t as well-draining as I would like or haven’t got the right pH level. If you would like any more information on any of the products before you buy, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

DIY Christmas cactus soil mix

I know a lot of people that would rather get creative and DIY your own Christmas cactus soil mix. For this, you will need a number of different ingredients, all affordable, and get your gardening gloves to the ready! 

Typically, I use one of the ready-mixed potting soils above, however from time to time I do like to get messy and make my own Christmas cactus soil mix. I have given details below about the ingredients I use, and the quantity of which I use them. 

Christmas cactus soil mix recipe

For this ultimate Christmas cactus soil mix recipe, you will need the following ingredients; sterile compost or garden loam, perlite, peat moss.  

Mixing your Christmas cactus soil together is easy, simply use equal parts of each ingredient and give it a good mix. The compost or loam will provide your holiday plant with the nutrients it needs and help retain the goodness. The perlite and peat moss provides for a well draining soil. 

You should also be using a good fertilizer on your Christmas cactus and I recommend using Schultz Cactus Liquid Plant Food as it is cheap, cheerful, and does the job! 

You will also need to adjust the pH level of your Christmas cactus soil recipe. To do this you can either add limestone to your mix or try using coffee grounds. 

Making your own Christmas cactus soil is great fun, however, when buying each ingredient separately it can become quite pricey! I find that using the pre-mixes I have discussed above works just as well and will save you a lot of time. 

Best soil for Christmas cactus concluded

I hope you have found this article helpful and are now well equipped with knowledge in choosing the best Christmas cactus soil for your wonderful holiday plant. 

I have talked about the 3 best potting soils for a Christmas cactus and outlined why I like to use them. As a quick overview, these were: 

Obviously, there are hundreds of cactus potting soils on the market and I’m sure there are plenty of others that work great with a holiday cactus. These 3 are just the ones I personally choose to use and have experience with. 

When looking for the best product to purchase, the main Christmas cactus soil requirements you need to look out for are the ingredients perlite (20% – 40%) and peat moss. This is what will make the soil well-draining. 

You should also keep an eye out for limestone as this is used as a pH balancer. 

If you need any other assistance or advice on Christmas cactus soil, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you! 

Alternatively, you can read up on some common questions below: 

care, proper watering, fertilization, flowering, reproduction

Decembrist (Schlumbergera) belongs to the cactus family. Almost all cacti cultivated in room culture are hybrids. Their parents are Schlumbergera truncata and Schlumbergera russelliana, which grow as epiphytes in the rainforests of South America.

Flowers may be pink, red, orange or white. In room culture grows up to 60 cm in height.

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) or Decembrist (common name) blooms from late November to late January.

Origin: Brazilian tropical jungle.

The growing season runs from March to September. One flower blooms for several days, the total flowering lasts from one to two months.

Note! - when compiling a soil mixture or when buying it, it must be remembered that the Decembrist is an epiphyte cactus. Some species of this cactus are native to the highlands. The Decembrist in its natural habitat grows on the branches of trees or between rocks. The soil must provide a quick runoff of water.

Under natural conditions, tree leaves regulate the illumination of the cactus and the amount of moisture it receives during precipitation. He receives the lion's share of dressings in the form of bird droppings.

The Easter cactus produces flowers much more easily than the Christmas cactus and tends to bloom more profusely. Both plants are quite hardy and easy to care for. In order for cacti to bloom every year, it is necessary to provide them with the recommended conditions of detention. In the Christmas cactus, the lateral branches form a V-shaped angle.

The best decorative properties of the cactus will show if you provide him with conditions close to natural.

Lighting

Optimal illumination - diffused sunlight. The cactus easily tolerates a decrease in light to partial shade.

In order for the Decembrist to develop and bloom normally, a couple of hours of diffused light is enough for him, and the rest of the time - partial shade. Note! - 30% penumbra is considered ideal. In autumn / winter, the maximum possible lighting for the plant is permissible.

During the period of vegetative growth, it is useful to turn the cactus every week by 90 0 to form a bush of the correct shape. During the period of budding and flowering, DECEMBER SHOULD NOT BE TURNED relative to the light source.

Watering

The optimal frequency of watering is with moderate drying of the earthen clod between waterings.

With the end of the growing season, the need for cactus water decreases. But the recommended frequency of watering is maintained - with moderate drying of the earthen coma. Due to the fact that the earth ball will dry longer, the intervals between waterings will increase. In autumn / winter, if you are in doubt about the need for watering, then it is better to water the plant the next day.

Overwatering is the main killer of Schlumbergera. The situation with excessive watering is exacerbated at ambient temperatures below 21 0 C.

After watering, do not leave excess water for a long time, which has drained into the pan.

Air humidity

Optimum air humidity is moderate (about 50-60% relative humidity).

Fertilizer

Complex mineral fertilizers containing N-P-K=10-6-8 are used as top dressings. Top dressing is carried out from the end of March to August. After the buds are formed, we resume top dressing.

Feeding frequency - once every 3 to 4 weeks. Fertilizer concentration - ½ of the recommended for indoor plants.

After top dressing, if the fertilizer has got on the plant, it must be washed off within a few hours. Otherwise, chemical burns form on the stems, especially in hot weather.

Fertilizers containing N-P-K=0-10-10 are used for feeding young, recently established plants.

After the plant has faded, stop fertilizing for a month.

Flowering

Schlumbergera is a plant capable of flowering at almost any time of the year. For the formation of buds and subsequent abundant flowering, the following conditions must be met:

When forcing Schlumbergera under industrial conditions during the formation of flower buds, the following temperatures are maintained:

After the end of the bud formation period, increase the temperature:

The development of Schlumbergera flower buds depends on the combination of temperatures and daylight hours; such a dependence is also called thermo- and photoperiodic.

Temperature

At temperatures above +16 0 C vegetative growth occurs, flower formation will be minimal if at all.

Some Schlumbergera hybrids may have seasonally varying flower colors. A bright yellow hybrid may be dark yellow in the next flowering season, or a dark red may be light red, etc. This happens under the influence of temperature when Schlumbergera forms flower buds.

Temperature below 0 0 C is not allowed for Schlumbergera. Permissible temperature: from +2 0 C to +38 0 C. Optimum temperature for cactus development in spring and summer: from +18 0 C to +30 0 C.

On hot summer days at temperatures above +33 0 C, a slight wilting of the vegetative part of the cactus may occur (with a wet earthy coma). Exit: reduce the illumination of the plant - rearrange it in a shaded place, increase the humidity of the air or reduce the temperature.

Air temperature +38 0 C - critical. For several days, the cactus can tolerate this temperature without damage. Longer maintenance will lead to damage to the vegetative part of the plant (discoloration, partial necrosis of the ground part).

When the air temperature drops below +16 0 With the development of Schlumbergera becomes sluggish. When the temperature drops to +7 0 C and below, the development of the cactus almost freezes.

Cutting

Pruning Schlumbergera increases its density, and increases the abundance of flowers during flowering in the next season, and also promotes the development of the root system.

Cutting can be done with any cutting tool. The cut of the stem is always carried out at the point of narrowing of the stem - between two plates (the plates are also called phylloclades). After pruning, each stem produces two to five branches. With the correct formation of the plant, up to 300 flowers can bloom on it at the same time.

It is best to prune your Christmas cactus after it has finished flowering.

Soil

Permissible acidity of the soil mixture pH from 6.1 (slightly acidic) to 7.8 (slightly alkaline). The optimal acidity pH is from 6.5 to 7.0.

Schlumbergera differs from most cacti in that it prefers soil mixtures rich in organic matter.

Suggested soil mix recipe: 2 parts leafy earth + 1 part perlite or coarse sand + 1 part humus + 10% charcoal + 10% brick chips + 10% pine humus + 10g bone meal (for every 10l of mixture).

The use of ready mix for cacti is not recommended as it is poor in nutrients.

Transplant

The frequency of Schlumbergera transplants is once a year. The purpose of transplanting is usually:

Transplantation is carried out in mid-summer / late summer / early autumn.

The material from which the pot is made is of no fundamental importance when planting Schlumbergera. In ceramic, unglazed pots, moisture will evaporate faster - it will be necessary to water the plant more often. The pot must have a drainage hole to drain the water.

When transplanting, the vegetative part of Schlumbergera is partially cut off (up to 50%).

When transplanting, do not use too large a pot (10% larger than the previous one), otherwise the plant will increase the vegetative mass at the expense of flowering.

When planting / transplanting Decembrist prefers to be planted in a wide, but not deep pot.

Decembrist reproduces vegetatively in room culture. Reproduction is carried out in spring or summer.

Part of the stem consisting of two plates is used as propagating material. After cutting the cuttings, the cut point is dried in the air for two days, in the shade.

Photo1. The upper (young) part of the cutting, not used for propagation

Photo2. Cuttings used for propagation

Photo3. Aerial roots

Photo4. Cuttings with aerial roots

We make a soil mixture for rooting cuttings. The composition of the mixture: 1 part vermiculite + 1 part charcoal + 2 parts leaf humus. The mixture must be sterilized.

For rooting cuttings I use disposable cups or technical pots No. 5 and No. 6. Pour the mixture into a pot, insert the cutting into it, deepening it by ½ of the plate. Watering.

Conditions for rooting cuttings:

What is good about disposable cups for rooting cuttings - you can see when the roots have formed. After the formation of roots, the young plant is transplanted into the soil mixture as for adult plants.

Diseases

1) Drechslera Cladophyll is a fungal disease. Schlumbergera are very sensitive to Drechslera.

The symptoms are growing black putrid spots over time. The entire above ground part of the plant is affected.

There is no effective treatment.

2) Erwinia (soft rot) - causes wet, slippery black lesions.

There is no effective treatment.

3) Pythium spp, Phytophora - root rots.

There is no effective treatment.

The main way to combat the above diseases is disease prevention (see the section of the site "DISEASES").

Pests

Snails, slugs, earthworms, mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, nematodes and thrips.

This list of pests is given taking into account the likely content of a cactus in the summer on the street. Methods and methods of pest control are described in the PESTS section.

Physiological problems

1) The leaves have a corrugated appearance - this is the effect of insufficient watering.

2) Flower buds fall off.

During the budding (flowering) period, the plant must not be rotated relative to the light source. Another reason for the fall of the buds is sudden changes in temperature or the earthen lump was overdried.

3) Pale diseased stems. The reason is overfeeding the plant with fertilizers. Stop fertilizing, water the soil mixture with plenty of water.

Truncated Zygocactus (Christmas cactus). Proper care -

Zygocactus

Christmas cactus is Zygocactus , or Schlumbergera .

This plant was originally called Zygocactus, but over time it was included in the genus Schlumberger. According to Thomas H. Boyle of the University of Massachusetts, most of the hybrids of this cactus are from Schlumbergera russelliana and Schlumbergera truncata . These epiphytic plants are native to South America (particularly Brazil).

Some experts divide this group of cacti into cacti that bloom in mid-October and by Catholic Christmas (December 25).

The first subgroup includes derivatives of S. Truncata, which are characterized by stem shoots with more pronounced teeth. Their natural flowering comes a little earlier than that of the Christmas cactus.

The real Christmas cactus is a hybrid of S. Truncata and S. Russelliana. They arose as a result of breeding work in the 1800s. Their stems have more segments and teeth at the edges.

Content of the article:

  1. Location
  2. Watering
  3. Care and formation of zygocactus
  4. Zygocactus care calendar
  5. Propagation of zygocactus
  6. Related videos: Zygocactus or Schlumbergera (Decembrist) and Sedum Morgana

Today, as a result of most crosses, these differences are almost imperceptible to the consumer. The new hybrids flower in the northern hemisphere in November and December and have features common to both subgroups. These plants can bloom even at the end of October in cooler northern countries.

In USA and Europe Zygocactus mainly blooms from mid-October to late December. This plant is extremely easy to grow and is affected by a minimum number of diseases and pests. These cacti bloom annually and live much longer than other popular plants. If you learn all the basic principles of care, you will enjoy annual flowering for twenty years, or even longer.

A huge number of hybrids are produced commercially around the world. Usually, most of them are immediately patented, which can be seen on the packaging label. They differ from the rest in their general shape and beauty of the flower, which is achieved by many years of painstaking work of breeders. Thanks to the patent, the breeder can share the cost of developing the hybrid, as well as continue further research through funding.

The range of different shapes and colors grows every year. Colors, in addition to the traditional white and red, include lavender, salmon, peach, red-orange, yellow, orange-red. There may also be multi-colored flowers. Plants are hung in baskets or planted in pots.

However, some of the new hybrids tend to grow vertically, so they are intended for potting only.

Location

Christmas cactus

These plants need reflected or diffused sunlight. For optimum growth, 75% to 85% sunlight is fine. With increasing light, stunted growth or yellowing of the edges of the leaves may occur. It is best to place the plant near a sunny window in light shade (for example, from curtains or other plants).

Zygocacti are not picky about temperature and can live in the range from 2 to 38 degrees. But still, optimal plant growth is observed at a temperature of 18 to 30 degrees.

Unlike other types of cacti, zygocacti are not as succulent, so they need almost the same watering as deciduous plants.

Zygocactus should be watered when the topsoil in the pot is dry. Thanks to the drainage, excess water will drain through the hole at the bottom, preventing waterlogging.

Zygocactus do not need much feeding. If you grow them in greenhouses, then top dressing should be carried out once a week. At home, top dressing should be done 2-4 times a year. The fertilizer should be a high quality, water-soluble mixture of nitrogen with balanced phosphorus and potassium and a small amount of other elements. A balanced mixture of 20-20-20 (N-P-K) is optimal. With uniform watering with ordinary water, the soil is enriched with soluble salts. Top dressing should be stopped a month before the formation of buds.

Humidity - moderate.

Care and formation of zygocactus

Care and formation of zygocactus

After flowering, it is recommended to pluck the stem segments. This will improve the shape of the plant. To do this, select the separation point, then pinch the stem segment between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, and separate the upper one with a rotational movement. As a result, one or two segments should be separated. Remember, never cut segments.

By plucking, the flowers will be more abundant and the stems will be stronger and will be able to bear more flowers.

Well-groomed and properly formed Zygocactus can bloom and grow up to 20 years (sometimes more). During this time, the stem of the plant becomes woody.

The strong flowering standard form of Zygocactus (Christmas cactus) can be obtained by grafting. Peiresky cactus is used as the plant that is grafted (rootstock). Its top is cut off with a sharp knife, and the stem remaining on top is slightly split with a knife, and then a cutting of 2-3 zygocactus segments is inserted into the split. It should be fixed with a thorn or a long peyreschia spike, and the grafting site should be tied with a woolen thread. After the sections have grown together, the leaves should be removed from the peiriskia and the bandage removed. After the zygocactus develops a crown, it should be tied to a peg to avoid breaking off. In soil culture, it grows in a mixture of leafy and soddy soil with an admixture of sand (1: 1), peat is occasionally added (1 part), or it is grown on peat alone.

Zygocactus care calendar

Zygocactus care calendar

Winter

From December to January, the Christmas cactus will delight you with its beautiful, bell-shaped flowers with pointed petals. You should regularly water the cactus, as well as make the necessary fertilizers for it. Do not move the zygocactus under any circumstances. In February, watering should be reduced a little and the plant kept in a cool room. This rest period will last until March.

Spring

Already at the end of April or May you can transplant or propagate Zygocactus. The plant is most easily propagated by parts of the stem, which consist of several cuttings. Cut cuttings should be dried until a vitreous film forms on the cut surface (2-3 days). Then root in special soil.

The soil mixture should be of soddy, leafy earth and sand (1:2:1). You should add some charcoal to the prepared mixture, and before planting, put expanded clay gravel on the bottom of the pot for drainage.

Summer

It is recommended to take the zygocactus to fresh air (you can take it to the balcony). The plant needs diffused light, so it should be protected from direct sunlight. It should be watered abundantly with soft water when the soil dries.

Autumn

As a preparation before flowering, you should gradually reduce the amount of water, and also move the zygocactus to a cool place (recommended temperature is 10-14 degrees). Limiting watering and coolness will enhance bud development. Buds will begin to form in November. Watering should be increased, as well as the plant should be moved to a warmer place (recommended temperature is at least 15 degrees).

Zygocactus propagation

Zygocactus propagation

Zygocactus (Christmas cactus) is propagated in April-May by stem cuttings of 2-3 segments. The cuttings must be dried until a vitreous film forms at the cut site (2-3 days). Root should be in the soil or in wet sand.

Transplanting

Zygocactus is transplanted before the start of growth and until the moment of budding.

Soil

All Zygocacti grow best in peaty soil. In order to avoid infestation by pests and diseases, the soil must be breathable and light. The recommended soil acidity is from 5.5 to 6.5.

Possible difficulties

Insects that are dangerous to other plants do not infect zygocactus. Slugs can be dangerous for them (infection by them is a rare occurrence).

Some fungal and bacterial bacteria are common among zygocacti. The most common bacterial infection is caused by the Erwinia group of bacteria. First, a wet, dark spot appears at the base of the stem, after which the disease covers the entire stem. Also, in some related bacterial contagious diseases, stem tissues become discolored, acquiring a reddish tint.

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