Merry Blooming Christmas! (Christmas Cactus)

Member Name: Zmugzy

Product:	Christmas Cactus
Date:	02/12/08 (386 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to grow and brightens up dark winter days.

Disadvantages: They'l live longer than you will

I used to think Christmas Cacti were quite boring. I've had one of years. But my humble little Christmas Cactus really is quite an exotic specimen. These cacti are related to the Schlumbergera - a genus of tree-dwelling cacti from the Organ Mountains north of Rio de Janeiro in south-east Brazil. In Brazil they are called May Flowers (Flores de maio). In their natural tropical rainforest habitat these cacti grow as epiphytes - plants that grow on the trunks or branches of trees where they are able to take advantage of regular rainfall that flows from the tree tops and drains off the roots of the plant quickly. Schlumbergera are generally only found at higher regions of between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level.

Christmas Cacti are one of the easiest plants to grow. They will survive long periods of drought and unless you're really careless, it's very hard to over-water them. They usually flower between November and March, as long as they have been grown well during the summer by keeping the soil moist and by leaving them in quite cool temperatures. A little plant feed from time to time also helps. Indoors they should be kept in a naturally well lit area, but never put them on a windowsill that receives direct sunlight.

According to the experts, new flower buds are encouraged if the plant is left in at least 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness in late summer and autumn every night. In order to achieve this, I've never resorted to placing a cover over the plant as some suggest, but instead have always relied on natural light. I think the problem is that some people will leave their plant close to an artificial light source that is switched on in the evening. This may thwart flower development. Centrally heated rooms are also a bad idea. A warm atmosphere in winter will stultify flower buds and reduce the period of bloom. At the other extreme, temperatures below 10oC may also prevent flowers from developing. The ideal temperature for these plants ranges between 10oC (50oF) and 18oC (65oF).

Flower buds will form as days shorten and the evenings get darker. I still find it rather uncanny how these plants develop buds and then go into full bloom in time for Christmas. I have had one plant now for over ten years and it never fails to do this. The Christmas Cactus benefits from a resting period after flowering and should be kept in a cool environment during this period with the soil kept quite dry. In the long term, this is a plant that does seem to possess eternal properties, they are truly everlasting plants.

It's very easy to take cuttings from your Christmas Cactus. Just cleanly break off a healthy leaf segment and stick it a quarter of its length deep in a pot filled with slightly sandy soil. I find normal compost works fine. Cuttings are best taken in Spring. You can add some root powder to the base of the leaf segment in order to encourage growth, but I have taken cuttings many times without using root powder and have never had a problem. You're bound to see these plants being sold somewhere at present - in recent years I've seen them on shelves at M&S and even in Aldi for about £3.

I must have been doing something right this year, because my Christmas Cactus plant now has more flower buds on it than ever before. I think it's probably because of an evening I never have artificial light switched on in the room where it is situated, plus the fact that, now in winter, my flat is always freezing cold.

Have a Merry Blooming Christmas!

Summary: Growing Christmas Cacti