CHRISTMAS CACTUS PLANTS and PLANT CARE

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THE CHRISTMAS CACTUS:

The Christmas Cactus is probably the second most popular
christmas season plant behind the poinsettia.

The Christmas Cactus is from a cacti native to the South
American jungles

The Christmas Cactus is easy to care for and can be grown
indoors throughout the year. The Christmas Cactus flowers
are available in a wide variety of colors including yellow,
salmon, pink, fuschia and white.

The Christmas Cactus will adjust to low light settings but it
will do better and produce more blooms in high light areas

Keep the Christmas Cactus in a sunny indoor location. If
you place the Cactus outdoors make sure it stays in semi to
full shade. The direct sun will burn the leaves of the
Christmas Cactus Plant.

The Christmas Cactus requires well drained soil for best
results. A prepackaged potting mix for succulent plants will
work great.

The Christmas Cactus is not like regular cactus. The plant
requires water. When the top of the soil feels dry to the
touch it is time to water your cactus.

Fertilize the Christmas Cactus in the spring when new
growth starts to appear. A liquid houseplant fertilizer can
be added every 2 to 3 weeks after that.

The Christmas Cactus prefers warm temperatures but keep
the plant away from fireplaces and direct heat sources.

Repot the Christmas Cactus when the pot get overcrowded
with roots or if the plant looks unhealthy.

Getting the Christmas Cactus to bloom can be a challenge.
To force the plant into blooming you have to give the
cactus at least 12 hours of darkness each night. To have
your Christmas Castus blooming at Christmas time you will
need to start the dark treatments in late September to Mid
October. Place the cactus in a dark closet from 8pm to 8am
each night for 6 to 8 weeks or until you see the buds
starting to form. Do not fertilize or overwater while the
buds are forming. Once you see the buds you can move
your cactus back to normal light and temperatures. Keep
the soil moist and fertilize every other week.

Christmas Cactus should bloom November - January

Heirloom Garden Experts
http://www.heirloomgardenexperts.com/articles/christmas-cactus.htm

This site has a very good article about taking care of your Christmas
Cactus

PlanTea

http://www.plantea.com/christmas-cactus.htm

Marion Owen asks Is your Christmas Cactus misbehaving? Does it
wilt, shrivel, look pale or refuse to bloom? Check out her answers.

Flowers.Org.uk

http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants/plantfacts/christmas-cactus.htm

Descriptions, Care Tips and Trivia about the Christmas Cactus from
the Flowers & Plants Association that promotes cut flowers and
indoor plants in the UK