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- Q.Trying To Get My Christmas Cactus To Bloom. Live In Arizona Near Southern Border. - It's too warm in doors (too hot) so I have it outside in a enclosed shed. It's going down to ...
- Q.I Have 1 Very Small Section Left From A Beautiful Christmas Cactus. I Am Trying To Grow It, But It Is Not Growing. It Has Small Roots - but it has been months like this. Why? It is maybe 1/2 in. high and 1/4 wide. It started out ...
- Q.Do I Repot A New Blooming 4 Inch Christmas Cactus? - Purchased a new plant that is currently in bloom in a 4 inch pot. It looks good, but the soil ...
- Q.When Do You Take A Christmas Cactus Out Of Dark Time - When do you increase watering and how often do you fertilize a cactus. I have had this plant for 3 ...
- Q.How Do I Get My Christmas Cactus To Bloom? - My Christmas Cactus isn't blooming. I accidentally fertilized it 3 months ago. I also have been watering it (lightly) ...
- Q.Hello My Name Is Monica, I Need To Know How And Why My Christmas Cactus Buds Small Won’t Open? - Hello. I need to know why my buds won't open into flowers. I have had this plant since last year. ...
- Q.Flowers On A Christmas Cactus - My flowers have changed color and shape
Asked by
Anonymous on
October 27, 2019Q.Trying to get my Christmas cactus to bloom. Live in Arizona near southern border.
It's too warm in doors (too hot) so I have it outside in a enclosed shed. It's going down to mid 40's the next few nights and I would like to know if it will be alright! I would like to see it get some flowers this year being my first year. It' been repotted and it's getting pretty big. I leave it in the dark for 12 to 14 hours!
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 29, 2019
Certified ExpertA.It should be OK as long as it doesn't freeze in the shed. Be sure to bring it in during the day so it gets light. The shorter day lengths of fall and uninterupted darkness at night should instigate blooms. I notice with mine, cooler air also helps to bring on the buds. I used to leave mine in an unheated sunroom year round and they always budded. I then brought them into the warmth to bloom.
This article gives more tips on reblooming:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htmWas this answer useful?00
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- Asked by
Swd53 on
October 30, 2019
93955Q.I have 1 very small section left from a beautiful Christmas cactus. I am trying to grow it, but it is not growing. It has small roots
but it has been months like this. Why? It is maybe 1/2 in. high and 1/4 wide. It started out 1/4 in. high and 1/8 wide but, like I said, it has taken months to get it to this point. How can I get it to grow?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
October 31, 2019
Certified ExpertA.I'm afraid that this will be a slow process. You can help it out by raising the humidity some, though. It will produce roots faster in higher humidity.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-propagate-and-plant-christmas-cactus.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
November 11, 2019Q.Do I repot a new blooming 4 inch Christmas Cactus?
Purchased a new plant that is currently in bloom in a 4 inch pot. It looks good, but the soil seems to be pretty wet, which I read is not good for these plants. But I also read never to repot them when blooming. So far I removed the decorative paper from the pot and set the plant in a window that does not get direct sun, but offers light. I also elevated the pot slightly so it might possibly dry out some from the bottom up. So, do I leave it until blooms are gone or should I repot now due to the wetness of the soil?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 12, 2019
Certified ExpertA.It would be best to wait until the blooms are spent before repotting. Also, it is important to note that these will prefer a cactus mix. They will not do well in standard potting soil. This article will help with the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Sfinlays on
December 4, 2019
Yachats Oregon on coastQ.When Do You Take A Christmas Cactus Out Of Dark Time
When do you increase watering and how often do you fertilize a cactus. I have had this plant for 3 years and it has never bloomed. So I followed your suggestion to put it in dark cool place. I now have little pink buds a On leaves about 1/8th to 1/4 big.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
December 4, 2019
Certified ExpertA.Now would be the appropriate time to bring it into increasing daylight hours. This will help it to finish flowering.
Feeding can be done with an all purpose twice per year, granular. You can also feed once per month with a liquid feed, instead of twice per year with granular.
This article will help you to care for it, now that it is time to bring it out: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/epiphyllum/epiphyllum-plant-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
December 17, 2019Q.How do I get my Christmas Cactus to bloom?
My Christmas Cactus isn't blooming. I accidentally fertilized it 3 months ago. I also have been watering it (lightly) up to about 1 month ago. I have covered it with blankets and keep it on my porch where some of the nights have been very cold. (Not freezing) It's in the '60s during the day. Am I on the right path? Or is there something else I should be doing?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
December 17, 2019
Certified ExpertA.Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti should be in temperatures that do not drop below 50 degrees. If this is the case, the plant should be brought inside to a cool room.
Watering will need to be reduced as well.
The next factor includes the DURATION of DARK that it receives. It needs 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness to also initiate the bloom process. So place it in a room that you do not use in the evening.
These articles will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-make-a-christmas-cactus-bloom.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
December 28, 2019Q.Hello my name is Monica, I need to know how and why my Christmas cactus buds small won’t open?
Hello. I need to know why my buds won't open into flowers. I have had this plant since last year. But the snow almost took the whole plant out. I managed to save four or five stems. All summer I nourished it and took care of it and fertilized it and it is healthy. Now I have buds and the buds won't open. I have it outside under a little table with plastic covered over it so the freeze won't kill it. Why won't the buds open? It is a small plant. I didn't get it to grow big. I could have added more leaves in the same pot. But I didn't feel like it. Thank you. Please answer me to know what to do.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
December 28, 2019
Certified ExpertA.If you bring it inside where there is warmth, the buds should open. Christmas cactus is not hardy so you should bring it inside before the first freeze in the fall. Then you can move it outside during the summer to a shady area.
Here are more care instructions:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
janrandy48 on
January 2, 2020
Esko mn 55733Q.Flowers On A Christmas Cactus
My flowers have changed color and shape
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
January 3, 2020
Certified ExpertA.You have another variety mixed in with the traditional Christmas cactus. Kudos on getting it to bloom at the same time!
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