Christmas Cactus Propagation
The holiday cactus is a family of different types of cactus that grow during the time of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The species that grows during the month of November and December is Schlumbergera bridgesii, commonly known as Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. The different types of cultivars are named according to their appearance and color. To name a few, they are Christmas charm, white Christmas, Christmas magic, Christmas cheer, lavender doll, etc. The color of the flowers range from red, purple, pink, yellow, carmine, lavender, white, etc. Christmas cactus propagation is carried out a few months before the festival falls so that the plant blooms completely by that time. Propagating Christmas cactus can be done easily at home if you provide the optimal conditions required for its growth and maintenance.
How to Propagate a Christmas Cactus
There are certain specific conditions required for the growth of a Christmas cactus. Consider providing adequate temperature, light, water, moisture and the soil conditions for maximum growth of foliage. The conditions required for propagation of Christmas cactus plants are as follows.
Propagation of the plant should start during summer or spring season to get the desired bloom during Christmas time. The plant grows by vegetative propagation method wherein a short stem is required to initiate the growth of the plant. An incision is made in the stem that triggers the growth of the plant. The next step is preparation of the soil for its successful cultivation. The plant requires coarse and well-drained soil. The native plant grows best in rocky soil. A proportionate combination of perlite and peat moss acts as an excellent fertilizer for Christmas cactus. You can also spray a houseplant fertilizer to maintain the health of the plant. Read the instructions on the label before spraying the fertilizer. The roots of the plants are coated with rooting hormone powder before cultivating them in soil. The pH of the soil should range between 5.5-6.2 for adequate growth.
The plant propagates best under indirect sunlight although bright light is preferred at times. However, avoid direct source of light and heat, because chlorosis might take place in the leaves. You can keep the plant by the window. Place the plants under outdoor shade during the summer season. Maintain the temperature at 65-80F if you are growing it indoors. Maximum growth of foliage takes place if the soil is kept moderately moist. Simultaneously you have to be careful that the soil is adequately aerated throughout the growth period. However, do not end up watering too much as it will cause the stems to the rot. Excessive dry soil condition leads to early dropping of flowers and reduced flower size. Maintain humidity indoors when it's the growth season for the plants.
The plants will start blooming freshly if correct temperature is maintained during September and October. The temperature should be 50F during this period. Moreover, you should expose the plant to at least 12 hours of total darkness at night and to indirect light during the day. The plant will start flowering during mid-November due to the cold treatment and will continue blossoming during the entire Christmas time. Once the plant has bloomed completely you have to take care of it so that it survives till the next season. This implies pruning the plant after the blossoms have faded. Pruning accentuates branching of the plant. You can start a fresh propagation during the next spring from the sections of its stem.
This plant breed is one of the significant element of Christmas. The plants when grown in clusters look beautiful with the blooming of multicolored flowers, thereby making it a much sought after Christmas gift.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2013
(4371)
-
▼
February
(743)
- Makeup for Women Over 50
- Pierced Ear Problems
- Short Permed Hair
- Rook Piercing Pain
- Facial Toning Exercises
- Emo Hairstyles for Girls with Short Hair
- Compatibility between Capricorn and Libra
- What to Say to a Guy You Like
- Medium-Length Hairstyles for Prom
- Bathroom Renovation Checklist
- How to Organize a Beauty Pageant
- Flirting Tips for Guys
- Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony
- Detangler for Hair
- Gray Hair Cure
- Top Bathroom Colors 2012
- Types Of Jeans
- Lingual Frenulum Piercing
- Can You Afford a House
- Fashion Over 60
- Best Exfoliator for Men
- Interior Decorating Styles
- Anti Aging Vitamins for Women
- How to Make Furniture Look Distressed
- Retro Wedding Dresses
- Casual Wear for Men
- Are You Addicted to Makeup?
- Ghetto Hairstyles
- Patchouli Plant
- How to Make Friends and Keep Them
- Blue Tape Removal
- Bamboo Clothing
- Homemade Lip Scrub
- Workout Clothes for Men
- Haircuts for Frizzy Hair
- Dining Room Decorating Ideas
- Small Bathroom Makeover Ideas
- Wedding Card Boxes Ideas
- Steps to Become a Fashion Designer
- Lipstick Colors for African-American Women
- Metal Wall Art
- Decorating a Small Attic Bedroom
- What Makes a Good Friend
- Mascara for Men
- 7 Things Dads can do Better than Moms
- Military Inspired Fashion Trends
- Damaged Hair Care
- Dating Games Men Play
- Office Paint Color Ideas
- Best Foundation for Acne Prone Skin
- Country Style Decorating Ideas
- Cost to Add a Bathroom
- Nice Color Ideas for Your Room
- Why do Men Need Women in their Lives?
- 12 Most Sleep Deprived Jobs
- Sophisticated Hairstyles for Men
- Renaissance Clothing Patterns
- What Women Want in a Man
- Romantic Things to Do for Your Boyfriend
- How to Make Face Mask at Home
- How to Make Eyebrows Grow Faster
- Short Hairstyles for Cheerleaders
- Tattoo Placement Ideas
- Infant Ear Piercing
- How to Get Rid of Scars on Lips
- Outfit Ideas for a Concert
- Old Hollywood Hairstyles
- How to Apply Powder Foundation Properly
- Pakistan's Traditional Clothing
- Black Hair Braid Hairstyles
- Breakup Excuses and What They Mean
- Tongue Piercing Risks
- Rough Hair
- Sad Friendship Quotes
- Foam Hair Rollers
- Vitamins for Clear Skin
- How to Tell Your Roommate You're Moving Out
- How Much do Tattoos Hurt
- Hair Coloring and Highlighting Ideas
- Cosmetic Dentistry Prices
- Facial Skin Care for Men
- How to Remove a Stripped Screw
- Scottish People: Clothing and Jewelry
- Weave Hair Care
- Hairstyles for Plus Size Women
- Safe Beauty Products
- Cute Outfits
- Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas
- Best Friend Tattoos
- Makeup Looks for Brunettes
- How to Survive a Break Up
- How to Get Healthy Skin
- Lighten Dark Hair
- Oily Face Control
- Lowlights for Hair
- Funny Break Up Quotes
- I'd Like a Marriage License, Please?
- 10 Rules to Keep your Marriage Happy
- Best Khaki Pants for Women
- Flaming Heart Tattoo
-
▼
February
(743)