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.
