The holiday cacti are tolerant of dry, slightly under-watered conditions during the spring and summer. … Fertilize plants monthly from the time new growth starts in late winter or early spring, and throughout the summer using a one-half strength soluble fertilizer, such as a 20-10-20 or 20-20-20 with trace elements.
How do I keep my Thanksgiving cactus blooming?
- Cool Air: Give your holiday cactus chilly air (50 to 55 F at night) for 6 to 8 consecutive weeks. The easiest way to do this is to place plants outdoors on a porch or other sheltered spot. …
- Darkness: Holiday cactus plants need 13 (or more) hours of darkness each night.
Is Miracle Grow good for Christmas cactus?
Plant your Christmas cactus in Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm &, Citrus Potting Mix. … Feed from after blooming until fall with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. Give your Christmas cactus 6 weeks of extra darkness and lower temps to encourage blooming. Prune after blooming for the best shape.
How do I make my Thanksgiving cactus thicker?
You’ll get a fuller plant by pruning. Cutting it back in spring will encourage the plant to branch out where the stem was cut. Flowers emerge from the ends of the stems so you’ll get more blooms this way. Spring is the best time to prune it back, when it begins actively growing again.
When should I fertilize my Christmas cactus?
The feeding season of the Christmas cactus is the same as the growing season. This means that it will need to be fed right before it blooms, which should be about from April to October of the year. With the right fertilizer and a proper feeding schedule, you should have bright blooms just in time for Christmas.
How do you fertilize a Thanksgiving cactus?
Fertilize monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the same week as the regular fertilizer. Stop fertilization during the late summer for greater flower bud production in the fall.
Should I water my Thanksgiving cactus while it’s blooming?
Flowers of the Thanksgiving cactus and its relatives are produced from the tips, or from where the leaf segments join. … To care for your Thanksgiving cactus, allow the soil to dry out during “resting periods,” or in other words, when it is not producing blooms. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Is coffee good for Christmas cactus?
The answer is simple, yes! Coffee grounds can work on almost any type of cactus or succulent. … Most water has an alkaline pH of around 8, whereas cactus like between 5.8 – 7 pH. This means that each time you water your Christmas cactus or succulent, you are actually feeding it a higher pH than what it likes.
Should I mist my Christmas cactus?
Instead of watering it like you would a traditional plant, you should be misting your cactus every day. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.
Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?
Christmas cacti have a higher requirement for magnesium than many plants. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the same week as regular fertilizer.
What should I feed my Christmas cactus?
Feed a Christmas cactus with a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water to 50% strength. In addition, fertilize the plant with a monthly application of a magnesium sulfate solution at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water, but don’t apply the same week you add the plant food.
Are Christmas cactus acid loving plants?
Christmas Cactus prefer an acid soil ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 on the pH scale. … NOTE: Christmas Cactus flower best when they are pot-bound so don’t move up to too large of a container. I usually repot my Christmas Cactus about every three years.
What is the best fertilizer for cactus?
Most cacti and succulents don’t need a specific blend. They grow healthy and happy when fed with a highly diluted all-purpose fertilizer. However, a low-nitrogen content, water-soluble fertilizer is best suited for the job. Use a 5-10-10 blend or 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted to 1/4th strength.