How To Grow A Christmas Cactus Or Schlumberger

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

In winter, there are not many plants that can please with flowering. One of the new species - epiphytic cactus Schlumberger (Schlumbergera), or rhipsalidopsis (Rhipsalidopsis).

It blooms by December and is traditionally called the Decembrist in our country, although in previous years this role was played by the "old familiar" epiphyllum, consisting of many small flat segments connected by a chain and covered with pink-crimson flowers. Schlumberger looks the same, only its articulated stems are larger and have serrated edges.

On sale you can find varieties with white, white-purple, scarlet, pink and cream flowers, somewhat reminiscent of orchids. A compact bush covered with numerous flowers is a wonderful gift for the New Year. In order for it to bloom longer, several important rules must be followed.

First of all, the plant cannot be rotated and rearranged from place to place relative to the light source, so that it does not throw off flowers and buds (it is better to mark its orientation to light on the pot while still in the store).

The air in the room should be humid, its temperature should not be lower than 10 ° C. In this case, spray mist should not fall on the flowers. The soil is kept moist, every two weeks it is fed with a weak solution of complete fertilizer for flowering plants (0.5 caps of uniflor-bud per 2 liters of warm water). Withered flowers are removed immediately.

At the end of flowering, watering is reduced and only enough water is given so that the stems do not shrivel. In the spring, they are exposed to a bright place, but shaded from the direct rays of the sun. At this time, it is convenient to root the cactus segments in a light sandy mixture, slightly deepening their lower edge. It can be rooted throughout the year, the plant often "drops" parts of the stem, which can themselves root on wet ground.

In the fall, there is a period of dormancy lasting four weeks. At this time, watering is stopped, the plants are transferred to a darker place and kept at night temperatures no higher than 15 ° C. It is in such conditions that flower buds are laid.

After resting, the Schlumberger is moved to a bright place, if necessary, transferred to a larger dish, watering is intensified, and feeding begins. When replanting, you need a good drainage layer, a light nutrient mixture, a pinch of nitrogen-free long-acting AVA crystals, which will eliminate the need for frequent feeding, with the exception of nitrogen.

Schlumberger is an unpretentious and durable plant that easily propagates and blooms in the darkest season, which is especially attractive.