Home»Cactus - Succulents»Christmas Cactus
take together two words that seem to contradict , theChristmas cactus(Schlumbergeraxbuckleyi ) earned its name from the prison term of year it be given to bloom .
The similarly list Easter cactus and Thanksgiving cactus are one of the three - holiday cactus .
Photo Credit: Instagram @doonblooms
Of course , the three plants wait very exchangeable , and often the even , rounded tooth , drooping bloom , and pinkish pollen are the only proof you have an actual Christmas cactus .
But you might be surprised to see that this cactus can be grow outdoors , where the blooms can lighten up an otherwise inactive winter garden .
How Do You Care for Christmas Cactus Outdoors?
Growing a cactus outdoors study the right hardiness zone and some special tending .
However , once these needs are met , care for Christmas cactus plants outdoors can be promiscuous .
Temperature and Zone
By far , the most important element in growing a Christmas cactus outdoors is ensuring it does n’t get too cold for the works .
USDA hardiness zones 9a , and tender temperature are good for out-of-door planting , although you may fetch a potted plant outdoors when the temperature is above 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
You will want to bring home the bacon some human body of shelter for your out-of-door plant if the temperature hit 40 ° degrees Fahrenheit , as it ’s easily damage by frost .
endeavor to avoid a drafty spot , as Christmas cacti can suffer bud fall in sudden temperature changes .
NOTE : heyday bud come out forming when nighttime temperature are around 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit . They commonly blossom from November through January .
Sunlight
expect for a garden position with aristocratical morning sunlight or mottled afternoon visible radiation . lineal sun can bleach the leaves out .
Indirect light or partial shadiness in the other afternoon is suitable in areas where the twelve noon temperature is above 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
If you establish the cactus in the mottled specter of a deciduous plant , it will apprize the full winter sun and summer shade with high humidity .
These works will also flower more in cooler temperatures , with at least 13 to 16 hours of total darkness during the changing seasons .
Soil and Watering
Cacti are a case of succulents mostly adapted for arid environments but share their tropical first cousin ’ ability to store water .
In the instance of a Christmas cactus , this water is store in the stem , and too much water can cause the stems to swell and discolor .
More significantly , it can quickly develop various frame of rot when give away to too much water , so it ’s substantive to ascertain the territory is well - draining .
If container - grown , opt pots with adequate drainage holes .
Before planting , you may care to tot gravel to provide a fender zona in slip of heavy rain .
Related : Soil Requirements of Christmas Cactus
This gives water somewhere to go until it can drain into the water table .
Avoid heavy or clay soil , as these lean to retain too much water .
Instead , loamy , sandy soil is idealistic , and you may wish to pot filth in some perlite and orchid or pine bark to better drainage further .
As this industrial plant loves fertile soil , you may wish to add up a little compost to the soil each spring to help promote growth .
Water when the soil has become teetotal to the touch , but try out not to countenance the soil dry out whole .
stave off watering during the wintertime to reduce the risk of frost damage and give the plant a moment of down time .
You should also seek to give it a little shelter when big storm elapse through to prevent flooding .
When repotting , do it in later spring .
Fertilizer
For fertiliser software , feed your Christmas Cactus with a balanced swimming fertiliser with a nutrient proportion such as 10 - 10 - 10 NPK during the rise season , from April to October .
Maintenance
This is a relatively low - sustentation plant , but you may wish well to clip away the stem in leaping , removing 2 to 3 segment .
This not only help work and size the plant , but it will also allow it to grow back fuller and advance new growth .
You may choose to add an insulating stratum of bark mulch over the roots in the fall .
However , assure to avoid fond air from heat vent or nerveless drafts , as it can ensue in flower bud drops .
Pests and Diseases
Indoor plant tend to be far more sheltered from vulgar plague and diseases , so it can be easy to draw a blank these endangerment when planting out of doors .
Root putrefaction is the master disease , but fusarium , genus Phytophthora , and pythium are three fungal infection the plant life is susceptible to .
Fungus gnat lean to be the most common pest indoors , but aphids , wanderer mites , and mealy bug may be a bigger trouble outside .
These job are well avoided by right lachrymation and a neem petroleum soaking or insecticidal soap every 2 to 3 week .
you may also utilize a cotton plant swab dipped in scratch alcohol to wipe these insects .
Final Notes
Growing these houseplant alfresco can be very rewarding , but you have less dominance over the outside plant ’s surround , so it ’s proficient to plan when preparing to plant a Christmas cactus out in the garden .
They make great additions to desert - theme and rock garden but may be best save in a hang basket if you ’re in an area where the weather tends to be showery or prostrate to quick , significant changes in temperature .
