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Schlumbergera bridgesii
Both the daylight period and temperature affect flowering. Buds will appear when the night-time temperature goes to 60 degrees F and the daylight is less than 12 hours. Buds will drop if the temperatures get too high. Sometimes there will be more buds if the plant is kept dry from October to early November. This is a succulent so watering should be on the dry side. The soil should have good proportions of sand. Clay pots are ideal, though many are sold in plastic. Holiday cacti grow to extreme old age. Many people tell stories of having their great aunt's cactus cuttings. Fertilize weekly with a soluble fertilizer during the growing season, but when there are flower buds, stop.
Some questions from Emily's mailbox:
Q: I have a question
about my Christmas cactus. I have had the plant for over a year and my
mother in law had the plant for a while before me. It always flowered for
her, and It hasn't
A: The soil must be kept moist during the growing season, but somewhat dry when the plant is resting. Full sunlight and and average room temperatures are recommended. Short days are required to induce blooming. On September 1, the plant should have total darkness from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am until buds form. Or, if the plant is in a cool room (I have read 53 degrees or also I have read below 68 degrees but above 42 degrees) from mid-September to mid-October, flowers will be produced regardless of the day length.
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This cactus is not to be confused with the Thanksgiving cactus (S.
truncata). They are close relatives. and both have many hybrids. These both will flower within weeks
of each other.
flowered
once while I've had it. What am I doing wrong?