The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii ) is one of the most popularholiday plantsdue to its extensive range of colors , ease of increase , and long - lasting blooms . These plants can last ten days or longer with right care and maintenance . So it pays to get word more about their emergence drug abuse , watering needs , and general care requirements to ensure they stay healthy and beautiful .

If you ’re having trouble with your Christmas cactus , keep reading to find out about common problems faced by your beloved cacti . You ’ll also read solutions to help keep your plant healthy and glad this vacation season !

5 Problems Faced By Your Christmas Cactus

Put down those holly branch and cull up a shimmering putting green – aka the consummate vacation accessory - the Christmas cactus ! This plant is used as a colorful additions toholiday wreathsand especially centerpieces . They ’re a popular endowment during the holiday season and can often be seen with their twin , the Thanksgiving cactus . These holiday plants are low-down - maintenance , but are challenging to grow in the home surroundings .

Here are five vernacular problem that may pass if you do n’t take unspoiled care of your Christmas cacti .

1) Christmas Cactus Dropping Leaves/ Stems

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If your flora ’s leaf or stems are drop or look mushy , it may be due to too much water . Christmas cacti prefer grunge that is moist but not mucky . If you ’re watering them doubly a week , essay watering once a week and see if the job persists .

If you ask to figure out how often to irrigate them , you could always check the soil . leave the land to dry out out before give your works another healthy drink will help to annul overwatering . But , when Christmas cactus are in bloom they do require more frequent douses of water .

Harvesting sage from the herb garden

Although , it ’s good to mention the Christmas cactus is capable of ego - pruning . Sometimes if the plant is too tumid and unable to support the system of weights of its branches it will send away them . This is a innate appendage and uncomplicated to furbish up ; You canrepotit into a slimly larger container , so it has room to rise and thrive .

Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit will also have the blooms to knock off , but more on that later .

2) Christmas Cactus Won’t Bloom

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Another problem withChristmas cacti is that sometimes they wo n’t bloom . There are a few reasons why this may happen ; it could be due to temperature change , potting consequence , and light .

Light

If your Christmas cactus is sitting in vivid day , it wo n’t bloom . Christmas cacti are short - day industrial plant that require 16 hour of shadow and eight hours of light each twenty-four hour period . This dark period is what aids the plant in bloom . If you discover a want of blooms , move it inwardly to a place with less sunshine exposure , such asthe cellar .

Pot

Something else that can make a lack of growing is a stressed industrial plant . Unlike other plants , you do n’t need to re - pot your Christmas cacti frequently . They care to be snug , so you must put them in a slightly larger container every 2 to 3 years . It ’s good to do this after the efflorescence season .

Temperatures

If your works is exposed to freeze or high temperature , chance are it wo n’t bloom . Christmas cactus are temperature sensitive , require a specific surroundings to initiate the blooming process .

The daytime temperatures should be around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee successful blooming . If your Christmas cactus is exposed to cooler night temperature , such as 55 point Fahrenheit , it will blossom in 5 to 6 weeks . Anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit , the plant should be brought within to a more controlled space .

keep your Christmas cactus on your window sill in a cool way and not switching on the lightness is all this plant life needs ( it can take a little neglectfulness ) .

Gardening tools in a basket

3) Limp or Wilting Christmas Cactus

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Incorrect lachrymation might induce your Christmas cactus to appear wilted or wilted . If your plant appears weak it ’s because the cactus is thirsty and not catch the wet it needs . But before you pick up that tearing can , you ask to stop and listen .

There are two main reason water neglect to achieve the stem : the soil is too ironical , or the roots are damaged . But how do you figure it out ? Yellowing leave , gentle theme , and wilt foliage are all sign you overwatered your Christmas cactus . If this is the shell , it ’s prison term to get to work .

Hosta edging along the garden border

Check to see if the dirt is ironic by using your fingers or a soil moisture meter ; if it is juiceless a third of the fashion down , water the plant ofttimes in small increment . This will help your flora come back to liveliness without the risk of exposure of overwatering it .

If the soil is moist to the touch , your Christmas cactus may be experiencing standing water , or worse , root word putrefaction . This trouble can be make byoverwatering , so ensure your plant does n’t sit in excess water and countenance its soil to dry out between watering .   If your works is withering , re - pot it using fresh soil and get rid of damage radical .

If you have posit the lacrimation subject , but your Christmas cactus still look weak , limp , or shriveled , it could be due to overweening sunshine exposure . Move your Christmas cactus away from lineal sunlight , and find out it fare back to life .

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4) Christmas Cactus Leaves Turning Red or Pink

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Most of the meter , when Christmas cactus leaves turn red or yellow , it is because they are getting too much sun . Christmas cacti are tropic , requiring moist heating system , not the dry oestrus that unremarkably comes through your window .

The solution is to prune back on the direct sun you give to your works and provide it with more filtered light by moving it aside from a window . Christmas cactus choose high humidity levels .

Flowering Christmas cactus. Bright pink flowers. Young plant.

5) Christmas Cactus Dropping Flower Buds

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If your Christmas plant bud are dropping , it ’s an alarming situation . The condition secern you that your dear cactus is dealing with a stressful condition .

bloom drop off Christmas cacti for various reasons , such as sudden change in temperature ( if you have turn up the heat ) , continuance of light ( more than ten hours during the blossom time of year ) , too many bud , or varying levels of moisture in the stain ( too ironical or too wet ) . This is where your training comes into gambling ! If you care and sustain your Christmas cactus using the tips above , everything will go swimmingly !

Christmas cactus without flowers

To prevent your flower buds from dropping , verify that you follow a proper watering schedule . Water the plant when the top 1/3 of the soil feel dry , usually after 2 to 3 weeks .

Overwatering your plant can cause return - too much of a good thing can quickly grow regretful . And , avoid incite your plant around when it is showing signs of blooming while attempt to maintain a restrained temperature of around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit .

Your Christmas Cactus May Be Screaming for Help

If your Christmas cactus leaves are wilting or the buds are falling off , these might be extreme vociferation for helper . But thankfully , you have us . you’re able to follow the steps mentioned above forprimary care .

Since Thanksgiving cactus come from the same family , you may require to read this web log onhow to care for them as well .

If you have any other interrogation about like for your Christmas cactus , finger free to comment below . partake in this clause with your admirer and phratry if you ’ll be gifting one of these gorgeous plants this twelvemonth . Happy horticulture !

spraying christmas cactus

Very wonderful Christmas cactus zygocactus with pink blooms in front of blue lightning lantern and little lights around

Fuchsia flowered Christmas cactus bloomed on a window sill.