Christmas Cactus Blooming Tips

General Care

• From late autumn to early summer, Christmas cactus prefers a warm location with consistently moist soil, similar to prototypical rain forest conditions. According to "The Encyclopedia of Cactus," a farmhouse kitchen is an ideal place for general maintenance of a Christmas cactus. During spring and summer, switch to a pre-blooming regimen.

Preblooming Regimen

• After the flowering period, which ends in February or March, fertilize the plant twice a month with a high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen fertilizer. Starting in late summer, reduce waterings as much as possible without stressing the plant. In late summer, move the plant to a cool location. Nighttime temperatures should dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably getting down into the 50s. These conditions help new growth mature, enabling bud formation.

Timing the Preblooming Regimen

• Buds typically appear about three weeks after beginning pre-blooming treatment, and buds open about three months after that. Therefore, begin pre-blooming treatment about four months before you wish to have the flowers. For example, institute dry, cool conditions at the end of August for Christmas blossoms.

Budding Period

• Once buds have formed, pre-blooming treatment is unnecessary and can be discontinued. This allows the plants to prepare for blooming. To avoid stressing the plant, phase the pre-blooming regimen out slowly. Once buds appear, increase watering sparingly, gradually returning to normal. You can also restore the plant to its usual warm environment. Do not fertilize during the budding period.

Other Considerations

• Grow Christmas cactus in a light potting mix with plenty of humus and some peat to emulate its natural growing conditions. Containers that allow the plant to droop and trail give the best results, such as in hanging baskets. The plants are sensitive to alkaline soil, and they readily root from cuttings.