How to Flower Cactus Plants

Flowering cacti range from the inconspicuous white and yellow flowers of the powderpuff cactus to the large white blooms of the giant saguaro. Among the thousands of species of cacti, Christmas cactus and orchid cactus are perhaps the easiest to force into bloom, according to Clemson University. While most cacti will not bloom if the soil is too wet or the humidity is too high, these members of the rain forest family of cacti actually need a little more moisture and humidity to flower well.

Bowl of water (if cactus is near heat register)
All-purpose plant fertilizer
Sharp scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Keep the cactus in bright, indirect light, because direct, constant sunlight will scorch the plant. A sunny window with a sheer curtain is ideal.
- 2
  Maintain temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 65 degrees at night, and keep humidity between 50 to 60 percent. If the plant is near a warm air register, place a bowl of water in front of the register to keep moisture in the air in winter.
- 3
  Allow the soil in the pot to dry out between waterings. If you notice the segments of the cactus wrinkling, you're not watering often enough. Conversely, a waterlogged cactus will not only fail to flower -- it will die.
- 4
  Fertilize cactus once a month with a pinch of water-soluble, all-purpose plant fertilizer between April and October to encourage growth after the first flowering period.
- 5
  Prune flowering cactus in April after its first flowering. Pinch off two segments with your fingers or cut them with a pair of sharp scissors. Doing this encourages branching, and starts the cycle of buds and flowers on each resulting branch.

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