Christmas cactus seem like something out of a fantasy fib . The small , green offset segments delay turtle - commons all summer , but just before the holidays they burst into an astonishing display of brilliant efflorescence that can last for months . you may take steps to aid your Christmas cactus bloom , but not every piece of music of advice you get wind will prove useful . * * For example , if you ’ve heard that giving a Christmas cactus castor rock oil is a good theme , you ’ll require to separate fact from fiction . * * Below , some information about this gorgeous flora … or just skip to the bottom for the " castor crude oil tip . "
The “Cactus”
It ’s a moment of thaumaturgy straight out of Hogwarts . The so - called Christmas cactus ( genus Schlumbergera bridesiiorSchlumbergera truncata ) appear like a succulent with many green , segment branches when you purchase it . Then , as the Christmas holiday season arrives , it bursts into pink , cherry , orange , or yellow flush . This awe-inspiring show has spark all sort of amateur hypothesis on the rationality behind the seasonal efflorescence and " tips " for making certain your cactus flowers .
The truth is quite dissimilar from the myth . * * The Christmas cactus is n’t a cactus at all , nor does it share the growth requirements of a desert succulent . * * In fact , the plant is an epiphyte hailing from the shady , wet forests of southeastern Brazil . Like all epiphytes , these plants do not sink solution into the solid ground , but dwell in tree diagram branch genitalia where dead leave mix it up with moss .
Unlike desert plants , Christmas cactus does n’t wish to dry out out , nor does it do well with direct Lord’s Day . * * The plant needs an always - moist potting grime rich in organic stuff , with increased irrigation when this " cactus " flowers . * * As an epiphyte , a Christmas cactus does undecomposed when it is pot - bound , soleave it in a small container as long as you possibly can . Full sun will sting the sick dark-green branches , sothink indirect light .
The Method Behind the Magic
So why does this epiphytic plant blaze out into flush as the holiday coming ? It has nothing whatsoever to do with Santa Claus . * * The only reason Christmas cactus bloom in late November is because , in the wild , the plant life flower when the weather is cool and the day are short . * * * * Before the cactus is put on the market , the breeders replicate these conditions for 40 days . * * They keep the plant cool ( under 60 academic degree F ) and give it full darkness for some 16 hours a twenty-four hour period , switch with eight time of day of light .
- You ’ll have to replicate this in subsequent years to make your plant duplicate the performance . * * site the Christmas cactus in a cool room in September and keep in in the out-and-out darkness for 16 hours a day . The plant should not get air draught , either cold or live . Keep your centre out for the show of tiny flower buds about four weeks after you lead off the regimen . At this degree , you could lay off the dark / light operation and move the plant to a spot where you could enjoy its flush .
The Castor Oil “Tip”
If your cactus flower well the first year but never repeat the show , you may have turned to the internet to find solutions . One " point " making the rounds instructs you to add a few tablespoons of castor oil to the plant ’s pot in October to activate a holiday bloom .
- While a little beaver oil applied in October may not stamp out the works , it is unlikely to trip a bloom either . * * * * The blossom depends on light and temperature , not fertilizer . While castor oil and castor repast are rich in N , it is unclear that epiphytes benefit from or expect atomic number 7 to grow . * * Even if nitrogen fertilizer does aid the Christmas cactus , the time for fertiliser is spring and summer , not fall . And any balanced plant food will do just as well if not better .
