How to make your Christmas cactus bloom this holiday season

The Christmas cactus, or zygocactus, is one of those plants that brings a festive touch to our homes. Its vividly coloured flowers often brighten up interiors during winter when other plants are dormant.

Growing a Christmas cactus is not as difficult as it might seem. If provided with proper care, it can adapt well to indoor conditions. The key to success is understanding its needs and avoiding common mistakes that may hinder its flowering.

The first step in growing a Christmas cactus is selecting the right spot. This plant dislikes direct sunlight, which can harm its delicate leaves. An ideal location would be a bright place with diffused light. It’s also vital to maintain the surrounding temperature between 18°C and 21°C. Too high a temperature can hinder its blooming and lead to bud drop.

Humidity is another factor to consider when cultivating a Christmas cactus. The plant flourishes in humid conditions, so investing in a humidifier or regularly misting its leaves can be beneficial. Proper humidity encourages flowering and helps maintain the plant's healthy appearance.

Watering a Christmas cactus is straightforward. This plant doesn’t tolerate overwatering, so the pot’s soil should be moderately moist but not soggy. During flowering, it's best to water the Christmas cactus once a week with a small amount of water; outside this period, you can do so every two weeks. If the leaves of the Christmas cactus become wrinkled, it’s a sign that it needs water.

Although the Christmas cactus is relatively easy to cultivate, it may occasionally not bloom. What might be the reasons?

1. Improper lighting: The Christmas cactus dislikes direct sunlight, which can damage its leaves. It thrives in bright yet diffused light.
2. Ambient temperature: High temperatures above 21°C or sudden temperature changes can impact blooming. Optimal conditions are moderate temperatures around 18°C to 21°C.
3. Overly wet or dry soil: The Christmas cactus requires moderately moist soil. Excessively wet or dried-out soil can cause bud drop.
4. Moving the plant: Relocating the Christmas cactus, especially before it blooms, can result in bud drop. The plant prefers stability and should be shielded from draughts.

What to do to make the Christmas cactus bloom? To encourage blooming, ensure the plant is provided with suitable conditions. Maintain the correct temperature and ensure appropriate soil moisture in the pot. Once you observe flower buds, avoid moving the Christmas cactus, which may cause buds to drop. After buds appear, gently fertilise the plant. A homemade banana fertiliser is excellent for this purpose. The recipe is simple—pour hot water over chopped bananas (including the peel) and leave it for two days. After this period, you can use the mixture to fertilise the Christmas cactus and other potted plants.

Another option is to use black tea. It contains tannins that benefit plants and stimulate flowering. Simply brew the tea, dilute it with water, and water the plant with the solution once a week.