Unlock vibrant Christmas cactus blooms with late-summer care tips

Although Christmas cactus is mainly associated with winter scenery, it requires tender care all year round. The months preceding its blooming—August and September—are especially important. Then, the plant gathers the strength and nutrients necessary to produce lush flowers during the holiday season.

Proper fertilisation during this time can significantly affect the intensity and duration of the Christmas cactus' blooming. Contrary to appearances, this unassuming plant has specific requirements, and fulfilling them will result in a true explosion of colours in winter. Find out how to take care of Christmas cactus in the summer so that it becomes a true home decoration in winter.

Late summer is the ideal time to start intensive feeding of Christmas cactus. In August and September, you can reduce watering by providing the plant with the proper nutrients. A proven method is to use tomato fertiliser, which is rich in components that stimulate blooming. However, remember to use it sparingly—no more than once a week.

Natural fertilisation methods are also worth considering. An excellent solution is homemade banana peel fertiliser, which provides the plant with valuable nitrogen and potassium. Preparing such a mixture is simple: just soak the peels in warm water, let them sit for a day in a cool, dark place, and then dilute with water in a 1:1 ratio. This natural fertiliser should be used once every three weeks until the plant stops blooming.

It is worthwhile to follow a specific care schedule to provide nudnik with optimal conditions for winter blooming. After intensive fertilisation in August and September, the frequency of watering and fertilisation gradually reduces with the arrival of autumn. This signals the plant that it is time to prepare for blooming.

In winter, when Christmas cactus amazes us with its flowers, reduce care to a minimum, only ensuring moderate watering. After blooming ends, stop fertilisation altogether, giving the plant time to regenerate. Start the care cycle anew in early spring, gently resuming fertilisation to prepare Christmas cactus for another season of lush blooming.