Caring for a cactus that blooms during one of the Fall, Winter or Spring holidays is easy. Use cactus soil or any soil that is well drained. The pot should have drainage holes as well. Give your cactus water about every 2 weeks when the soil is dry about 1-2 inches down. Be sure to water your cactus while it’s in flower to prevent the blooms from dropping.
An east-facing window is best as it will provide bright, indirect light. A regular houseplant plant food given every 2 weeks during the spring and summer can help keep your plant healthy. Decrease the fertilizer to once a month during the fall and winter.
So how do you get your cactus to bloom? It’s easy to get those lovely succulents with pink or red (or sometimes white or yellow) delicate trumpet-shaped flowers ready to bloom in time for the winter holidays. For the 2 other varieties of this cactus that bloom for Thanksgiving and Easter, follow the same instructions.
Your cactus will need long hours (about 14) of cool temperatures and dark for about 6 weeks in order to set buds. This is easier to accomplish in the Fall for plants that will bloom in November or December. If you have a Spring blooming cactus, you might need to cover your plant to decrease the nighttime light.
To get even more blooms, cut the branches by a few segments. New branched leaves will grow from the cut areas. You can root the cut segments to grow new cacti.
Fun Fact: Although called a cactus, this plant grows in tropical rain forests.
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