Cacti of the genus Schlumberg was They are one of the most popular at a certain time of year: December, the month that coincides with the Christmas holidays. And it is in those days when they produce very decorative flowers. But do you know how they take care of themselves?
It is not always easy to maintain them. Overwatering, putting them in an inappropriate area, using substrates that do not drain enough ... anything can harm them! But this no more will happen if you follow our advice of its cultivation and maintenance.
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonists are perennial and hanging cacti endemic to tropical America -mainly from Brazil- that belong to the genus Schlumbergera, the best known species being the S. truncata. They are popularly known as Christmas cactus or Santa Teresa. They are characterized by having flattened segments, with jagged margins, of green color. The flowers are very decorative, pink, white, yellow or orange..
They are perfect to grow in a pot throughout their life, as they do not grow more than 40-50cm at most. But let's look at it in more detail.
Their life expectancy is 15 to 20 years.
What are their cares?
If you get a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Location
- Interior- Put it in a room with plenty of natural light and away from drafts, both cold and warm.
- Body exterior:: in semi-shadow. If it is exposed to the sun directly it "burns".
Earth
- Flower pot: universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
- Garden: the soil must be fertile, with good drainage.
Irrigation
The frequency of irrigation is somewhat higher than the one needed by the cacti that we are used to seeing. Being a rainforest plant, It needs you to water it 2 or 3 times a week in summer, even 4 if it is very hot and the environment is very dry, and every 5-7 days the rest of the year. Of course, in case you have a plate underneath, remove the excess water ten minutes after having watered it since otherwise the roots would rot.
Do not wet the aerial part (segments), unless it is outside and it is spring or summer. To increase the humidity it is much better to put glasses with water around it, for example. In this article you have more information about it.
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Throughout the year it is important to fertilize the Schlumbergera with specific fertilizers for cacti or with blue nitrofoska, following the indications specified on the product packaging. These fertilizers can be liquid or granular, never powder unless the plant is in the garden.
Pruning
You don't need it. Only the segments that are dry, diseased or weak, and the withered flowers should be removed.
Multiplication
Seeds
It multiplies by seeds in spring or summer, following this step by step:
- The first thing to do is fill a pot of about 10,5 cm in diameter with universal growing substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts.
- Then, it is watered conscientiously and the seeds are placed on the surface ensuring that they are a little separated from each other.
- They are then covered with a very thin layer of substrate.
- Finally, the pot is placed outside, in semi-shade.
This way they will germinate in 2-3 weeks.
Cuttings
It is multiplied by cuttings in spring. The way to proceed is as follows:
- The first thing to do is cut some segments.
- Afterwards, you have to let them dry for 5-6 days in a dry, cool (but not cold) area, and protected from direct sun.
- After that time, they are planted in a pot with vermiculite or universal growing substrate mixed with perlite.
- Finally, water and place the pot in semi-shade.
Thus, it will emit its own roots after 2-3 weeks. In any case, if you want to have a greater probability of success, you can impregnate the base of the cutting with homemade rooting agents or with liquid rooting hormones (you can get them here).
Pests
It can be attacked by mealybugs, either cottony or limpet-type. They can be removed by hand or with an anti-mealybug insecticide.
You also have to be careful with snails. Here you have tips to repel them.
Christmas cactus diseases
If it is watered in excess it can have fungi, which are fought with fungicide.
Planting or transplanting time
In spring. If they are in pots they must be transplant every 2-3 years.
Rusticity
Schlumbergera cannot stand cold or frost. Its ideal temperature is between 10 and 35ºC. For this reason, it can only be grown outdoors all year round if the climate is warm-tropical. If you live in a cooler area, you can enjoy them in the garden or patio during spring and summer, and then indoors in autumn and winter.
What did you think of the Schlumbergera? Do you have or have you had any copies? Are you planning to get one? Tell us 🙂.
I have a little one and now in winter some leaves are falling off and it has turned half brown. Hasn't flowered in over two months or so
Hi Norma.
You may be getting cold and / or getting too much water. In the first case, you have to protect it, either indoors or in another area where it is so exposed; in the second I recommend you space the waterings and treat with fungicide.
As for the flowers, it is normal. It only blooms a few weeks a year 🙂
Regards!
I have 2 plants, I have them inside my house they have grown a lot since I bought them, I have them behind a window facing west, they get the sun after noon, one is hot pink and the other is red. It bloomed last spring.
Hi Margie or Hello Margarite.
They are very grateful plants, without a doubt.
Why are the leaves falling?
Hello Maria.
It can be due to any of these causes:
-lack of irrigation
-excess irrigation
-that when watering the plant gets wet
-pests, such as mealybugs
In general, it should be watered when the soil is dry, since this prevents it from being lost. In addition, it is important that, if you have it in a pot, it has holes in its base, and that you avoid putting a plate under it (unless you drain it after watering).
A greeting.
How to avoid being attacked by snails?
Hello Judith.
The fastest and most effective is with a anti-snail product. If you have domestic animals (dogs, cats), you have to look for one that clearly indicates that it is not dangerous for them, since most of them are.
Another option is to put the plant indoors during the rainy season, or protect it with a mosquito net.
Greetings.
I have it but it grows very little
Hello Antonio.
It doesn't grow much plant for a year. However, I would advise you to plant it in a larger pot if you have never done it before.
A greeting.