Make Your Christmas Cactus Bloom Right on Time for the Holidays with a Simple Kitchen Ingredient. Few indoor plants can encapsulate the festival more than the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) as holidays wrap around. With its graceful cascading branches and bright flowers that pop on the most depressing of winter days, the tropical plant has become a seasonal favorite. The Christmas cactus is native to Brazil’s lush rainforests, flowering naturally by the middle of December or through mid-January, making it a good fit for the seasonal event. But one ingredient from your kitchen can help it bloom right on time for Christmas Eve. The Christmas Cactus: A Jewel for the Household at Christmas. Distinct from desert cacti, that flourish in arid, drought-affected days, Christmas cactus comes from humid, shady forests growing on trees and rocks, sucking out moisture from the air. This particular background provides a different look and description for its unique needs — and the lush, elegant appearance. Its flatter, jointed stems lend it a draping effect, while at the tips you’ll find dazzling flowers of red, pink, white or orange. Each of these blossoms look like a delicate bell, bringing a warm, jolly touch to your home. If cared for correctly, a single Christmas cactus can survive for decades as it tends to be handed down, often with a familial significance, from one generation to the next. To appreciate this stunning spectacle just as it’s supposed to, you’ll need to know what triggers its flowering — and how to deliver a bit of a natural kick. Key Maintenance Ideas for A Perfect Holiday Bloom. To inspire your Christmas cactus to blossom just in time to celebrate the upcoming December 25th, begin by re-creating the perfect setting for the plant:
Light: Put your plant in a bright spot, but protect it from direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Ideal way to see your sun, north or east window. Water: Soil should be balanced — enough to keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy. The usual times of every week in autumn and winter is approximately once. Temperature: Keep room temperature at a reasonable level, around 20°C (68°F). Do not allow sharp drafts or drops in temperature that cause buds to fall off, as sudden draughts or drops in temperature can make buds fall off. Humidity: The Christmas cactus is also slightly humid, as with its rainforest roots. Light misting or a tray of pebbles and water beneath the pot are good ways to keep the air moist. Rest Period: About six weeks before the holidays, reduce watering slightly and have the plant rest in a cooler room (about 15°C). This recovery period fosters plant bud development. When buds are starting to show up, start watering again and put the plant back in its usual warm, bright location. The Miracle ingredient for blooms bursting with life. Enter: Store-bought fertilizers with potassium enrichment can help you to bloom more. But you can get it just as magic and bloom the same way with natural ingredients in your kitchen. These homemade replacements lightly cultivate your Christmas cactus without additives, allowing it to grow luxuriously and flower early on its own without getting high-pressure on any materials. Here are the best kitchen-based choices:
