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Christmas
cacti can be grown indoors throughout the year and are relatively
easy to care for, but if you haven’t already prepared your plant to
bloom this season, you may have to wait. (But never fear, they tend
to flower several times throughout the year). The professionals coax
their cactus to bloom by keeping them in greenhouses where the
temperatures average a cool 50 degrees, and they keep them in the
dark between 12 and 14 hours each day. You can take a similar course
of action to force the blooms. Water sparingly; most problems stem
from over watering. Once buds form, keep the plant in normal light
and temperatures, fertilize every other week, and keep evenly moist. |
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After the holiday season, give your Christmas cactus a rest—30 days
should do. Place it in a cool room and limit waterings. Do not prune
the cactus at this time; wait until new growth begins in the spring.
Don’t be alarmed if it appears weak or loses a few leaves while
resting. Repot your cactus in February, March or April—but don’t do
it any “favors” by putting it in a large pot. Christmas cacti flower
best when kept in smaller containers. Given the proper care and
placement in the right location, your Christmas cactus will reward
you with colorful blooms throughout the year.
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