So many Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) owners are frustrated during the holidays when there isn’t a bloom in sight on their plants. What they don’t know is that they should have been setting the stage for those blossoms back in the summer. August to be exact. If you want blooms for the holidays, there are a few quick things you need to do this month.
What’s Happening to Your Plant This Month
By the time August rolls around, your plant begins setting the stage to shift from its active growing cycle into prepping for bud set later in the fall. All summer long, it’s been pumping every bit of energy into growing bigger by putting out new cladodes (leaf segments).
But as the month draws to a close, Christmas cactus will stop putting out new growth. They will start conserving energy to make buds. And as the days begin to shorten noticeably, now is the time to start prepping for the big holiday display to come.
Do This at the Beginning of August
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If you haven’t already, put your Christmas cactus outside. Those of us in the know have had our Christmas cactus outdoors, tucked away out of direct sunlight, all summer. (Doing this each year is the absolute best way to ensure your plant is absolutely smothered in blossoms for the holidays. Read why here.)
