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Christmas cactus makes a wonderful gift and an
attractive decoration for the festival. The plants bloom once in a
year and are in full bloom during the holiday season. They are easy
to grow and care for and can be grown indoors throughout the year.
Although Christmas cactus belongs to the family of cactus, it grows
in conditions that are in contrast to those required for the desert
cacti. With proper care, this beautiful holiday plant can bloom year
after year. Check out for tips to take best care of your Christmas
cactus.
- Christmas cactus requires frequent watering, because it is a
tropical plant. Unlike the desert variations of cactus, this
holiday plant can't withstand drought conditions.
- Christmas cactus plant needs well-drained soil, with the
right mixture of - two parts of regular potting soil with one
part of sand.
- A cool temperature is another pre-requisite for growing
Christmas cactus indoors.
- Keep the plant away from direct sunlight and other heating
sources, such as heaters, furnace ducts, fireplaces, and
radiators.
- Christmas cactus requires 50-60% humidity. Keep a tray or
glass vase filled with water next to the plant, so that when the
water evaporates, the cactus plant gets enough humidity for its
growth.
- Transfer the plant from daylight into a low-light room a few
hours before it gets dark. The long un-interrupted periods of
darkness will encourage it to bloom. You may place it on its
original position again in the morning.
- The plant should be placed in a location that receives
filtered lights, especially when the buds start to appear.
- Trim Christmas cactus after it has started blooming, so that
it branches out freely to form more blooms. The plant will
require regular watering after it has formed blooms.
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Christmas Rose
