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How to Care for Christmas Cactus

How to Care for Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cacti in Bud and Flower
Close up of Christmas Cacti Flower Buds
Open red flower and lots of buds on a Christmas Cactus
Temperature 
  • Christmas cacti like an average temperature of between 15 degrees and 18 degrees celsius and don’t like sudden temperature changes. 
  • If buds and flowers fall off the temperature has changed too rapidly or the plant has been overwatered. 
 
 Watering 
  • Christmas cacti need more water than a normal cactus. 
  • Once the compost has dried out they should be watered with tepid water. 
  • Lift the plant and see if it feels heavy. If the pot feels heavy the compost is holding water so leave the watering for another day. 
  • Shriveled stems are caused by the roots being damaged by under watering  or over watering. 
 
Maintenance 
  • Remove all spent flowers as needed. Hold the stem and twist off the dead flower, taking care not to knock off the unopened flower buds that are beside it.   
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