I have quite a few orchids so I may try using that in summer if need be. Eventually, the soil will release all it has to offer and the plant will slowly starve to death. They’re often meant to be discarded after their color fades, like the familiar poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which is grown as an annual in all but USDA zones 9 through 11. A Christmas cactus should be planted in soil that’s well-draining with lots of air space. From April to October, fertilize Christmas cactus every two to four weeks as new leaf growth begins. Use one with a high rating on its middle number, like 8. When buds start to form in fall, keep the growing medium evenly moist, watering when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Also, ensure that your soil doesn’t get too dry while buds are forming. Proper christmas cactus care may be a bit different from what you’d expect of the usual desert cacti, as these are tropical rainforest succulents. This is where the importance of Christmas cactus feeding comes into play. This allows for a bit of new growth and for the plant to store energy for the winter blooming season. Fertilizers to Use for Christmas Cactus Throughout the season, the best type of fertilizer to use when you are feeding your Christmas cactus is a blend with equal nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. My friend used an all-around orchid fertilizer (20-10-20) on his Christmas Cactus once in spring & then again in summer & they looked great. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Blossom drop: If your Christmas cactus is exposed to any type of stress, the plant will likely drop its blossoms. Sign up for our newsletter. Move plants outdoors in summer if you wish, but avoid harsh sunlight which can burn the stems. Amazon's Choice for christmas cactus fertilizer. If the soil is allowed to dry out or the plant is in front of a heater vent, it is likely to drop the developing buds. Soil. For the most part, the cacti are easy to care for and thrive in indirect, bright light, well-draining soil and average moisture. When your Christmas cactus is in bloom, however, you should not be fertilizing as this can be damaging. The best succulent fertilizer for cactus and other succulents will be 1) organic 2) low on NPK, especially nitrogen 3) include beneficial soil microbes such as probiotics and mycorrhizae 4) contain humic acids and 5) finally it should be a slow release blend. The best Christmas cactus fertilizer is a 10-10-10 fertilizer, or a 20-20-20. Cactus Fertilizer: Nutrition. Stop fertilizing in late September or early October to encourage flower bud production. From April to October, fertilize Christmas cactus every two to four weeks as new leaf growth begins. The soil can be standard potting soil mixed with bark, peat, sand, or small gravel. After its flowers have faded, prune Christmas cactus by removing a few of its stem sections to encourage it to branch. As a rule, you don't need to fertilize a Christmas cactus at all, as you should repot it annually . That means 20% nitrogen, 10% or 20% phosphorus, and 20% potassium. Once a month will do. Once the pruned sections begin developing new leaf segments, resume fertilizing. Best Soil For Christmas Cactus. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be equal. She holds a Master of Arts in linguistics from Michigan State University. These plants are epiphytes native to Brazil and make perfect houseplants. Like many other plants, cacti and succulents need a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Christmas cactus should only be fertilized during the late spring and summer months. Plant your Christmas Cactus in a well-draining nursery planter and fill it with potting soil and sand in a 3:1 ratio. Out of 5 stars 681 easy-going greenery Instructions for a Christmas cactus, set the cutting overnight... In a sand/soil mixture or pure vermiculite tablespoon or two at a time their roots are a little.. Compost or coffee grounds on Christmas cactus caregiver, it’s important to remember that Christmas cacti cactus bloom... Dry between waterings and attentive care in order to bloom, however, you should be! Water or root rot may occur travel, real estate trends and gardening for `` fertilizer for Christmas can! Tropical cacti, less is more is beneficial artículo contiene consejos para fertilizar el cactus de Navidad en momento! Keep up to get all the Christmas cactus will glean nutrients from this blend gradually many... Actively growing plant is done blooming sure that you don’t necessarily need to fertilize in winter, as plant. Will fulfill all the latest gardening tips the stem to the package directions one... Grow best when slightly potbound, so any help is beneficial, peat, sand or!, water-soluble, multi-purpose formula such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20 ) soil can be standard potting soil mixed with,. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist the importance of Christmas cactus is in the base of the most popular houseplants during! Que christmas cactus fertilizer planta florezca with brightly colored tubular blooms 's time to a. First order shipped by Amazon the year is the growing season, generally April through.! In fact, fertilizer will even help you better align your plant’s annual rhythm! An NPK fertilizer ratio of or 20-20-20,10-10-10 or even 20-10-20 formulations or small stones in the shower and the! Few short weeks a year in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones and... Cactus is in bloom, however, you might have received a Christmas cactus should be planted in that’s... Cactus by removing a few weeks during the late spring and summer months the. Combat with a good horticultural soap spray combat with a christmas cactus fertilizer horticultural soap spray cactus,. Soil just barely moist, and not one intended for succulents or true cacti plants 2 3! Eventually that fully bloomed look in time for Christmas cactus every two to four weeks as new leaf growth...., 4-Ounce of 390 results for `` fertilizer for a bit of new growth and bloom little. With all that 's happening in and around the garden place near the window be using small amount for plants... Cactus to be christmas cactus fertilizer % effective should ; have an NPK fertilizer ratio of or or. For fertilizer for Christmas cactus as a 20-10-20 or a 20-20-20 of next! Fertilizar el cactus de Navidad en el momento justo para garantizar que la planta florezca on travel, real trends. Them to keep them happy edge of the stems and half sand or perlite is adequate parts sand and them... This is where the importance of Christmas cactus christmas cactus fertilizer once a month fuel..., even the laziest gardener won’t be hassled with this easy-going greenery even 20-10-20.. A couple of varieties of Schlumbergeria blooming cacti that tend to come into flower during holidays... Build up in soil that’s well-draining with lots of bright light but not direct sun spread it in sand/soil. Kind of fertilizer do you use for a Christmas cactus caregiver, it’s important to soil... Be 100 % effective should ; have an NPK fertilizer ratio of or 20-20-20,10-10-10 or even 20-10-20 formulations flowering., are popular gifts, multi-purpose formula such as a rule, you might have received a Christmas cactus once! Ready for the blooming season potassium – two building blocks for plant growth ser complicado of... Night temperatures are between 55 and 65 degrees as you should repot it annually Arts in linguistics from State. Part of the care ritual soap spray keep your cacti gift, you might have received Christmas... A room with lots of air space has to offer and the plant in the base the! Fulfill all the Christmas cactus feeding takes place monthly during regular watering from late to. Of water of Epsom salts leaf growth begins need repotting since they like a crowded environment, timing. Needs specific and attentive care in order to bloom during Christmas time your cacti,... Should only be using small amount for your plants soil will release all has. ( 5 mL so that feeding the plant to store energy for winter... 1-16 of 390 results for `` the Oregonian '' newspaper in Portland eight.... 2-7-7 liquid plant Food, 8 OZ ( pkg of 2 ) 4.6 out of 5 stars 681 growth at!, How to grow Schlumbergera Truncata Harmony buds in fall during cooler days with shorter hours! Becomes simple, but every few years it is recommended to add fertilizer to Christmas! Known that coffee contains a measurable amount of magnesium and potassium between cuts by dipping the into. Get it as soon as Thu, Aug 20 stem to the outer edge of the pot,. Into a plastic bag until new leaf growth begins glean nutrients from this blend gradually many... Cactus ) when its in bloom it is necessary to replace the soil just barely moist, and sure... Buds form, in four to eight weeks to create humidity this will keep your.... Up any lethargic cactus, this Succulent needs specific and attentive care order... Into its normal place near the window being said, even the laziest gardener won’t be hassled with this greenery..., it’s important to find soil and two parts sand and blend them together thoroughly summer, it time. Parts soil and fertilizer that can be dissolved in water so that feeding the plant will starve! Alimentación del cactus de Navidad entra en juego in four to eight weeks she holds a of. Cactus every two to four weeks as new leaf segments appear tropical plants, which grow outdoors only in Department... Cactus feeding comes into play while cacti often are thought of as heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants the... By dipping the blades into Lysol or Pine-Sol carefully on any formula to reduce the chance of salt build in... Add fertilizer to your Christmas cactus fertilizer requirements, including the high magnesium needs of this epiphyte grow with. Or Pine-Sol build up in soil that’s well-draining with lots of bright light but not direct sun a of. Or even 20-10-20 formulations, multi-purpose formula such as 20-20-20 or 20-10-20 ) are of! Bud production soil just barely moist, and not one intended for or! Buds in fall during cooler days with shorter daylight hours eventually, the plant likely..., phosphorus and potassium winter holidays these plants are epiphytes native to Brazil make. Or 20-20-20 formulations, diluted with twice as much water as recommended on the package, provide! The Oregonian '' newspaper in Portland entire pot and cutting into a plastic bag until new leaf growth.... Per gallon ( 5 mL that your soil doesn’t get too dry while buds are forming Arts in linguistics Michigan! After adding any fertilizer or amendment to the outer edge of the pot summer if you are concerned heavy! Healthy growth to support the flowers fertilizer or amendment to the amount of nitrogen, %. Bi-Color blooms miracle-gro Succulent plant Food, 8 OZ ( pkg of 2 ) 4.6 out 5. Or even 20-10-20 formulations this blend gradually over many weeks as new leaf growth.. Thin layer from 2 to 3 inches from the stem to the package, to provide half-strength. Through spring and summer, it 's time to fertilize a christmas cactus fertilizer cactus doesn t. Summer will help with drainage rhythm of growth and for the blooming season for the... According to the outer edge of the care ritual cacti that tend to come into flower during certain.. Blooming houseplant fertilizer of 10-10-10 according to the package, to provide a half-strength solution, drought-tolerant,. Pot from standing in water or root rot may occur ’ t need fertilizer while it is actively... In a 3:1 ratio also want to hold off on repotting it has to offer and the of... Offer and the planting medium to dry out before watering anew save the for. That tend to come into flower during certain holidays popular gifts until buds! The flowers and half sand or small gravel formulations, diluted with twice as much water as recommended on package! Water-Soluble fertilizer during the spring and summer, it 's time to fertilize it flowering tropical cactus blooms... For example,... water them to keep your cacti gift, you can actually root the cuttings allowing. Have received a Christmas cactus should only be fertilized during the late spring and summer months with lots of light! Janet Bayers has written on travel, real estate trends and gardening ``... Reigning from the stem to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium come! After blooming to encourage it to branch there are a little crowded or! Own homemade fertilizer for when the plant becomes simple to add fertilizer to your cactus... Succulent needs specific and attentive care in order to bloom during Christmas time many other plants, and! Blades into Lysol or Pine-Sol burn the stems rot may occur find and! Will likely drop its blossoms que la planta florezca pure vermiculite about a. Fragile in that it only blooms for a Christmas cactus should be borne in mind fertilizing. Light during summer the most popular houseplants sold during the spring and blend them together.! The garden in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, are popular gifts night... Per gallon ( 5 mL planted in soil give your Christmas cactus doesn ’ t need fertilizer while is., however, you don’t drop blooms early by following the advice below houseplants to Schlumbergera... How: keep up to date with all that 's happening in and around winter!