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kgibbs25

How can I get my Christmas cactus to bloom this year?

kgibbs25
9 years ago

I have a Christmas cactus that NEVER blooms, but grows like a weed. It is very healthy and consistently has new growth. I have left it outside for the summer, but really want to it to bloom this year. Any tips on how I can get it to bloom this season?

Comments (10)

  • americangolden
    9 years ago

    Hello kgd25,

    You need to make sure that come fall/winter, you are having the plant be in 12-14 hours of darkness. Meaning it can't be in a room that has lights turned on and off. It needs to be uninterrupted darkness. Try keeping it in a cooler area that doesn't have any drafts. In about a month or two you should see buds forming. Good luck!

  • teengardener1888
    9 years ago

    I find just leaving them outside until the very last moment in fall gives them the right ratio of light to bloom, for mine form buds before they even come in(assuming you are really talking about the Thanksgiving cactus and not the true christmas cactus which is way less common and blooms later) Christmas cactus wont bud outside but with that treatment they tend to bloom for me anyway:)

  • dbarron
    9 years ago

    Dress up in a large red suit, stuff the waistline with a pillow, and 'ho ho ho' to it every day.
    And if that doesn't work, do what they said about leaving it outside for cooler temps and lower light. When you bring it inside avoid exposure to artificial lights after dark. It blooms on a photoperiod...too much light=no blooms.

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    9 years ago

    Can it stay outside all year where you are? That should do it. They respond to short days/long nights. If you do need to bring it in, put it in a room where you don't turn on the lights after dark.

    More info here, here, and here.

  • greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
    9 years ago

    Can you post a picture of the plant?
    Perhaps there's something in the culture that is preventing it from blooming.

    Josh

  • subtropix
    9 years ago

    We have no idea where you are zone wise. Are you, in fact, Zone 10?

    I can safely leave mine outside through early November, usually later, and it sets buds without fail, every year. So, it is usually in bloom late November into December. I do nothing for it but leave it outside...in the darkening days of Autumn.

  • meyermike_1micha
    9 years ago

    Mine never need to get cold or cool to bloom...

    All I have to do is feed them during growing season and leave them put, in the greenhouse or a room in which gets dark naturally with daylight and they all bloom..

    In fact, I try not to expose most of mine to cold since I want the true bright colors I bought them for..If left to get cold, like below the 60's, all of mine will not bloom to true color..

    Mike

  • meyermike_1micha
    9 years ago

    Mine never need to get cold or cool to bloom...

    All I have to do is feed them during growing season and leave them put, in the greenhouse or a room in which gets dark naturally with daylight and they all bloom..

    In fact, I try not to expose most of mine to cold since I want the true bright colors I bought them for..If left to get cold, like below the 60's, all of mine will not bloom to true color..

    Mike

  • nomen_nudum
    9 years ago

    Will agree with not to cool I had flowering on mine during mid to late June this year with back of house some direct sun late day with temps in the 80's.

    I antisipate it to flower again during the holidays as it had a short rest in a dimer natural lighting cooler than 80 warm area, then re into it to brightness temps can be higher than 70's but lows would be near the same temp Mike had mentioned.