recover out how and when to move your Christmas cactus out of doors successfully for the summer .
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Key Takeaways
Moving your Christmas cactus out of doors for the summer is an in force way to encourage blooming later in the year . Exposing this houseplant to the higher humidity , fond temperature , and brighter light of the outdoors supports strong hefty growth and encourages more flower buds to set . Use the following must - get laid tips to successfully move your Christmas cactus out of doors for the summer andtransition it back indoorsin the fall .
1. Wait for Warmth
A Christmas cactus iswinter hardy in USDA zone 10 - 12 . In colder zones , a Christmas cactus can be damage or killed by freezing wintertime temperature . So if you desire to move your works outdoors , make indisputable to move it outdoors after your sphere ’s nighttime temperatures are at least 60 ° F .
2. Avoid Intense Heat and Direct Sunlight
Exposure to vivid heat and direct sunlight can cause impairment to Christmas cacti . So , if you project to keep your Christmas cactus outside during the summertime , place the plant in an area where temperature are mostly in the 70 - 85 ° F range . This tropical industrial plant requiresbright , indirect lightduring the daytime to produce flower . Placing your plant indirect sunlight can cause the plant ’s leaves to burnor work a reddish purple colour .
3. Acclimate Plants to Outdoor Temperatures
A Christmas cactus can expand outside in the summer with bright , filter illumination and increased air movement . However , it is in force to slowlytransition the plant life to out-of-door weather condition . Start by setting the works outdoors for an time of day on the first twenty-four hours and step by step increase the time spent outside each following mean solar day .
4. Repot in Spring
It is best torepot your Christmas cactusevery three or four twelvemonth to promote healthy , unshakable growth of new stems and even unfolding . If you remark fewer flower this wintertime or the flower buds dropped off prematurely , plan torepot your Christmas cactus in former springto take advantage of the plant ’s instinctive growth bicycle . Growing your industrial plant inwell - drain soilmade up of one part potting soil , two parts peat moss or compost , and one part grit or perlite will curb moisture well yet drain excessive moisture toprevent tooth root rot .
5. Choose the Best Pot
Christmas cactus fly high in a shallow container , hanging basket , or mounted quite a little where it can drape over the container ’s side and be make for indoors when temperatures decline . Whenrepotting your plant , increase the size of its container by just a couple of column inch in diameter so the root mass can expand to support unexampled ontogenesis while allowing for the plant ’s natural preference for growing in small-scale position .
6. Water Based on the Current Season
How often you should irrigate a Christmas cactusdepends on the prison term of year . In the fountain and summer , this industrial plant is actively growing , so you should irrigate it well when the airfoil of the grime is just ironic . To keep off overwatering , reserve the grunge to dry out slightly between watering . In the downfall , you ’ll be watering more ofttimes to fix the Christmas cactus for bloom season , but you still only irrigate the industrial plant when the filth Earth’s surface feels dry to the touch .
7. Apply a Low-Strength Fertilizer in Early Spring
You ’ll know it ’s prison term tofertilize your Christmas cactuswhen you see new growth from the peak of its branches in former spring . Since the plant has thin , shallow roots that can easily be damage with a strong fertilizer , use a 1/4 - strength solution of soluble plant fertilizer or an organic fertilizer monthly until early fall .
8. Check for Mealybugs
Inspect your Christmas cactus often to ensure mealybugs are not on your works . These diminished insects have a waxy , white , cottony appearance and can usually be found in clump on the underside of parting and in stem joints . Plants infested with mealybugsusually become lessened and display scrunch , wither leaves .
If you find mealybugs on your Christmas cactus , get disembarrass of them by covering the soil in the plant ’s pot to prevent overwatering . Then , wash the microbe off the plant with a impregnable stream of water . For stubborn infestations , insecticidal soap and neem oil are efficacious organic solutions .
9. Move Plants Indoors Before Cold Weather
A Christmas cactus can not withstand freezing temperatures . When nighttime temperatures shine below 60 ° F , bring the Christmas cactus back indoors toprotect it from frost . Give your plantbright , collateral visible radiation , or filtered light by placing it in a west- , north- , or east - look windowpane . Avoid invest the industrial plant in the lineal sun of a Confederacy - facing window because the smart light could make suntan damage .
Frequently Asked Questions
In nature , the plant ’s bud form when the sidereal day shorten in fall , and theChristmas cactus receive about 12 hours of darkness day by day . After displace your plant indoors , place it in a darkened room or cover it so it receives no more than 12 hours of lighting during the eight weeks before Christmas to flower for the holiday .
Chrismas cactus is not a genuine cactus and is not as drought - tolerant as genuine cacti . However , it is a succulent that holds a enceinte amount of water in its leaves .
A Christmas cactus can live about 30 years . In ideal condition , it can live even longer .
Credit:Martin Wahlborg / Getty Images
