Schlumbergera (Zygocactus) is a species of cactus native to the tropical climate of Brazil. Members of the genus are epiphytic, growing on tree branches in forests. The plant is often called the Christmas cactus or the Decembrist, as it blooms around Christmas time. Schlumbergera is grown as a trailing plant. Its green stems and vibrant flowers make it a stunning addition to hanging pots.
The most common type of Schlumbergera among flower growers is the one known to everyone Decembrist, because caring for himIt is quite easy to grow at home, and the plant delights its owners with bright flowers every year even with minimal attention.
Characteristics of Schlumbergera
The plant doesn't look much like a cactus—it lacks spines—but botanically, the Zygocactus is a cactus. It thrives in the shade of tropical rainforests, so it doesn't need to store water.
The Christmas cactus is a small, multi-branched shrub. The green shoots are flattened and serrated at the edges. At the ends of the jointed branches, elongated tubular flowers appear in early winter, ranging in color from white, red, or pink, with a cluster of long stamens.
Schlumbergera and Decembrist – is there a difference between them?
In our country, two varieties of Zygocactus are most commonly found in apartments: Schlumbergera truncatina and Buckley. Buckley is the variety known as the Decembrist, as it typically blooms in December. The plant's stems are formed from elongated segments with rounded protrusions. Lilac-pink buds emerge from drooping shoots up to 60 cm long.
Besides the Decembrist Buckley, the Truncate Schlumbergera is often seen on windowsills. It is distinguished by serrated edges along the segments, and its long flowers are slightly slanted. Thanks to selective breeding, a wide variety of petal shades are now available: purple, pink, white, and lilac. The bush typically grows to a height of no more than 40 cm. The stems are light green, sometimes with a reddish tint.
Other species
Zygocactus russeliana, also grown indoors, has branched, drooping stems up to 1.2 m long. The segments have a prominent central vein. The edges of the segments are wavy and spineless. During flowering, the plant produces pink, purple, or burgundy flowers.
There are many hybrid varieties of zygocactus, among which gardeners highlight the most interesting:
- Christmas Fantasy features a beautiful bush form and salmon-colored flowers. This hybrid variety is very popular;
Christmas Fantasy - White Christmas is a plant with white flowers. It has a longer blooming period than other varieties.
White Christmas
Maintenance and care of Schlumbergera at home
To maintain a zygocactus, it is necessary to create the following conditions: maintaining the necessary humidity, lighting, and mandatory adherence to care rules during the dormant period.
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Beginning gardeners often assume that if a plant belongs to the Cactaceae family, it requires full sun. This doesn't apply to the Decembrist and other species, as in their natural habitat, they thrive in the shade of tropical forests. A permanent location for the pot should be chosen, as the cactus is sensitive to changes in lighting (it may shed flowers and buds).
If this isn't possible in your apartment, place the plant on an east- or south-facing windowsill, but make sure to provide some shade. During the fall and winter, decreased sunlight promotes the formation of flower buds, so additional lighting is unnecessary.
The room temperature in which the plant lives should be constant and without sudden fluctuations. The ideal temperature is considered to be 18-20°C. When warmer weather arrives, it's advisable to move the pot to a balcony or veranda, but the temperature there shouldn't drop below 13°C.
Watering and air humidity
Schlumbergera grows in tropical forests, so it should be kept in the same conditions as possible indoors. Since the plant is epiphytic, moisture doesn't stay in the roots for long, so it should be watered frequently but sparingly. Once flowering begins, watering should be increased. During this time, it's important to monitor the soil, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
This moisture-loving plant responds well to regular spraying with warm, settled water. It's best to spray year-round, especially during the heating season. During bud formation, increase the distance between the plant and the spray bottle to prevent water droplets from causing the delicate buds to rot.
Top dressing
During the summer, Schlumbergera is fed with nitrogen-containing cactus food or general-purpose fertilizer. Fertilizer applications should be no more than twice a month. During flowering, the Christmas cactus can be fed with fertilizer for flowering plants.
Eggshells can be used as fertilizer:
- raw shells are washed well;
- fill with clean water;
- insist for 24 hours.
The prepared infusion can be used to water the plant. Before budding, it's recommended to water the plant with room-temperature brewed tea instead of regular water. After such watering, the Christmas cactus will not only bloom but also form many more flower buds.
Trimming
After flowering, Schlumbergera can be pruned to create a beautiful crown. It's best to do this by hand, rather than using a sharp object, and instead, pruning off any overgrown segments.
In florist shops, you can sometimes see an unusual standard Schlumbergera, which is created by grafting. This process involves taking a Peyreschia (also from the Cactus family), cutting off its top, and inserting a small Decembrist cutting into the remaining stem. After all these steps, the graft is secured with thread, which is removed after the graft has grown together.
Rest period
From August, the plant gradually begins to enter a dormant phase, so care should be adjusted slightly, as this is when the plant gains strength to form flower buds. Reduce the room temperature to 13-15°C, reduce watering, and avoid fertilizing. It is recommended to use brewed tea as a watering solution.
In October, you should pay more attention to the plant, as the abundance and duration of flowering depend on October care. Watering should be sparse, as should lighting. During this time, the room should be ventilated more frequently. At the end of the month, it is recommended to feed the plant with a fertilizer for flowering plants, which promotes long-lasting blooms.
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Schlumbergera is easily propagated by cuttings. Cuttings should be taken by hand, pinching off a few segments at the ends of the shoots.
The separated portion is left for a day to dry slightly, after which it is planted in soil for rooting. To prevent the segments from rotting, the cutting is not buried deep in the soil. It is placed upright, supported with toothpicks or leaned against the side of the container.
For repotting, select a nutritious, loose soil mixture with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Zygocacti grow well in peat soil with the addition of sand, bark, or small pebbles. The Christmas cactus grows best in the following soil mixture:
- leaf soil - 1 part;
- turf soil - 1 part;
- charcoal and sand - 0.5 parts each.
Young Schlumbergeras are repotted after the flowering phase has ended. The frequency is once every 1-2 years. A mature plant needs to be repotted every 3-4 years. A pot should be selected just a few centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one. The container should be wide but not deep, as the plant's roots grow closer to the surface. The repotting procedure is as follows:
- A drainage layer and a little soil mixture are poured into the bottom of the new pot.
- The Schlumbergera is carefully removed from the old container and the remaining soil is carefully shaken off.
- The plant is moved to the center of the new pot.
- Holding the bush with your left hand, add fresh soil to the container with your right hand.
The transplant process - There is no need to compact the soil, because after watering it will settle, after which you can add soil to the required level.
The first watering should be done only after three days. The water should be warm and settled.
Diseases, pests of the Decembrist and their control
Schlumbergera has a strong immune system, so with proper care, it rarely gets sick. The plant can be susceptible to fungal infections, such as late blight and fusarium. Affected plants begin to shed their stems, which take on a pale green tint. Infection control involves spraying the above-ground portions with Skor or Topaz, and adding a Maxim solution to the water.
If small white lumps appear on the flower, it's infested with mealybugs. To combat the pest, use an insecticide (such as Aktara). Spider mites can also infest the surface of Schlumbergera. Affected plants develop a rusty coating and appear unhealthy. Special products such as Fitoverm, Neoron, and Actellic can help get rid of the mites.
High humidity can cause damage to the plant, particularly to scale insects—small insects up to 5 mm in size. These pests can literally suck the life out of the Decembrist, so they must be removed immediately. The insects can be collected with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol or a solution of malathion. As a preventative measure, the foliage can be treated with an insecticide.
Frequently asked questions about growing
Schlumbergera is a relatively easy-to-grow houseplant. Even beginners learning the basics of gardening are encouraged to grow it. With minimal but proper care, the flower is sure to delight its owner with abundant, vibrant blooms during the Christmas holidays.