The Schlumbergera flower (commonly known as Zygocactus, botanical name Schlumbergera) is native to South America. From tropical forests, it confidently migrated to other regions, adapted well to the local climate, and can delight with winter flowering for about 30 years in regions with snowy winters. In this article, we share some useful information on how to properly grow a Schlumbergera at home.
Flower's overview
The tubular flower of the Schlumbergera resembles a multi-tiered crown, and its color can range from bright pink to purple. Numerous stamens merge into a tube and extend beyond the crown. The inner long petals grow together to the middle, and the outer short ones are divided and curved outward. The small seeds of the plant look like brown balls and ripen in a fruit like a rose hip. The roots are compact and sparse. Green shoots grow in pairs, symmetrical.
Varieties of the Schlumbergera flower
Initially, only two varieties of Schlumbergera were widespread-with white and red flowers. Due to breeding efforts, a range of new varieties emerged and continue to be replenished regularly.
The most famous varieties:
Russiliana
A bush distinguished by lush flowering and a tendency to branch, up to 30 cm (12 inches) high with long meter-long shoots. The petals of tubular flowers resemble bells with long stamens.
Truncated
A spreading bush with light green long shoots. Multi-tiered flowers are decorated with pointed petals and a cascade of stamens. The color varies from lilac to white.
Buckley
Bush up to 40 cm (16 inches) high with dark green fleshy shoots. Flowers from 8 cm (3 inches) in size. Color depends on the variety
More than a hundred Schlumbergera hybrids have been bred. They are combined into series, the differences between which are only in the shades and sizes of flowers. The growing conditions for the schlumbergera do not change.
Caring for the schlumbergera at home
To grow a Schlumbergera flower, you need to know exactly what this exotic plant needs. On the one hand, it is unpretentious, despite its tropical origin. On the other hand, it is necessary to create favorable conditions so that the plant will please you with its flowering every year.
Recommendations for growing Schlumbergera:
ensure sufficiently high air humidity (by spraying);
protect from direct sunlight, otherwise, the shoots will turn red;
do not use additional lighting since the plant prefers short daylight hours;
avoid over-watering and over-drying of the soil substrate;
take it out onto the terrace in summer, place it in partial shade;
protect the plant from drafts.
Let's talk in more detail about some of the features of growing Schlumbergera.
Lighting
Cacti like direct sunlight. The schlumbergera needs diffused light, but there should be no lack of lighting. A room with windows facing north is a good place to place the flower pot. The humidity of the kitchen and bathroom will also please it.
Watering
The frequency of watering depends on the stage of flower development. For watering, use settled water at room temperature. From October to January, when the period of budding and subsequent flowering begins, the plant needs abundant watering, but do not allow liquid to stagnate in the tray.
Humidity
The Schlumbergera likes high humidity. To promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering, spray the plant regularly or use a humidifier.
Temperature
The flower does not like temperature changes, and it also does not like excessive heat and cold. The optimal temperature range is +15…+25°C (59…77°F) degrees with air humidity of 75%. During budding, it is useful to harden the plant on the balcony at a temperature of about +15°C (59°F) degrees.
Fertilization
It is impossible to imagine caring for and growing Decembrist at home without regular fertilizing. A complex fertilizer for cacti is suitable for this purpose. Fertilizing is carried out according to the following scheme:
From February to March, when the flower is resting, it is enough to only slightly moisten the soil. To prevent the soil substrate from drying out, the tray is lined with expanded clay and moss. Fertilizing is not carried out during this period..
From April until the end of summer, the Christmas cactus enters a period of active vegetation. At this time, regular moderate watering is required. You can add ammonia to the water at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 liter (0.3 gl) of water. Fertilizer is applied once every 2 weeks. The main component is the NPK complex. The dosage of the preparation intended for fertilizing indoor flowers is divided in half.
In September, the plant is preparing to bloom, which means it is time to limit watering. Remember to moisten the moss in the tray to maintain optimal humidity. As soon as the buds appear, intensive watering and fertilization begin.
Transplant
Although the plant grows slowly, growing schlumbergera does not exclude replanting the plant. If you buy a plant in a pot and the roots are sticking out of the drainage hole, replanting should be done immediately. If the roots are not visible, it can be postponed until the flower is 5 years old.
It is best to do this at the end of the flowering period. The plant's roots are superficial and poorly developed, so a wide, shallow pot will do. In a too spacious container, the roots will actively grow to the detriment of flowering.
Repotting an adult plant begins with filling the pot with drainage by ⅓. The remaining ⅔ is occupied by compacted soil. The flower is moved from the old pot to the new one after thoroughly cleaning the roots from the old soil mixture. After this, all that remains is to carefully sprinkle the roots with soil and water lightly. As the substrate settles, you can add a little new.
Trimming
Young plants do not require pinching (pruning). You can only remove faded buds. After flowering, the crown of adult bushes is formed. Knives are not used for this, but simply with your hands, carefully remove faded, limp shoots and wilted buds.
Reproduction
Most often, propagation is carried out by cuttings and, in rare cases, by grafting onto succulents. In any of the scenarios, shoots without diseases and damage are selected for the purpose.
How to grow a Schlumbergera from a cutting? You can immediately root them in the soil or first place them in water. In the second case, the process is accelerated.
What to do if the Schlumbergera does not bloom
How to properly grow a schlumbergera so that it blooms every year? If the flowering season has come, but there are no flowers at all, there are several reasons for this – the timing of feeding and watering is violated, or the optimal temperature regime is not created. The problem can be eliminated by returning to the traditional care scheme. And by next Christmas, exotic flowers will delight you with bright colors.
