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The waxy , colorful blooms of the Easter cactus appear in local garden centers and grocery store in March and April , producing an abundance of red or pinkish , starlike blossom that can last well into May or longer . But once the flowers fade , Easter cacti do n’t postulate to end up on the curb . Relatively low - maintenance succulent , they actually make one of thebest houseplant .
Easter Cactus Care at a Glance
Common Name : Easter cactus , spring cactusScientific Name : genus Schlumbergera gaertneriSoil : Fast - drainingLight : Bright , indirectWater : ConsistentFood : During combat-ready increase and bloomTemperature and humidness : 65 to 80 degree Fahrenheit ; 50 percent humidness or higherPropagation : CuttingsSafety : Nontoxic
Easter Cactus Characteristics
The Easter cactus , Schlumbergera gaertneri(also sometimes calledRhipsalidopsis gaertneriorHatiora gaertneri , is native to the nerveless rainforests of Brazil . An epiphyte , the Easter cactus gets most of its moisture in the air , rather than straightaway from the soil . Epiphytes are tree diagram - consist plant , so they have shallow root systems . This is authoritative to remember when thinking of Easter cactus care , since the secret to the industrial plant ’s winner is thrifty lacrimation and plentitude of humidness . With its shallow root scheme , it only needs repotting when the plant life is about cracking the pot in which it ’s growing .
The Easter cactus belongs to the same genus as its cousins , theChristmas cactusandThanksgiving cactus . Unlike the other two vacation cactus varieties , the Easter cactus flower later in the spring . agriculturist time the flowers to seem in March or April , typically around Easter , thus its coarse name .
aside from the clip of year these flora flower , an well-heeled way to recite betweenChristmas cactus vs. Easter cactus — as well as Thanksgiving vs. Easter cactus — is by looking at the stems . The branch stems , or cladode , of the Easter cactus have the most rounded leaves of the three . grace cactus , meanwhile , has pointed claw - like edge and Christmas cactus can look quite similar , but with teardrop - like stem turn edges . Easter cactus flowers , typically red or pink , are also more pointed and star - like than their cousins .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Selecting Soil for Easter Cacti
Not only do Easter cacti have shallow root , they are also study succulent , which intend a tight - draining soil mix is a must to prevent roots from sitting in water . choose for a well - balanced and porous potting mix that include perlite , coarse sand , some peat moss , and nutrient - dim constituent mulch . According to theUniversity of Arizona Cooperative Extension , one elbow room to achieve the correct equilibrium is to apply about 60 to 80 percent commercial pot grime with 20 to 40 percentage added perlite .
The Right Light
Like many houseplant , Easter cactus prefers bright , collateral Inner Light . Indoors , this usually comes from a north- or east - facing window . Outside , take to keep Easter cacti in bright tint , such as a spot that gets some refinement from a tree . Easter cacti leaf that are overexposed to light will produce a red , purple , or even pale green colour .
for rebloom , however , Easter cacti postulate a period of light neediness for 2 to 3 months , with a minimum of 13 time of day of darkness per 24 - time of day period . For many homes , this is easy reach by keeping the flora out of the ignitor of a window or in a seldom - used way that remains glowering at Nox .
Watering Easter Cactus
An overwatered Easter cactus is an unhappy one , so consistent watering is decisive to keep these plant respectable . calculate to irrigate when the top 1 to 2 inch of the soil find dry to the hint . Do n’t let them dry out so much that the soil begins to pull away from the potbelly ; this causes soil compaction and results in a potting admixture that wo n’t drain quickly .
During their active growing and blooming stage , look to water a 6 - inch Easter cactus once every 3 days or so , but keep in mind this can vary greatly look on the humidity , the sizing of the plant life , and the size of it of the pot . Always be sure that the water drains completely and that the pot is not sitting in water supply .
Fertilizing Easter Cactus
Like manysucculents , Easter cacti should be fertilize sparingly , about once a month , with a balanced water - soluble fertiliser ( 15 - 15 - 15 ) . Easter cactus fertilizer should be stretch , so do n’t use the same proportion involve for regular houseplant . discontinue fertilizing after the plant ’s blooms have fallen , allow it a period of time of eternal sleep . Take attention not to practice swimming fertilizer to a teetotal plant ; water system it and allow it to drain first , then apply the fertilizer .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
Easter cacti are aboriginal to a tropical climate , so warm temperatures and sight of humidness are keys to encourage goodish growth . The average home is not humid enough for this industrial plant , especially in the wintertime , so works possessor can increase humidness either by placing a humidifier in the area or by becloud the plant on a regular basis ( every day to every other day ) . Another trick to increase the humidity is to set the pot on a shallow tray or saucer fill with pebbles , and then total water . The pebbles will keep the pot out of the weewee , help to avoid oversaturation or overwatering of the Easter cactus .
Propagating Easter Cacti
Learning how to diffuse Easter cactus for more plants is fairly straight . Easter cacti are best broadcast using cuttings taken when dress after spring bloom . Just do the following :
How to Get Easter Cactus to Bloom
Like the Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus , it helps to know how to get the Easter cactus to blossom each springtime . The plant must go through a full stop of light and temperature variety to bloom again . Like its holiday cactus cousins , the plant needs at least 8 weeks of nighttime lightness want , and Easter cactus might bloom well with up to 12 week ( or 3 months ) of short day . This is easy to attain than it sounds .
To cajole out blooms around Easter , reckon back 12 weeks from the date you want to see the flower bud , between December and January , and begin to shift the industrial plant ’s light vulnerability . During this period of time of calorie-free deprivation , do not fertilize the plants and be measured not to overwater .
To aline light and temperature :
Photo: istockphoto.com
Once the plant begins to set buds , choose an area in the home plate with consistently hopeful , indirect brightness . Keep the Easter cactus flower by head off moving the plant once the buds have formed , since this can cause the severely - earned blossom to overleap .
Safety Considerations
All members of theSchlumbergeragenus , include the Easter cactus , are dependable for humans . They are also nontoxic to hombre , dogs and horse cavalry , as designated by theASPCA . However , it ’s always a good idea to expend caution around pets and people when fertilizing or spraying for pest . Additionally , glove and centre protection are recommend while applying pesticide or insecticides , even homemade ones .
Potential Pests and Diseases
One of the bad issues Easter cacti face is overwatering by well - meaning plant owners . Too much water will make the usually luxuriant light-green leaves to blench . It will also encourage fungus gnats , mealybugs , aphids , and othercommon houseplant pests . to boot , there are a number of fungous and viral diseases to which the member of theSchlumbergeragroup are susceptible . accord toPenn State University , these include botrytis blight , basal shank bunkum , Impatiens necrotic spot virus , pythium etymon rotting , and genus Phytophthora radical rot .
FAQ About Easter Cactus Care
The outpouring - flowering cactus is pop for a reason : long - lasting flush and overall relatively low - maintenance plant concern . Still , there are always some common Easter cactus problems and questions . Here are a few of the most often require , along with the answers .
Q.How long can Easter cactus live?
Like its other holiday cactus cousins , the Easter cactus can live for 10 years or more . If give care for properly , they can live substantially longer , survive for generation .
Q.Why are the leaves on my Easter cactus limp?
The most probable causal agent of limp leaves on an Easter cactus is overwatering . Stop watering the plant life and admit the soil to dry out completely , then water sparingly ( once a week ) until the works recovers . Easter cactus parting can also go wilted if exposed to moth-eaten temperatures , 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower .
Q.Where should I place my Easter cactus in my house?
To ensure plenty of bright , collateral light , commit the Easter cactus near a due north - facing or E - facing window .
Q.Does Easter cactus need direct sunlight?
Easter cacti favor bright , indirect sunlight , however some daybreak sun in the wintertime calendar month , when the sun is not as harsh , can be okay .
Q.Should I mist my Easter cactus?
Yes ! Easter cacti dear humidness , so obnubilate them frequently will help them thrive .
Looking for more easy - care succulent ? Check out our guide on caring forjade , aloe vera , andkalanchoe .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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We ’ll help you rig up your first garden — whether that ’s a few throne on your terrace , a raised layer , or an in - dry land secret plan out back — and pick out the correct plants for your soil and region .
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