How to Care for a Flowering Holiday Cactus
- 1). Place your holiday cactus in an area of your home that receives indirect sunlight, such as a kitchen table away from windows. Too much direct light will cause the flowers to fade in color, while the heat from direct sunlight can cause the buds to drop, according to the University of Illinois Extension.
- 2). Check the soil daily to see if it needs watering. Press your finger into the soil; water only if the soil is dry below the top inch. Water the holiday cactus deeply, not stopping until water starts draining out the bottom of the pot. If the cactus pot is on a saucer, drain the water off. Do not overwater these plants -- the roots should not be kept constantly wet.
- 3). Fertilize the cactus during the growing season, in the months from spring to early fall. Apply a flowering plant fertilizer every two to three weeks, following the label directions.
- 4). Repot holiday cactus when it starts to become pot-bound -- this occurs when roots start matting together. Choose a pot the next size up and use well-draining potting soil.
- 5). Prune the holiday cactus in June. Cut off a few sections of each stem with a sharp knife or scissors.
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