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  2. Problems and Solutions
  3. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

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Plant:

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Image of Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Water
When the soil is just barely moist.
Light
Needs bright light.
Related problems

Bud Drop -

Image of Bud Drop
Bud Drop

Failure to Bloom - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

Image of Failure to Bloom - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)
Failure to Bloom

Root and Stem Rot - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

Image of Root and Stem Rot - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)
Root and Stem Rot
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Bud Drop -

Image of Bud Drop
Bud Drop
Description
Flower buds form at the tips of branches and begin to develop normally but fall off before opening. Fallen buds appear normal. The situation worsens if the plant is moved after it is in bud. Bud drop can be partial or total.
Analysis

Schlumbergera flowers are sensitive to excess heat, exposure to ethylene gas, and lack of light. In response to one or more of these conditions, buds drop off rather than drying up, as they would on some other stressed flowering plants. Damage may also occur shortly after the schlumbergera is moved.

Solution

Avoid exposing schlumbergera to excessive warmth when the plant is about to bloom. 40&deg; to 70&deg;F at night and 60&deg; to 80&deg;F by day should work. Daytime temperatures below 60&deg;F, delay flowering. Keep the plant away from fireplaces, gas heaters and heating vents, and ripening fruit. Insufficient light can also cause bud drop. Bright light with at least some morning sun is usually necessary to prevent loss of buds. Don''t move the plant after it has budded.

Close

Failure to Bloom - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

Image of Failure to Bloom - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)
Failure to Bloom
Description
Christmas cactus does not grow buds or bloom, but otherwise appears healthy.
Analysis

In the wild, Christmas cactus rely on lengthening nights and cooler night temperatures to begin blooming. They will not bloom if nights are shorter than 13 hours and warmer than 55&deg;F. Since most people only turn their house lights off for 8 hours a night, and most homes are warmer than 55&deg;, Christmas cactus will not bloom indoors unless given special treatment. In nature, Christmas cactus blooms in November or December, depending on the species. A related plant, Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis), blooms in mid-spring.

Solution

In fall, this plant needs either long or cool nights. An unheated room that can be left dark at night is ideal. If your climate permits, place the plant on a covered porch, but don''t leave it out if frost threatens. Nights longer than 13 hours or cooler than 55&deg; will trigger blooming; plants don''t require both. The dark must be unbroken. Even a short period of light keeps the night from being long enough. The plant will bloom about 6 weeks from the beginning of this treatment.

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Root and Stem Rot - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)

Image of Root and Stem Rot - Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus)
Root and Stem Rot
Description
Stems wilt and turn lighter green and dull. Plants stop flowering, are stunted, and may die. Large brown, circular, sunken areas may appear on the stem at or just below the soil line. The potting mix may have a musty smell.
Analysis

This plant disease is caused by any of several fungi, including those known as water molds. These soil-inhabiting fungi (Phythium and Phytophthora species) spread through the root system. Stems of plants weakened by these root-rotting fungi are susceptible to attack by the stem-rotting fungus Fusarium oxysporum. The fungus causes large brown, sunken areas on the main stems near the soil line. If it girdles the stem, the plant will die.

Solution

If the plant is only mildly affected, let the soil dry out between waterings. You may need to transplant the plant to a container with a well-drained soil mix. Trim off rotted roots, dipping cutting tools into bleach solution between cuts. Discard severely infected plants and the soil in which they grew. Wash and disinfect the pots before reuse.

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