Gita, how long does it take before CCs start blooming? I have the cuttings you gave me last spring, which are growing nicely but not yet blooming.
Also, I accidentally broke off a large piece while I was watering. Is this normal? Do you need to be gentle with handling them, or are they unusually weak because I'm not caring for them correctly?
HOLIDAY CACTUS GENERAL DISCUSSION - PART #6
ss--
I don't know what to tell you. I have no "methods" --and I do not fuss over them.
Maybe if I did more, especially fertilized some, they would bloom sooner.
I keep everything outside all summer--even the babies, but they sit in total shade
just outside my front door. I hose them down when I think of it.
Usually, if the new plants are big enough--they will bloom around Thanksgiving.
All of mine have yet to bloom (from the new ones I started a couple years ago).
Some have--and then I make sure I tag them with the color.
And, of course, I have started a whole new batch this past fall again.
All raaided from the CC rack at Lowes.
Remember--they need the darkness of the night and cool temps to set bud.
By the time I bring all my bigger pots inside, they all have tops covered in buds
JB would be the one to ask---she can grow them VERY successfully.
She will probably read your and mine Post here anyways. Ask her!
The plants she is referring to, that I gave her, were just cuttings--and she says
they won't stop blooming. Wish I had that problem!
Of course--she has a greenhouse and an actual Plant selling business.
She has done this for a long, long time.
The plants in the kitchen that I took a photo of--She MAILED those to me--in pots yet!
The box was huge--full of paper padding.....I cannot believe it!
When I unpacked them all, the only casualty was ONE leaf section broken off ONE plant.
I would suggest you trek back to Part #1 of this Thread and read and read....
You will learn all you need to know. They are all connected--like "We came from Here"....
Besides--all of us were involved in it--lots of links given and lots of pictures posted.
The interest has vaned a bit. Maybe everyone learned all they needed....
The piece you broke off--was in near thew soil? Sometimes I have had a whole section break off
because the stem in the soil just dried up or rotted out.
Then I clean up the bottom to fresh green and pot up the whole thing--or break it apart
and pot up sections of it.
Sometimes these damaged sections are so dessicated that they just fall off.
****DO NOT break or cut off a segment!!! TWIST IT OFF!!!
Sorry--I think reading over the old posts or asking JB--right here!--is the best thing.
Gita
JB--
Use the granules generously on your older plants--and water them in every few days.
May take up to 2-3 weeks before the plant juices get toxic.
Don't let the Mealy Bugs fool you. They hide in places you would never thing to look.
Like--where aa leaf comes out next to a stem. Or--in folds and furls of a leaf.
Under flaky old stems. Their "nurseries" are the fluffs you see. The adult Mealy Bug is not fluffed.
Sometimes I used to dribble alcohol right down all the nooks and crannies to kill whatever is
hiding there.
It will be a LONG haul--if you have Mealy Bugs!!! Spray them often with dish soap mixed into water.
Regular "Joy" is recommended. The trick to killing M.B. is to suffocate them.
Even though their "shells" are waxy--they still need air to live. Horticultural Oil is good too, of course.
Keep small bottles of Alcohol and Q-Tips handy--in case you see one or two.
Mix Alcohol and water and keep a spray bottle of it around as well. Do not spray straight alcohol--
dilute it. Not sure of the ratio. 50-50 would work--or is that too strong?
Anyone?????
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/greenhs/htms/mealybugs.htm
http://houseplants.about.com/od/pests/a/Mealybugs.htm
These are some that are blooming in the house. A few are blooming in the GH but mostly the ones in the house.
#1 is Christen
#2 Twilight Tangerine
#3 Yellow Zygo bud
#4 Malinda
In addition to them, the Salmon babies Gita sent me are blooming. The old Salmon Hybrid Petra gave me is blooming. The two old Fuchsia are also blooming. They are in the house, some on the window sill of East and North windows. Others are on the divider between the bird room and the dining area. The two old fuchsia are in my bedroom that has a south exposure. Get no sun, just light . Temp. in the house is usually 70 deg.
Gita I will water those plants again soon. Thanks for reminding me. JB BTW, did the person who ask about how you get them to bloom get her answer? If not, let me know and I will hunt that information for her. I think it is in the history of the cc. I am sorry I did not reply but I have been working on the taxes and just finished today. Let me know. Have a good day. We got about 8 inches of snow. BLAH!
JB--
I answered the best I could--just 2 posts above yours.
Mine are not blooming either. They may be too cold--too dry--too neglected...who knows.
The ones i sent you the pictures of--in my kitchen--are the ones you sent me in that big box.
You said I have a green thumb---well, you had the green thumb as they looked pretty good when
I unpacked them.
Now they are looking pretty good to me too.
Do you think they may put out some bloom later in the spring? I'd love to see all the colors....
There is one trying to bloom--a med. pink one with a bit of white in the throat. Still in bud...
Thanks again. Gita
I think they need to slightly be pot bound and their roots are just not mature enough. Give them a few weeks yet. I do not remember if they were blooming before you got them not. I have a feeling they have bloomed already and are resting now. I thought I sent you the pictures of their colors. Age catching up with me I suppose. JB
I am still watering all my CC's--as needed.
Should I stop?
I am afraid they will get all dessicated and limp if i don't water at all...
.What do you say? G.
Mine get water when the tops feel dry. Stick your finger down in to be sure if they are dry. Do not give them too much. I also water with cold water. I am going to bed. I am tired of this snow and need to get some sleep. JB
So many of mine are in such small containers (2" maybe) that i could never stick my finger in it.
I also go by them "looking dry in top"--but I also pick the containers up and go by weight.
That is almost a better gauge of how dry any given pot is.
Anyway--wanted to show you one of my started (Dec, 2011) "baby" CC's blooming.
This one I had labeled: "Deep pink with white accents". It does not show much white anywhere on it..
The picture shows more white than there is. May just be a reflection? I would, almost, call this one
"solid pink". (pic.#1)
The other one has not opened fully yet. (picx. #2) The fat bud looks really deep pink.
I took a picture--but will post it again when it fully opens. This one was started as a cutting Dec, 2011 as well.
Gita
The pink CC (above) has now opened all the way.
It is an almost solid, bright pink. The camera shows white highlights--
but i do not see them just looking at it.
Also--the one on the right (still in bud) is slowly opening.
It is going to be red with some white at the base.
Both of these are from cuttings taken in dec. 2011. Decent growth......;o)
Baby steps.....................Baby steps................
Hey you Cactus lovers....how cold are you? My Gosh I am freezing my old butt off these past few days with the wind chill and cold temperatures. Just popped in to say Hi and tell you that I saw a group of new CC lovers struggling along with many questions that our links posted here could answer. I took it upon myself to give them the link to this forum and if you see some strangers here with questions, please answer them or tell them where they can find the answers. I hope you don't mind but they were all in the beginner forum and they looked like they needed some assistance. I love sharing with those who actually care enough to ask.
Think I will watch CNN and have a glass of wine. It must be 5 o'clock somewhere.
I really don't care if it isn't I am cold and tired. I potted over 50 cuttings of the disocactus x hybrid today and I have little prickly things in my hands and I am cranky. I hate that plant but I love the flowers and want to share some with you all if you care to have them (if they grow). We will see. Stay warm and pop in and say hi so I know I am not alone here. Hugs. JB
JB--
An easy way to remove 'little prickly things" from your fingers is to get some duct tape
and plaster it all over your hands in different areas--then peal off slowly.
it will pull many of the prickly things out.
repeat as needed--pulling the tape off in the other direction. Gita
You are amazing Gita. I had gloves on but those little buggers went right thru them. LOL JB
If you wear the latex gloves Dr.'s and Nurses wear--the stickers do not go through
them that easily. I always garden in those--as i want to "FEEL' what i am handling.
They are cheap to buy in boxes of 50 or 100 in Walgreen's. They also come in vinyl.
Sometimes they go on sale-- buy one get one free....
HD sells them...Lowes sells them--almost any Pharmacy sells them.
Use and discard if you have been handling something "icky". Cheaper than regular gloves.
You can get the sturdier, blue ones that are also disposable.
To turn them back right side out once you have pulled them off--blow in them--like a balloon.
POP! All fingers pop back out!
To re-use them, but you have a hard time getting them back on--sprinkle a bit of talcum
powder in the gloves--or on your hands. I get about 3 good on and off sessions. Then I can them.
Now--to protect your upper arms--cut off the foot of old, long socks and use the upper part to pull up over
your arms--ribbed end down around your wrist. When they get dirty--just launder them.
Frugal ole Me! Gita
My LR and DR aka--"The Jungle"......:o)
Wow, look at all those plants - give me a jungle any day!
Teri--
Thar's not all....I have them all over the house--anywhere there is a smidge of light and
a horizontal surface to put something on. Just for YOU---Ta-Dahhhh!
1--Plants in another corner in my DR
2--plants by my bed
3--Plants on a bed in my guest room
4--Plants by my side door--unused....
5--Plants on/under my light set-up
etc...etc......
Those are the kind a wear. I purchase them from a medical supply place wholesale since I only use them once (too much trouble to try and reuse them and they are cheapies that are very thin). Anyhow, I have used them since I bred birds and when I fed the baby birds many times I had to use gloves in order to keep things sanitary. That is when I began using them in the GH also. I hate gardening gloves besides my arthritis in my hands make it difficult to find a pair I can wear and actually get on properly so I can feel what I am doing.
Your house is so beautiful. I wish I could have mine like that, but the room is just not big enough to do that. I have plenty of windows and I would like to have shelves like you have....where did you find them. The ones behind the dining table. They would be perfect for my cuttings to sprout.
Now is the time for all good Holiday Cactus lovers to give your plants a bath, if they are finished blooming, trim them back and take the cuttings for new plants.
Today I bathed all of my cactus that I was able to do in the house. It is too cold to bathe them outside.
Their were only 13 different hybrids that were finished blooming, so those were the only ones that got trimmed. I got new cuttings from Thor Tenna, Malindi, Peaches N Cream, Zygo x Xmas Flame, Naomi,Polka Dancer, Yellow, Twilight Tangerine, White Christmas, Claudia, Naomi, Christmas Fantasy and Fuchsia. If they all make it after planting, I may have to put an extension on the Greenhouse.
I still have the big ones to trim and bathe but they will have to wait until I can take them outside. They are all so big that I need help to do that.
The Orchid Cactus got trimmed and they were all planted a few days ago.
One thing you need to remember is to be sure the cuttings are free of any disease. Cuttings can be disinfected by a five minute dip in diluted bleach (6.5 fluid ounces Clorox per gallon of water) followed by a thorough rinsing in tap water. Cuttings can be stored for up to three months, and the optimum storage conditions area 50 -59 deg. F and 85-95% relative humidity.
Have a good day and have fun. JB
This message was edited Feb 21, 2013 4:25 PM
JB---
Why do CC's need to be bathed???? Do you do that because you will be taking cuttings?
What do you bathe them in?
Do you think I could take some cuttings from the longer stems of the 6 CC's you sent me?
Still wondering if they may bloom in March--or so.
The little shelves on my DR windows are so vintage. I think I got them ages ago
from one of those, now extinct, catalogs--like Lillian Vernon.
They are white wire--and fold up flat when not hung on the window sash.
1--Here is a close look. See the screw they are hanging from on the middle sash?
They are very handy--just that they are so close to the glass which is very cold in the winter.
I try to keep my CC's on it--but there are a few AV's also.
You are the second person who has asked where i got them. Speedie wanted to know too.
Trying to sow some seeds today. Not getting too much done. Did laundry---called my Insurance--
sitting on hold for 20 minutes! Had something to eat...etc....
2--The shelf I have all along the LR window I put up myself. It goes the full length of all 3 windows.
It is a board I painted white and put it on some pretty supports. Also very cold there for plants.
Oh well--they all seem to be OK--just nothing much is blooming. No Streps--and no AV's!
Gita
Gita, you are the house plant goddess. I got a chuckle out of the creativeness of using the guest room bed LOL.
Gita, I wash all my houseplants including the CC because they need to breathe too and the house dust, which I have more than you do because of the birds and dog and being on a farm with the windows open, etc.
In the winter months, early spring when it is too cold to take them on the deck, I merely put mine in the sink (Not submerged in water) just holding them in the pot sideways and spray from the bottom up under and on the top of their leaves. It also gives you an opportunity to see if the mealy bug are showing up. I found none yesterday...Yahoo.!
Many people do not bother to do that, but I have always done it since if you think about it, mother nature rains on plants and washes them off when they are outside, so I am sure the plants inside need a bathe too. The plants in the Greenhouse get washed off when they get watered not misted.
I would not be cutting the new plants too soon if you want them to bloom. Give them an opportunity to grow a bit because you only want to take mature segments for cuttings or they will not grow as well.
Thanks for the shelf info. I need to start looking online for something like that for my new babies. You need to send me a list of the ones I sent you one of these days, or at least tell me the ones I have mentioned I cut and if you do not have any of them, let me know and I will send you whatever you do not have.
Off to chiropractor. be back later if I forgot anything, let me know. JB
JB--
You sent me:
--Zygo Yantra
--Zygo White Christmas
--Orange Christmas cactus (Thanksgiving C,--not Christmas)..
--Peaches and Cream
--Twilight Tangerine
--Yellow Zygo.
Can't wait to see them bloom!
And--if you send me more--you can just send me rooted cuttings. No need to
send potted plants...even though that is nice to get ...
Gita
Just finished planting 87 new cuttings of all species of Holiday Cactus. That is all there is now. I still have 6 more plants to cut but they are still blooming. If they all grow it will be a miracle because of this crazy weather and humidity. If the sun would come out and stay it would be easier. As it is, it is too cold to open the vents when the sun is out with this very cold wind. Sorry, I will stop moaning now.
I also started three little AV leaves from a plant my daughter gave me, using the method by Jill Nicolaus African Violets 101. I started one in each type medium she said people have luck with. Also have them in a closed plastic container like a little greenhouse with holes in it. Now we will see. I can only pray.
I am tired and it is time to feed my inside flock and Charle my darling Cavilier King Charles Spaniel who is hovering for something to eat also. And, it is 5 o'clock somewhere and wine time. Hugs to all JB
JB--
Here is my new bloomer. This is one of the "stolen" babies from 2 years ago.
How would you describe this color?
I would say---Soft to medium pink over a white base...How about YOU?
Here are some pictures. From bud to bloom.......Do you have one like this????
**The last picture id of a different CC. The usual fuchsia and white that bloomed earlier.
This also on a 2yr. old "baby"....Looks like just ONE bloom per plant
...
JB--I am LABELING them what color they are--so you won't have to fuss with me---
Gita
Next evening (today)....
Here is the bloom fully open.
Took a pic from the side and also from the top (the "back" of it).
Wonder if it has a name??? Wanna give it one?????
When this stem is done blooming--I can break off a couple sections
and send it to you....
G.
Gita that is just beautiful. I would be honored to have it. I wish we knew the name. Which brings me to another issue.
You would think over the years I have been doing this I would have learned the different floral symmetries. Well, I have not and still have to think about it. Why I bring it up is that when I go to the Cactusguide.com for help, those guys know just about all there is to know but they use terms such as radially symmetric and bilaterally symmetric when they speak of the blooms on the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cactus.
I have one plant I call Petra's Pink that I was sure was a genuine Christmas cactus as in Schlumbergera x buckleyi .
Then I thought I may have had a russelliana because of the stem....and many russelliana are sold by professionals that are really buckleyi. Anyhow, the ultimate key is that the flowers will be radially symmetrical opposed to the bilateral symmetry of S. truncata (thanksgiving cactus and sold everywhere as Christmas Cactus. When the flower opens fully, according to the CCG the pollen and stamine should have a pink-magenta colour if it is a S. russelliana.
Here is a picture of a Petra's Pink and I am still not sure what to call it other than Petra's Pink. For sure it is a HYBRID. Of course I could say it is anything I want and no one would be the wiser, but without knowing for sure, I can not make myself do that. This is what makes this propagation so much fun. Sometimes very frustrating but more fun than anything . And, we keep on learning every day.
When I saw Gita's pink it reminded me of my dilema trying to ID this pink but her pink is a definite S.truncata because the stems are all pointed. The thing to try and do is find out which Cultivar it is.
BTW, I do know the difference between radially and bilaterally but to look at a Christmas Cactus and decide which it is to me, that is what is confusing. You think of roses, magnolias, etc. that have petals identical in design as being radially symmetric.
Flowers of orchids, and most gesneraids are bilaterally symmetric which means that for every part on the left hand side of the flower, there is a matching part on the right hand side.
I am really too old for all this knowledge to sink in at one time. LOL I should have been doing this when I was in school. LOL
This message was edited Mar 11, 2013 11:11 AM
People are bilaterally symmetrical. Cut em down the middle and one half mirrors the other.
Radial tires on a car are radially symmetrical. Everything comes out from the middle the same way alla round.
Hope that helps- but of course I'm fine with not getting upset about it all too. Just recently learned myself about the different kind of symmetry, from your posting links to resources.
Oh Sally, that made my day. Off to the outside and hopefully see some sun shining. Later. ♥
JB---
I cannot stop taking close-ups of the pink blooming CC. It just seems so perfect!
Like porcelain.....
Took 2 more to shoe you. Now it is wilting .....going--going--gone. No other buds on it.
Tell me the best time I can pinch it back? I can remove about 2 nice segment pieces for you.
And--then send those to you.
You know--I still have quite a few of these 2-year old CC's that have not bloomed at all yet.
Is there something I can do to get them to bloom? I do not fertilize a lot--but enough--as it is winter.
Just some AV fertilizer drops...maybe a drop of "Superthrive" in the 1/2 gallon jug of water...
Maybe sometimes a drop or two of "Bio Weed Seaweed" fertilizer I got from "Planet Natural"
about 2 years ago. SO! I bit of this and that.....Most of them look pretty healthy.
I am always leery to feed any plants too much--as it is still winter...maybe they are all "resting" ?
OK,, bed time soon. Kind of messed up with the clock changing....
Here's the latest 2 pictures i took of my "Pink Porcelain Doll".....Hey! Maybe i should cal it that!!!....:o)
The second picture looks like it would break if you touched it--SOOO pristine!
Gita
Gita, blooming has so much to do with each plants reactions to light. Do you remember back when we started this thread someone ask about how can we get our CC to bloom. Didn't write out something and we kept it on file? I know I have it somewhere in my files but I just will have to look. Coleup was keeping all those links and info. Where are they filed? Have some things to do so I must be going.
I will look for that info and let you know. JB
JB--
All you have to do is go back to part #5 or Part #4. of this Thread.
I know she listed all your previous posted links all in one place.
The Threads are all linked at the top and bottom. "We came from here"---
or "Here is the link to a new Thread..as this was getting too long...."...
Here you go! it is near the top of this one......
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1232158/
You are welcome!!!! Gita
Here are some useful links and info on Holiday Cactus
Our Holiday Cactus Forum Continues to grow. Below are links to our first 4 threads.
Part 1
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1146809/#new
Part 2
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1150081/#new
Part 3
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1227023/#top
Part 4
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1232158/#new
Part 5
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1243875/
Part 6
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1284057/
_______________________________________________________________________________
What is a Holiday Cactus?
There are three main types of Holiday cactus: Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. All are called Holiday Cacti but each is slightly different in its parentage, form, flower, bloom time and cultural requirements. Schlumbergera and Zygocactus are one and the same. Breeders from Australia and Canada call them Zygocactus. In the threads here we also call them "schlums", "zygos" or just "cc "s . We also chat about their close relatives, epiphyllums or "epis" for short and other houseplants we love and propagate as for most of us "cc"s are houseplants that spend the summer outdoors.
Identification:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3472/
"Recognition and Culture of the Holiday Cacti" by Paul Brunelle
http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html
"Will the Real CC Please Stand Up?"
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/392/
comparison of leaves
http://cactusepiphytes.pagesperso-orange.fr/z_page_les_cactu...
zygo or schlumbergera?
--http://davesgarden.com/guides/terms/go/2368/
http://happyhobbyhabit.blogspot.com/2010/01/schlumbergera-se...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlumbergera
Books:
-Zygocactus (Schlumbergera) A Comprehensive and Practical Guide by Mark Cobia
-http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cacti-Schlumbergera-Succulent-Research/dp/0951723472/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325856888&sr=8-1
--Christmas Cactus - The Genus Schlumbergera And Its Hybrids by A. J. S. McMillan and J. F. Horobin. http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cacti-Schlumbergera-Succulen...
-Epiphyllum and Epiphyllum 2 by Frank Supplie
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&...
--Easter Cactus http://cactus-epiphytes.eu/z_page_les_cactus_de_paques_1.htm
Care/Growing of Thanksgiving/Christmas Cactus
http://mattslandscape.com/schlumbergera_growing/
Care/Growing of Easter Cactus
http://mattslandscape.com/rhipsalidopsis_info/
http://www.cactuscollection.com/articles/rhipsalidopsis.html
Articles on CC:
http://cactiguide.com/growcacti/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/381/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3472/
http://allthingsplants.com/articles/view/SongofJoy/177/All-a...
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1988-12-10/business/0090...
http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2010/08/teas...
Getting CC to bloom:
http:// http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/Indoor/how-to-make-a-christm...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlumbergera
http://happyhobbyhabit.blogspot.com/2010/01/schlumbergera-se...
http://www.schlumbergera.org/index.php?cid=81
http://www.rainyside.com/archives/BreedingXmasCactus.html
Pruning and repotting:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/799211/
Propagation
Growing from seed:
http://happyhobbyhabit.blogspot.com/2010/01/schlumbergera-se...
http://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/2649/
can-i-make-my-schlumbergera-truncata-thanksgiving-cactus-produce-seeds.
Helpful Sites
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/contents.htm
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/houseplnts/hpcnt...
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/houseplnts/xmasc...
Commercial Production:
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/Hcactus.htm
http://extension.umass.edu/floriculture/fact-sheets/commerci...
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foliage/folnotes/holiday.htm
Societies:
The Cactus and Succulent Society of America http://www.cssainc.org/index.php?Itemid=212&id=213&option=co...
Sources of plants:
http://www.mattslandscape.com/schlumbergera/
video:
http://www.stereo.org.ua/2010/schlumbergera-flower-explodes/
http://mattslandscape.com/schlumbergera_growing/
This message was edited Mar 19, 2013 11:21 AM
This message was edited Oct 28, 2015 8:20 PM
This message was edited Oct 28, 2015 8:25 PM
Wow....all you gotta do is ask. Now, Gita, is the information you wanted in any of these threads or do you want more? Well, you are going to get more. I think this is about as good as it gets.
This is from the commercial guide on Production of Holiday Cacti. The entire guide is printable if any of you want it. This is just how they get the plants to bloom when they want them to.
I keep my stock plants at 70 deg. and some are still blooming and some are budding. I have no problem with darkness because I live alone and go to bed early so they have plenty of darkness when they need it. I hope this explains it in more detail than I could.
Controlled Flowering
Holiday cactus can be scheduled to flower year-round flowering by using controlled flowering. This method requires photoperiod control and maintenance ofgreenhouse temperatures between 60º and 75º F (preferably between 65º and 70º F). During naturally LD (early April to early September in the northern U.S.), flowering can be induced by reducing the hours of daylight to 8 or 9 hours daily (= 16 or 15 hours of continuous darkness, respectively). It is important to maintain SD conditions on a daily basis for at least 3 weeks. Growers should take proper precautions to prevent high temperatures under black cloth; poor and/or uneven budset may occur if the temperature exceeds 75º F during SD. Plants induced to flower at about 65º F nights can be sold with tight buds about 7 weeks after starting SD; the first flowers will open about 8 weeks after starting SD.
Delaying Flowering with Long Days
Many cultivars of holiday cactus tend to flower too early for Christmas sales when grown under natural photoperiods (Table 1). Flowering can be delayed by maintaining plants under LD starting from the first week of September. Night-break lighting with incandescent lamps (about 5-10 footcandles at top of plants from 10 pm to 2 am) will prevent flowering under natural SD. Temperatures must be maintained above 60º and preferably about 65 for LD to be effective. Day-extension lighting (sunset until about 10 pm) will also keep plants vegetative, but night-break lighting is more cost-effective.
Note: Growers considering producing holiday cactus adjacent to poinsettias should be aware that poinsettias require SD for flowering and normal bract coloration, and extraneous light from incandescent lamps may interfere with both processes. Therefore, lighting holiday cactus under black cloth may be required to prevent delayed flowering and/or poor color development of poinsettias.
Irrigation during Flower Induction
Although some growers withhold water from plants in early fall to induce flower bud formation, research has not supported this practice. Water stress during flower induction has been shown to reduce bud set. Plants should not be allowed to shrivel or be overwatered during flower induction treatments.
First tiny buds showing on my Easter Cactus.
THAT IS EXCITING SALLY!
Had to go and look at all mine....No buds yet on any of them........:o(
I have 2 bigger pots (doesn't mean the plants are big!) and 8-- 4" clay pots of "offspring" growing.
The "offspring" all came from the Mama bigger pot. No wonder she is lagging behind!
Her arms were all "amputated"....
Last year--the Mama Easter Cactus started blooming, sparsely, while still indoors.
After i took all my plants outside--it bloomed again--much better--in June, I think.
Is yours one of my babies???? Please post a picture when it is in full bloom.
Had to go and look at all mine....No buds yet on any of them........:o(
I have 2 bigger pots (doesn't mean the plants are big!) and 8-- 4" clay pots of "offspring" growing.
The "offspring" all came from the Mama bigger pot. No wonder she is lagging behind!
Her arms were all "amputated"....
Last year--the Mama Easter Cactus started blooming, sparsely, while still indoors.
After i took all my plants outside--it bloomed again--much better--in June, I think.
The "leaves" really plumped up when i took it outside. It was so-so while inside.
Is yours one of my babies???? Please post a picture when it is in full bloom.
I always like to see how mu babies re doing.
G.
Yes Gita one of your babies. And that is the exact picture you gave me with it. THe buds are just tiny tiny nibs. It lives on my laundry room shelf, where winter is bright and cool. Then it will summer outside in the shade.
I have a baby as well! No buds for me, yet.