How to Grow Christmas Cactus from Seed

 

The botanical name of Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii and plant is a perennial plant. Growing Christmas cactus from seed involve providing a perfect environment for the Christmas cactus, which actually involve ensuring the plant receives the right amount of light, maintaining the appropriate temperature, and also managing humidity levels. By creating a favorable and good environment for the Christmas cactus, you will really enjoy the beautiful blooms and the healthy growth of the plant throughout the holiday season and beyond.

 

How Do You Germinate Christmas Cactus?

Christmas cactus seed selection: if you want to grow Christmas cactus from seed the first thing to do is selecting a high-quality seeds. Make sure you look for reputable suppliers or take the Christmas cactus seeds from a mature Christmas cactus plant. The Christmas cactus seeds should be plump and healthy, ready for germination.

Christmas cactus seed germination process: To get started with the germination process, you will actually need a well-draining potting mix. Plant the Christmas cactus seeds in the mix, make sure they are covered lightly. Also maintain a consistent moisture levels and provide warmth to encourage the seed germination. It is very important to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Nurturing the Christmas cactus seedling: As the Christmas cactus seedlings are growing it is very important to provide the seedlings with the care they need to develop into healthy plants. You can consider using a diluted, balanced fertilizer to support the plant growth. Also, as the Christmas cactus plants mature, please be very careful of putting the plant in containers with adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Christmas Cactus Care

Once the Christmas cactus seeds have germinated, it is very important to provide the right growing conditions for the Christmas cacti. The Christmas cactus plants grow well in bright but indirect light and they prefer slightly cooler temperatures. Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering of the plant to prevent root rot. Proper drainage is very important to ensure the plant’s health and to avoid any damage to the roots.

Light requirement

The Christmas cactus plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Placing your Christmas cactus plants near a window where the plant can receive plenty of natural light without direct sunlight is very important. During the fall and winter months, it is imperative to provide your Christmas cactus with twelve to fourteen hours of darkness each night in other to encourage blooming. A sheer curtain can help filter the light and create the ideal environment for your Christmas cactus plants.

Temperature requirement

It is very vital to maintain the appropriate temperature for the well-being of your Christmas cactus plants. The Christmas cactus plants thrive in temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degree Fahrenheit during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night. To avoid stressing the Christmas cactus plant and hindering its blooming, it is best to steer clear of sudden temperature fluctuations. Make sure that your Christmas cactus plant is kept away from drafts and heating vents to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature.

Humidity requirement

Christmas cactus plant actually benefits from moderate humidity levels. To create an optimal environment for your Christmas cactus plant, you can consider using a humidity tray or a room humidifier, most especially during the dry winter when indoor air tends to be drier. Misting the plant with water can also help increase humidity around the Christmas cactus plant.