SchlumbergeraCactus family Homeland -humid forests of South America. With age, the Decembrists experience corking of the trunk - it seems to become woody, and the plants do not branch well. To prevent the plant from looking one-sided - the pot is periodically turned in different directions towards the light source. Just do not disturb the Decembrists during budding and flowering. The density of the crown is created by pinching and pruning - shorten the non-branching shoots. Most often, buds appear on young shoots, so frequent pruning of the Decembrist promotes more abundant flowering. Truncated Schlumbergera Schlumbergera truncatus has sharp teeth along the edge of the leaf-like segments of the stems, and the flowers are bilaterally symmetrical with a beveled flower tube, petals bent back, about 2.5 cm in diameter. The flower shades are very different - from white and soft pink to lilac and violet. Schlumbergera bucklei has small light green segments with weak protrusions along the edges. It blooms with lilac-pink flowers, radically symmetrical, usually blooms from the end of October.
Care Tips
Forest cactusTemperature: °C.From September to mid-November, a rest period should be provided at a temperature of 15-16°C, minimum 12°C. With the formation of buds and flowering (from November to the end of January), move to a warmer place - about 18-20°C. When the Schlumbergera has finished flowering, move it again to a cool place at 15-16°C. Lighting: A bright place, light partial shade, but shading from direct sunlight is required. Grows well on a north-facing window. Watering: From the appearance of buds until the end of flowering, water generously - the soil should be moist all the time. Then the Decembrist is transplanted and the soil is kept moderately moist until about April. From April to September, water as the soil dries out. By September, watering is reduced and for about two months it is kept in very cool and dry conditions. Fertilizer: Feed three weeks after transplantation (after flowering ends) with a special complex fertilizer for cacti, every two weeks until September. Air humidity: Regular spraying and occasional warm showers are good for Schlumbergera. Transplantation: Transplant the Decembrist after flowering - at the end of February. The planting container is spacious and not deep. Soil - 1 part turf, 1 part leaf, 1 part peat soil, 1 part sand and brick chips. Good drainage is a must. You can use a purchased soil mixture for cacti. Reproduction: Cuttings with 2-3 segments. Usually, Decembrist cuttings take root easily at any time of the year. After cutting, the cuttings are dried a little and placed, not deepening, on damp soil. You can cover it with a glass jar on top, remembering to ventilate it periodically.
