Description of the plant
Schlumbergera is native to South America. The flower belongs to the cactus family, despite the absence of the usual spines. In the wild, zygocactus is located on tree branches; it is accustomed to a hot and humid climate. At the same time, the Decembrist does not parasitize, feeding on the sap of the trees on which it grows. It obtains nutrients and moisture from precipitation and dust.
Decembrist is a subshrub whose long vines consist of small rounded or jagged segments up to 6 cm in length. The plant blooms with multi-tiered oblong-shaped flowers. In the wild, Decembrist inflorescences are red or white. But through the efforts of breeders, other color variations and shapes of the plant’s petals were developed.
The root system of zygocactus cannot be called powerful, but it is notable for its “searching” roots, which contribute to the amazing survival of the species. Thanks to its memorable external characteristics, the Decembrist quickly gained popularity among lovers of original plants.
Features of care
Despite the fact that the flower belongs to the cactus family, the technique for maintaining it is different and more similar to deciduous species of house plants. In nature, Decembrist grows on the trunk of a tropical tree, the shady crown of which hides the zygocactus from the scorching sun. In approximately the same conditions, a flower needs an apartment.
For the successful development and flowering of the Decembrist, it should be provided with suitable temperature conditions and lighting. Nevertheless, caring for the plant is not difficult. You just need to remember a few rules.
Lighting
Zygocactus needs a sufficient amount of light, but not bright and diffused. Direct sunlight can damage the delicate leaves of the flower. In spring and summer, when the sun is especially active, the Decembrist should be artificially shaded.
During flowering, zygocactus is especially sensitive to light. The wayward plant does not like when its position relative to the sun changes abruptly. Experienced flower growers advise moving the Decembrist plant as little as possible. Otherwise, he may react by dropping the buds ahead of time. Often the same reaction can be observed if you touch the flowers with your fingers.
How to transplant Decembrist at home
The purpose of any replanting is to renew the soil to make room for the growing root system and saturate it with nutrients.
To transplant a zygocactus, it is important to know several nuances:
- The first transplant should be done after purchasing the plant in the store. In the future, this procedure is carried out depending on the age of the flower. Young shoots should be replanted every year, adults - every three years, and large and old bushes need to be replanted once every five years.
- You should not violate the frequency, as frequent replanting can lead to weakening of the root system and falling leaves.
- For the procedure you need to use slightly acidic soil and a wide flowerpot.
- After the transplant is completed, you cannot place the flower pot on the window on the South or West side. The plant is too weak and can get burned from direct sunlight.
However, these are not all the recommendations that are important to consider.
Temperature and humidity
The home Decembrist prefers high air humidity, so it is recommended to regularly spray its foliage with water. But moisture should not get on the sensitive flower buds and soil. The zygocactus will also be grateful for water treatments: the pot with the plant is periodically placed on a tray with wet pebbles.
It is not difficult to recreate a suitable temperature regime for the Decembrist. The optimal temperature for it varies from +18 to +28 °C. Therefore, the zygocactus will feel quite comfortable in the room.
In summer, the plant is kept on the balcony to provide its root system with greater access to oxygen. In winter, it is recommended to reduce the temperature to +15 °C, but not lower than +12 °C. During the flowering period, Decembrist needs +20 °C. The main thing you need to know is that the flower does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Requirements for soil
Since the root system of the Decembrist is quite vulnerable, it does not tolerate stagnation of water in the soil. Therefore, the best choice would be a peat or organic mixture. Light, loose soil has a high throughput capacity, which will protect the plant from some diseases of the root system and reduce the likelihood of damage from pests.
You can prepare the peat mixture yourself or purchase it at a specialty store. To prepare it, you should stock up on coarse sand, peat, charcoal and turf soil. Directly under the soil it is necessary to make a drainage layer that will allow excess moisture not to stagnate. Crushed brick or expanded clay will work as drainage.
When preparing the soil with your own hands, you should not forget about the need to sterilize it. For this purpose, the mixture can be placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours or steamed in the oven at 200 ° C for 20 minutes.
The only thing the Decembrist will not like in the soil is clay. Therefore, under no circumstances should you add it or loam to the soil for zygocactus. The flower needs good soil capacity, not nutrition.
Soil disinfection
How to transplant cyclamen at home correctly
Self-prepared soil requires disinfection and sterilization. For disinfection, crushed coal is added to the soil. There are two ways to sterilize soil:
- heating in the oven at 200 degrees for half an hour;
- cooling in the freezer for 24 hours.
Preparing for transplant
The pot and soil have been purchased, all that remains is to prepare the flower itself for replanting. First of all, the Decembrist needs to be put in order: manually remove excess leaf segments to give the plant a more attractive appearance. Removing excess segments will make it possible to form a lush bush, which in the future will delight with abundant flowering. After this procedure, the “Christmas” cactus should be thoroughly wiped with a small brush and rinsed under running warm water.
It is advisable to disinfect the place where the Decembrist grows in order to destroy pests and prevent possible diseases.
Now everything is ready to transplant the flower!
When does a Decembrist need a transplant?
There are two situations when it is necessary to replant Decembrist. The first is immediately after its purchase. Most often, the purchased plant is found in soil unsuitable for continuous development. Therefore, after purchasing a zygocactus, it is necessary to prepare the correct soil mixture. Otherwise, the plant may gradually become depleted and eventually die.
The second situation, when it is necessary to replant Decembrist, occurs when the flower has completely mastered the pot in which it grows. You can notice this by the plant’s root system sticking out of the drainage holes. Now he will need a new larger container.
How to plant a Decembrist shoot
Before planting the shoot, you need to carry out some manipulations:
- Option one. You can place the cuttings in a container with water, preferably warm. The shoot should not be all in water, but half. After a week, maximum 2, the first roots will begin to form, now the shoot is ready for transplanting into solid soil.
- Option two. To begin with, the cuttings are kept in water for three days and then planted in a special substrate. This will help the shoot take root. The top of the cutting is covered with a jar; it can be replaced with a bag or a special bag. Every day the jar should be raised for a couple of hours to ventilate. When the Decembrist releases the roots, the polyethylene or jar is removed. New stems will help you understand that the root system has formed.
Now the plant is ready to be transplanted into a flowerpot. Everything is done in accordance with the instructions for adult Decembrists. You can place several shoots in one pot at the same time.
Let's watch a video about transplanting shoots and propagating Decembrist:
Choosing the right pot
Zygocactus is a favorite of gardeners. It is very important to know when to replant Decembrist at home. And a correctly selected pot guarantees half the success.
The root system of the plant is located very close to the soil surface. Therefore, a wide and shallow container is quite suitable for him. In a pot that is too large, the Decembrist tends to grow roots until he can fill all the free space with them. This trend excludes flowering in the near future.
An important condition for the growth of zygocactus are drainage holes in the pot. They help to avoid excessive soil moisture and are used for immersion irrigation.
Which pot to transplant into?
The intensity of flowering depends on the size of the container used for planting Decembrist. In a large pot, the plant will actively develop, growing roots and green mass, but will not bloom until it has taken over the entire free area. A Decembrist whose transplant was not carried out according to the rules may die as a result of overflow.
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Attention! Pots with a diameter of no more than 10 cm are suitable for planting young Schlumbergera. They should not be deep, but wide, because the root system extends on the surface.
When choosing a pot, pay attention to the material it is made of. If Schlumbergera is placed on a windowsill, a clay container will not be suitable for planting. This is due to the fact that under the influence of a flow of cool air, the walls of the dish will cool and the roots will freeze. The bottom of the pot used for planting Decembrist must have drainage holes through which liquid will be removed after watering.
Replanting after purchase
Inexperienced owners may be concerned about the question of how and when to replant Decembrist after purchase. The procedure is carried out as soon as possible, and during the replanting process the old peat is completely removed:
- The plant should be carefully removed from the shipping container.
- Its root system is completely cleared of peat.
- If the old primer is difficult to remove, you can use a toothbrush. The roots of the plant must be carefully combed towards their ends.
After inspection for the presence of pests, the zygocactus is ready for planting in a pre-prepared soil mixture. Also, the new plant needs to be kept in quarantine for a couple of weeks before being placed next to other flowers.
Rules for planned transplantation
When is the best time to replant a Decembrist flower? Young plants up to 3 years old need annual replanting. Older zygocacti are replanted only once every 4 years. And if necessary, you can update the top part of the soil mixture.
For a successful result, you should follow the recommendations and step-by-step instructions:
- The pot into which the Decembrist is planned to be transplanted should be slightly larger than the previous one. Its width must exceed its height.
- At the bottom of the container you need to place a drainage layer 2 cm high and a little soil mixture.
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot, after which, with gentle movements, its roots are freed from excess soil.
- Holding it with your hands, the flower is transferred to a new container, placing it in the center on the soil.
- While continuing to support the zygocactus with your hand, the soil mixture is sprinkled around the root system.
When you have finished replanting the Decembrist, you should not try to compact the soil. It will partially settle on its own after the first watering. Then you will need to add some more soil.
How often to replant
Experienced flower growers recommend replanting young bushes annually, and if the Decembrist quickly fills the earthen ball - 2 times a year. This recommendation is due to the fact that during the period of intensive growth, zygocactus greatly depletes the soil. This is due to intensive growth and development. If replanting is carried out once every 6 months, there is no need to use fertilizers. Old plants, more than 3 years old, are recommended to be replanted once every 2-3 years; as necessary, it is worth updating the top layer of soil.
Plant care in winter
Winter is a rather important period for this plant. It is in winter that the fascinating flowering of zygocactus occurs. Beginning flower growers are interested in when they can replant Decembrist in winter. It is after flowering that the most opportune moment comes. Usually this is the end of February. Transplantation is acceptable until November.
Even in the fall, the flower begins to form buds. Watering during this period is reduced to a minimum. With the onset of winter, the Decembrist is transferred to a room with an air temperature of about +15 °C. When flowering begins, it will require slightly warmer conditions - up to +20 ° C. While the plant is blooming, it should not be touched or moved. Otherwise, you can provoke the loss of buds.
The nuances of subsequent flower care
The Decembrist will experience stress for about two weeks after the procedure. Therefore, caring for the plant during this period must be approached very responsibly. Schlumbergera should not be watered for three to four days after transplantation. It is required to spray it frequently and generously. Then gradually resume watering.
When the Decembrist takes root, pinch each shoot in order to lay additional branches (read about whether it is possible to prune the Decembrist and how to do it at home). This promotes the formation of a large number of buds.
Transplanting Schlumbergera is not particularly difficult. The main thing is to follow the basic rules of caring for the Decembrist and handle the plant with care. It is extremely important to determine the appropriate time for the procedure. The transplant should not conflict with the life cycle of the zygocactus. The most favorable period for the event is the beginning of spring, after the end of flowering.
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Watering after replanting
After finishing planting the plant, it is given a couple of days to recover. Watering is carried out only on the third day after the procedure. When a Decembrist flower is replanted, minor damage to the root system is possible.
Use a small amount of warm water for irrigation. It is also recommended to use warm water for spraying in the first couple of weeks. The watering schedule depends on the season. In summer, once a week is enough. However, if the temperature exceeds 35 °C, then water the plant a little less often, but significantly increase the frequency of spraying.
Winter watering is done extremely carefully. Provided the room in which the Decembrist is located is warm, a summer watering regime is used. If the temperature drops below +17 °C, then the frequency of procedures is reduced to avoid rotting.
Let's get to work: transplanting the Decembrist
When planning to plant Decembrist at home, a beginner will have to collect special information and find out the nuances, and in addition, prepare everything necessary for work. This amazing cactus is so unpretentious and hardy that even completely inexperienced amateur gardeners are unlikely to make fatal mistakes, so there is no need to worry too much. The main thing is to do everything clearly and according to the suggested tips; otherwise, the flower will take care of itself, because you won’t even have to water it too often.
Transportation, pots and mode
First of all, many are interested in what to do with Decembrist immediately after purchase, since in the store it grows in an unreliable shipping container. These are pots made of thin plastic, very fragile and rarely beautiful. Regardless of the time of year, weather and other factors, it is better to immediately transplant the zygocactus from such a container, otherwise it may be uncomfortable, because often there is not even any soil there, just a layer of airy peat, and even that is not too dense. An excellent solution would be pots made from a wide variety of materials.
- Pure clay or ceramics.
- Glass.
- Wooden small boxes.
- Plastic flowerpots specially designed for growing flowers.
- Metal pallets can be used, but with extreme caution. If not properly cared for, they can become corroded, which can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant. Moreover, often even a transplant does not help in the end.
Young plants should definitely be replanted annually, so they will feel better, begin to grow a crown and throw out more and more flowers. However, as you age, it is better to stop at the transplant regimen once every two to three years. It is generally better not to touch old plants, but if you wish, you can cut shoots from it and grow a new young cactus.
Perfect time
To figure out when you can replant a Decembrist flower, you need to find out what its life cycle is. The flowering period begins approximately with the beginning of winter, which is why it received the popular name Christmas tree. This period lasts quite a long time, at least two months. It is clear that you should not manipulate the plant at this time, since it will definitely experience stress and may get sick and even die.
Plant pruning
Proper care, watering and the time when Decembrist is replanted can be considered the most important recommendations for the growth and development of this wonderful flower. But don’t forget about pruning, which is considered an equally important procedure.
It is produced at the beginning of summer, because it is during this period that the phase of active growth of stems begins. The technology is simple: you should get rid of shoots that look ugly or grow in the wrong direction.
Experienced flower growers advise avoiding the use of scissors. The procedure can be carried out manually, tearing off the shoots at the base with a “twisting” motion. Such care will help make Decembrist even more attractive and have a positive effect on flowering.
When to replant
Replanting the Decembrist should take place in the spring, after the plant has flowered. It is at this moment that cultural growth is activated. There is a noticeable increase in leaf mass. The plant will tolerate transplantation without any problems and will be able to continue to grow and develop. The summer period is enough for full adaptation and preparation for flowering next season.
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Attention! If problems with the root system are observed, proceed with caution and use root formers such as the drug Kornevin.
Replanting the Christmas cactus in the fall is not recommended. The crop will spend all its energy recovering from traumatic manipulation and will not form buds in winter (flowering may be absent or sparse). In addition, an initially weakened Schlumbergera may die.
Flower propagation
Zygocactus is a fairly hardy plant, the propagation of which is not particularly difficult. The easiest way to do this is vegetatively. The most suitable time is the beginning of May or the period immediately after the end of flowering. Cuttings are considered an effective procedure.
Cuttings are torn from the Decembrist in the same way that was used for pruning. The required shoot length is 3-4 links. The twisted cuttings need to be dried for several hours, after which they can be planted in moist soil. Having finished planting, the flowers should be covered, for which transparent plastic cups are ideal.
Little Decembrists need shade, so they need to be placed in a well-ventilated place protected from sunlight. Periodically, the soil with seedlings should be moistened. The time when it is permissible to transplant a Decembrist seedling into permanent soil comes within a month. With proper care, young plants bloom in their second year.
