Summer secrets for vibrant winter blooms of the Christmas cactus

Although mainly associated with winter scenery, Christmas cactus requires tender care all year round. The months preceding its blooming—August and September—are especially important. The plant gathers the strength and nutrients necessary to produce lush flowers during the holiday season.

Proper fertilization during this time can significantly affect the intensity and duration of the Christmas cactus' blooming. Contrary to appearances, this unassuming plant has specific requirements, and fulfilling them will result in a true explosion of colours in winter. Find out how to take care of Christmas cactus in the summer so that it becomes a true home decoration in winter.

Late summer is the ideal time to start intensive feeding of Christmas cactus. In August and September, you can reduce watering by providing the plant with the proper nutrients. A proven method is to use tomato fertilizer, which is rich in components that stimulate blooming. However, remember to use it sparingly—no more than once a week.

Natural fertilization methods are also worth considering. An excellent solution is a homemade banana peel fertilizer, which provides the plant with valuable nitrogen and potassium. Preparing such a mixture is simple: just soak the peels in warm water, let it sit for a day in a cool, dark place, and then dilute with water in a 1:1 ratio. This natural fertilizer should be used once every three weeks, up until the end of blooming.

It is worthwhile to follow a specific care schedule to provide Christmas cactus with optimal conditions for winter blooming. After intensive fertilization in August and September, the frequency of watering and fertilization gradually reduces with the arrival of autumn. This signals the plant that it is time to prepare for blooming.

In winter, when Christmas cactus amazes us with its flowers, reduce care to a minimum, only ensuring moderate watering. After blooming ends, stop fertilization altogether, giving the plant time to regenerate. Start the care cycle anew in early spring, gently resuming fertilization to prepare Christmas cactus for another season of lush blooming.