When does Schlumbergera start to grow flower buds (What should you pay attention to when Schlumbergera starts to grow flower buds)

Schlumbergera is an epiphytic succulent plant belonging to the Cactaceae family and the Schlumbergera genus. It is also called Schlumbergera lily, crab orchid, and Christmas cactus .

Its natural flowering period generally starts around November and lasts until around February or March in spring, so October is indeed a critical period for Christmas cactus to nurture flower buds.

   Since it is a short-day plant, its flowering period can be adjusted by adjusting the light just like Kalanchoe. Therefore, the Christmas cactus cultivated in greenhouses during the National Day holiday basically already has flower buds when it is put on the market.

At the same time, due to certain differences in climatic conditions and ambient temperature in different places, the blooming period of Christmas cactus will also be slightly earlier or later, but it basically blooms between October and March.

October is a critical period for Christmas cactus to breed flower buds. Doing the following can improve the quality of flowering:

① Provide a suitable breeding environment:

Christmas cactus is native to Brazil and is a tropical plant. It prefers semi-shaded or diffuse light environment with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation. It requires a loose and fertile cultivation medium with good drainage and air permeability.

It is not resistant to severe cold, and its suitable growth temperature is between 15-30℃. The wintering temperature should not be lower than 10℃ for a long time, otherwise the leaves will easily turn red or even the flower buds will fall off.

Maintaining sufficient light and a relatively stable ambient temperature of around 20°C during the bud formation period is conducive to the smooth growth of more flower buds.

② Maintain sufficient light and appropriate water:

Christmas cactus is a short-day plant. Placing it in an environment with sufficient scattered sunlight in autumn will help it bloom earlier and reduce flower bud shedding.

   Most succulent plants can tolerate drought and avoid waterlogging. The same is true for potted Christmas cactus. Although autumn is a period of vigorous growth, watering should not be too frequent to avoid root rot and bud falling due to water accumulation. Just water it in time when the soil in the pot is basically dry.

③ Frequent application of thin fertilizer can improve flowering quality:

Christmas cactus has the characteristic of dormancy in summer. Autumn is both a recovery period and a bud formation period. In addition, its root system is underdeveloped, so it is a potted plant that is more prone to aging.

In addition to promptly pruning dead flowers after flowering in spring, shortening branches appropriately and changing pots and soil, applying thin fertilizers when the weather cools in autumn can also promote growth and help restore plump and green branches and leaves.

Especially during September to November, water-soluble fertilizer with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be applied twice a month, which is beneficial to promote flower bud differentiation, improve flowering quality, and at the same time improve the plant's disease resistance.