Home»Cactus - Succulents»Christmas Cactus
The Christmas cactus has a talent for causing confusion . A large part of this is the fact that many growers mix up this Schlumbergera with its siblings , the easter cactus and Thanksgiving cactus .
This can conduce to a plant that does n’t bloom when you expect it to .
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But there ’s another yield that can cause a luck of brain - scratch : whenthe leaves of your Christmas cactus turn purple .
Why Are My Christmas Cactus Leaves Turning Purple?
It ’s normal to see a fleck of majestic tincture on a Schlumbergera , but not for it to become the dominant color .
make by improper care , this discoloration is promiscuous to diagnose and therapeutic . Here are the most common reasons :
Improper Watering
Giving your Christmas cactus too much or too little water system is well-off , but it can have serious consequences .
Underwatering can lead to several symptom , with purpurate being a less mutual one .
If you ’ve returned from holiday to find the soil all dry , do n’t stream a gal of water on your plant . tardily add a modest amount of water every day for 2 to 3 days until the grime is moist at the drainage hollow .
Overwatering is far more serious , as the purpling could be a sign of root rot .
Root rot encounter when the plant ’s roots are give away to too much body of water , preventing the root from the right way plunge water and nutrient .
It can also kill the industrial plant if not treated quickly enough .
To forbid lacrimation result , practice the soaking - and - dry method with your Christmas cactus .
This means check the soil every few twenty-four hour period and water only when it ’s ironic ⅓ of the way down the tummy .
Add the water slow and evenly until it ooze from the drainage mess .
Nutrition Or Better Malnutrition
You probably already know that plant need nitrogen , P , and potassium ( the NPK in fertiliser ) , but that ’s not all they need .
tracing minerals such as iron and copper also spiel an important role .
However , Schlumbergeras need a much high Mg content than most plant life . The common symptom of a magnesium want is that theChristmas cactus plantstarts turn purple .
It ’s generally a salutary idea to give yourChristmas cactus a dilute balanced fluid houseplant fertilizerevery other week from April to October , then stop for the wintertime .
To battle a magnesium lack , you may also wish to add a teaspoon of Epsom table salt to the grease .
Just do the SALT during the weeks you do n’t fecundate , and vice versa , so the plant life is n’t overwhelmed .
Overcrowding
As with most plants , Christmas cacti must be repotted every few days to refill the soil and give them room to raise .
When one of these works becomes rootbound , the root can not draw sufficient solid food from the dirt , resulting in malnourishment .
It ’s easy to diagnose this as the case by search for stem poking out of the container ’s drain hole .
You should repot a Christmas cactus every 2 old age in the spring , graduate to one container size orotund as needed .
However , mark that Christmas cacti wish to be a short root word - bound , so do n’t rush to repot out - of - season unless the plant life shows signs of extreme distress .
Too Much Direct Sunlight
A very unwashed cause of purpling , specially in the summer month , is exposing your genus Schlumbergera to too much sun .
As with most houseplant , Schlumbergera is adapt to live on a woods floor , sheltered by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
As a result , you should avoid expose it to direct sunlight , especially at midday ( a little break of the day or evening sun is okay in temperance ) .
Ideally , your industrial plant should be in indirect , bright Christ Within or sink in sunlight , such as behind a rank curtain .
bushel this exceptional problem is as gentle as move the plant to a slimly less cheery spot .
Temperature Issues
wavering in temperature can ferment a Christmas cactus purple , just like it can to people .
Ideally , the plant should be keep in temperature of 70 ° to 80 ° degrees Fahrenheit during the sidereal day and 60 ° to 65 ° degree Fahrenheit at night .
It ’s also best to keep the plant shelter from drafts or direct lines of fire of air conditioners and heaters .
