Indoor flowers Decembrist how to grow. Decembrist flower: how to care for a cactus at home

Known indoor plant Decembrist (Schlumbergera, Rozhdestvennik) belongs to the genus of South American cacti. A nondescript at first glance, the bush won the hearts of many by the fact that it is in winter that it blooms and becomes like bright fireworks. But in order for the plant to grow well and please the eye, you need to know how to care for the Decembrist at home.

Choosing the right place

It is important to choose for a plant appropriate place where it will feel comfortable. When placing, you should consider some rules:

• It is better to place the plant pot on the windowsills located in the houses on the north, west or east sides. From an excess of sunlight, the Decembrist may suffer: damage is done to the final segments, which may die off.
• In summer, the flower lacks oxygen. At this time of the year, it is recommended to take it to a shaded corner on the loggia, terrace or balcony.
• Favorable impact on indoor flower having a shower or spraying.
• During the budding period, the plant is especially sensitive to movement, so it is better not to touch it at this time, do not turn the pot or move the flowering plant from place to place.

Choosing the soil

When preparing the land for planting, you must remember that this is a cactus. IN vivo it grows on the branches of trees, but it is problematic to recreate this at home. Therefore, the flower is planted in special soil for cacti. Such a mixture can be bought ready-made, or you can make it yourself. The manufacturing instructions are simple, we will need:

• peat;
• turf (top layer of soil);
• coarse clean sand.

All these components are taken in equal amounts and thoroughly mixed. If desired, you can add a handful of coals from leafy tree species.

Proper lighting

The Decembrist does not tolerate heat well, but loves good lighting. If you can’t place it on the northern or eastern windows, then you can put the pot in the back of the room, but be sure to provide additional lighting with phytolamps.

The flower can be placed on the southern windows, but in this case, be sure to cover the glass with a curtain or blinds. Remember that direct sunlight must be excluded, as they cause burns and reddening of the shoots.

Temperature regime

The room temperature should be between +18° and +26°. Sudden temperature changes should be avoided. In summer, the flower can be taken out into the street and placed in the shade of trees so that it enjoys the fresh air. But during the day, when it gets too hot, the houseplant needs to be brought indoors.

If there is an air conditioner, the flower can be left indoors, but not under cold air currents.

Watering and care

During the dormant period, watering should be moderate. You need to water the plant if the earth ball is completely dry. As soon as the Decembrist bloomed, the soil must be abundantly moistened. Watch the soil and do not let the soil dry out.

Shoots should be more often wiped from dust, try to arrange a warm shower for the plant. This is necessary not only to eliminate dust and dirt. Decembrist loves very much high humidity air, which means it will be glad to frequent spraying.

top dressing

Schlumberger is suitable for any top dressing intended for cacti. If there are none, then you can use any complex mineral fertilizer, only the dosage should be reduced by 2-3 times.

Transplant conditions

It is possible to transplant an unusual cactus only after flowering ( last days February). mature plant need to be repotted every 5 years. Young Decembrists need this procedure every year.

Because root system the plant has a surface type, the pot must be chosen wide, but low. The container filler should consist of a drainage layer by a third. As soon as you transplant the flower into suitable soil, must be provided necessary care, which was mentioned above.

reproduction

The Decembrist propagates vegetatively, by cuttings. This process begins with unscrewing 2-3 extreme shoots. Then they need to be dried a little, and then planted in moist soil.

To ensure the greenhouse effect, the sprouts need to be covered glass jar, and put the pot in the shade. The room temperature should be between +15° and +20°.

It is best to start transplanting the Decembrist at the end of pruning, since during this period there is material left that can be used for grafting.

Luxurious bloom

Flowers strewn over the green bush of the Decembrist are a colorful sight, which can be clearly seen in numerous photos. To achieve abundant flowering, you should know how to properly prepare a Christmas tree for this period. Observe the following rules:

• Grow the flower in narrow flowerpots.
• If the room is a little cool, then the flowers on the plant will stay longer.
• When the Schlumbergera blooms, in no case should it be subjected to unexpected temperature changes.
• During this period, it is not worth preparing cuttings for propagation. Rest period - guarantee a large number buds.
• IN winter period It is recommended to use an additional light source.
• The optimum temperature is not higher than + 16 °.
• In August, the soil should not be fertilized, and watering should be minimized. Closer to winter, regular care can be resumed, but top dressing should be introduced carefully.

When purchasing a blooming Decembrist, you need to be prepared for the fact that some of the flowers will fall off. Thus, the plant adapts to new conditions. But improperly provided care will lead to various kinds problems.

Diseases and pests

The Decembrist flower is good for everyone, but how to care for this plant at home in order to protect it from diseases? The main enemies of the flower - fungal diseases and some insects. The leaves and flowers of the plant require periodic inspection.

Properly caring for a Decembrist flower so that it blooms sooner is not at all difficult. It is enough to follow the listed rules, and the home cactus will luxuriantly and for a long time delight with its flowering.

Decembrist, or Christmas - unpretentious plant that blooms in winter. It is unusual appearance, thanks to which it is popular with lovers of indoor flowers. Flowering often falls on New Year's Eve. However, with careful care for the Decembrist at home, it can bloom more often.

general information

The real name of the plant is Zygocactus or Schlumbergera. It belongs to forest epiphytic cacti. Their flowering period is December. It is to this that the flower owes its name - "Decembrist". Although it is a cactus, it does not have thorns.

The flower comes from the tropics, where it grows on the trunks or roots of trees. In shape, the plant is a herbaceous bush no higher than 40 cm. Hanging stems consist of segments that are very similar to leaves.

Flowers appear at the ends of shoots and have long stamens. IN natural conditions they are pollinated by insects or small birds like hummingbirds. The natural color of the petals is white or bright red, but other colors are also found: pink, crimson, purple, yellow. All of them are artificially bred by breeders.

The root system of the Decembrist is very weak. With the slightest mistake in care, the flower can get sick and die. On the segments of the stems, you can see small aerial roots, which are called "search". With a lack of moisture in the soil, they are able to absorb it from the air in the required amount, so they can survive in extreme conditions.

Care rules

For the substrate, you need to take these components in equal amounts. You also need to add a little peat and charcoal. This will make the soil lighter, disinfect it. For this, perlite, crushed tree bark, is suitable.

A layer of drainage at least 2 cm thick should be placed on the bottom of the pot. Expanded clay, crushed brick or river pebbles will do. After that, a thin - about 1 cm - layer of sand is placed, and then the main soil.

If there is no possibility or desire to prepare the soil mixture yourself, you can buy it in the store. Ready soil should be marked "for succulents".

Place to grow

In the spring, when daylight hours noticeably increase, and the plant enters the phase active growth, it needs to be additionally fed 1 time per month. Can be used complex fertilizers for cacti and succulents, while the dose should be halved compared to the recommended one.

In summer, top dressing is done once a week. In autumn, the flower does not need additional nutrients Oh.

Temperature regime

The plant feels most comfortable at temperatures from +18 to +25 ° in the summer. During this period, it actively grows and develops, preparing for flowering. At the time of budding, it is advisable to lower the temperature to + 12-16 °, so that the flower gains strength. Sometimes the part of the plant that was closer to the cold window blooms. However, it is not worth lowering the temperature much - the Decembrist may die.

Shelter of roses for the winter middle lane Russia

Pruning and transplant

Trimming the plant and transplanting it is necessary in order to improve the growth and development of the flower. Pruning is carried out in mid-June, and transplantation - when the container becomes cramped for the flower, as well as, if necessary, replacing the soil. These procedures are carried out as follows:

In parallel with pruning, plant propagation is also carried out. After this procedure, there are many cuttings that can be successfully rooted.

Reproduction features

The Decembrist is propagated vegetatively, that is, by cuttings. From the stem you need to take at least two segments, preferably with roots. In order for the cuttings to take root successfully, they must be properly prepared. First, dry them for 1-2 days. During this time, you need to prepare a container with soil. The dried tip of the cutting must be treated with Kornevin and slightly deepened into the substrate. After that, you should water the plant.

You can dig a pot with glass or film, while you need to regularly ventilate the young seedling, preventing it from steaming. It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out, and spray the stalk with water from a spray bottle. The container should be placed in a warm, shaded area until the plant forms a root system.

If the landing is done correctly, this happens within 2-3 weeks. Then you need to rearrange the pot to a permanent place.

Diseases and pests

The design of a manual garden pump sprayer

The flower may be attacked by such insects:

Oyster mushroom: growing process at home

In order to avoid trouble in time, it is necessary to properly grow the Decembrist and regularly examine it for diseases. This will allow in as soon as possible cope with the disease when it appears and save the plant.

Possible problems

In addition to diseases, the Decembrist may have other problems. The most common of them are plant wilting, leaf fall, lack of flowering. To solve them, you need to find and eliminate the cause:

If there are no buds, you need to know how to care for the Decembrist so that it blooms. First of all, you should create optimal conditions for flower growth . You will need to do the following:

• ensure adequate watering;
• normalize lighting;
• transplant if the old pot is cramped;
• feed;
• optimize temperature.

At the beginning of autumn, it is necessary to organize a dormant period for the zygocactus by removing it to a cool room. It is necessary to water to a minimum, without fertilizing. In mid-November, the pot is placed in a warm place and watered abundantly. The main thing in this case is not to overdo it, otherwise the cactus may rot. With proper care, the plant will come to its senses and begin to gain color.

Decembrist care during flowering involves abundant watering, sufficient lighting, optimal temperature and air humidity. If you follow all the rules of cultivation, the Decembrist can grow up to 20 years, delighting the owner with its tropical beauty.

Behind the windows bitter cold, everything is white with snow, trees and bushes are sleeping in snowy attire, ruffled birds are trying to hide from the wind. Winter! It was at this time - in November-January - that the Decembrist blooms. Therefore, he was nicknamed so that in the very cold the life of flower growers blooms bright colors summer. Home care for this truly curious flower is simple.

Where are you from, handsome?

The Decembrist pleases with flowering in the long winter

This perennial luxuriantly flowering plant is grown in our country only indoors - at home or in greenhouses, because its homeland is a tropical subequatorial forest South America. Many names were given to him by our floriculture lovers. For an unusual flowering time for our region, it is called the Decembrist, Christmas, Christmas and forest cactus, barbarian color. Botanists used to call this epiphytic cactus zygocactus, now it is assigned to the genus Schlumberger and officially bears this name.

The plant has an original appearance. Its branching drooping stems consist of separate flat elements. complex shape, similar to the leaves grown to each other. Flower buds form at the ends of the stems. It is interesting that the petals and sepals of the Decembrist flower are the same in color and have such a similar structure that it is almost impossible to distinguish them. Another feature of this cactus is that it does not have thorns.

There are many signs and superstitions that dissuade flowers from establishing a Decembrist. One of the most creepy is that the flower can predict death in the house. Such an event is allegedly planned if the zygocactus that had previously bloomed violently for no apparent reason began to dry, or even died altogether. We live in modern world, so the mysticism can be left outside the threshold: perhaps your flower just got sick!

Differences from ripsalidopsis: table and photo

Blooming ripsalidopsis

The Decembrist is often confused with a very outwardly similar plant, ripsalidopsis. This is also a cactus, but it belongs to a different genus - hatiora. It is also called the Easter egg. However, they differ in many ways. These differences are shown in the table.

The external difference in the shape of the elements of the stem and flowers can be seen in the photos below.

On the left is ripsalidopsis, on the right are two varieties of zygocactus

The flowers of these plants also differ among themselves.

Decembrist on the left and above, ripsalidopsis star on the right

Under natural growing conditions

In nature, there are six types of Christmas trees: truncated, Kautsky, Rousseliana, orssishiana, prickly pear and microsphaerica. Numerous hybrids have been bred in culture. Their flowers are the most different colors and shades: white, yellow, red, pink, crimson, orange, salmon and so on. All of them can be grown at home. They are not very difficult to care for, you just need to follow a series of simple rules. IN good conditions plant life up to 30 years.

Photo gallery of some varieties of Decembrists

Rules for caring for a Decembrist at home

Each plant has periods of active growth, flowering, fruiting, dormancy. Schlumberger is no exception. She will feel most comfortable and reward with abundant flowering if the conditions of detention correspond to the periods natural for her existence:

Those flower growers who do not have the opportunity to strictly follow this scheme can adhere to the following less burdensome rules:

• you can not organize a rest period;
• the temperature in the room should be within 15–25ºС, but without sharp jumps in one direction or another;
• in the room in which the Decembrist is kept, there must be fresh air, but drafts must be excluded;
• enough to support high level humidity, because the plant is tropical and absorbs water with both aerial roots and green shoots;
• spray water should not contain chlorine and lime, if there are no other options, you can use cooled boiled water.

Planting and transplanting zygocactus

Planting a young flower is not difficult, because they for the most part reproduce by fragments of stems of mother plants. Only to create new hybrids flower growers grow a Christmas tree from seeds.

It is especially convenient to do this during the formation of the bush after the end of flowering, when adult plants are not cut off, but the terminal segments of the stems are carefully unscrewed to give the flower a beautiful look.

I leave the resulting cuttings to dry laid out one by one for a period of 1 to 7 days (recommendations on this subject are different for flower growers). After the formation of the callus, they are planted, only slightly buried in the soil, in small pots with fertile soil, covered with a transparent film or a glass jar and placed in a slightly shaded place. The temperature here should be in the range of 15-20ºС.

For successful rooting, cuttings need daily airing and frequent watering. In most cases, this landing method gives a positive result.

Note that the recommended period for the formation of adult bushes, and, accordingly, for planting young plants, falls on February - early March, when severe frosts are still likely. If your young Decembrists are growing up just on the window, follow the weather and, in case of a strong cold snap, take them to a place where they will not suffer from an undesirable temperature jump.

Meet to practical experience such a planting of a zygocactus and you can learn more about the nuances of the process in the video.

Decembrist propagation by cuttings: video

It is better to replant the Decembrist during the period of its active growth, that is, in the spring. Young plants are moved to a new pot annually, grown-up - once every two or three years, and completely adult large bushes - once every five years.

Schlumbergers bought in a store are often in transport containers and in the ground, where they are not always comfortable. Such plants should be transplanted regardless of the season after all the flowers have withered.

For planting the Decembrists, low wide pots are chosen, since their root system grows into top layer soil. However, an overly wide pot will not work either, because in this case the zygocactus will begin to actively grow shoots, grow to the detriment of flowering. Recommend that new vessel was 2–3 cm wider than the one in which the plant was before transplantation.

The soil for planting a Christmas tree should be slightly acidic, air and water should easily penetrate into it. Many flower growers take for transplantation prepared soil for cacti. You can prepare the soil mixture for the Decembrist yourself, mixing in equal proportions turf and leaf soil, coarse sand, peat. It will not be superfluous to add charcoal as a natural antiseptic.

Well, if pieces of expanded clay are present in the soil, broken brick, polystyrene or other drainage material, which is sure to fill the lower third flower pot. Drainage in flower pots is necessary for almost all plants, but this is especially important for the Decembrist, because, like all epiphytes, he does not tolerate stagnant water. The drainage layer will protect the roots of the plant from rotting.

Plant transplantation process: video guide

Schlumbergera care: everything in detail

Like every living organism, Schlumbergera requires appropriate care for its growth, development, and full existence. Let's consider the significant moments of this process.

Watering and feeding

It was already mentioned earlier that the quality of the water used for irrigation and spraying is very important for the Decembrists. It should not contain lime and chlorine. Most often, for this purpose, water is used that has settled for a day or two or filtered. In extreme cases, it may also be cold. boiled water. In any case, it must be room temperature about 16–20ºС.

The mode of watering and fertilizing is different for different stages annual life cycle of a plant.

In autumn, in September and October, the Decembrist rests, is at rest, prepares for the upcoming flowering - buds are laid. At this time, the spraying of the Decembrists is completely stopped and watered very moderately, allowing the top layer of the earth to even dry out a little. Fertilizer is applied once closer to the flowering period.

Flowering plants (blooming occurs between November and January) are often watered to prevent the soil from drying out, and sprayed constantly to maintain moisture. Also often at this stage, the plant is fed with fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen, with a frequency of 7–10 days.

When all the flowers wither, the Decembrist enters a dormant period, rests and prepares for active growth in spring and summer. They try not to disturb him, fertilize him once and water very sparingly, only to make the earth again wet.

All spring, summer and until the beginning of autumn, Schlumbergers are actively growing. To provide them with nutrients, complex fertilizers are applied every two weeks. At the same time, the plants are regularly watered, and in the heat of July-August they are often sprayed and bathed under a warm shower.

To make Christmas even more beautiful

You can give the plant a beautiful shape by shortening the stems that do not branch and are directed towards the center of the pot, twisted or too long shoots. This process is carried out, as a rule, after the flowering of the Decembrist, but you can pinch it during the period of active growth in June-July. Closer to the dormant period before flowering in August, such an operation is undesirable so as not to reduce the number of future flowers.

Excess stem segments should never be cut with a knife or scissors. You can remove them only with your hands, with one gently holding the stem itself, and with the other, twisting the part to be removed around its axis. Separated parts of the Decembrist can serve as material for growing new bushes.

To form a symmetrical zygocactus bush great importance has uniform illumination of all its parts. To do this, during the growing season, a flower pot with a plant is turned from time to time in different directions to the light source. You can’t do this when buds and flowers appear, they can fall off.

How do pinching Schlumbergers

most enjoyable period

The flowering of the Decembrist becomes the crowning achievement of the grower's efforts, when, against the background of black and white winter graphics outside the window, flowers flare up on the plant with bright colors of the tropics. Here he is given maximum attention. It is carefully and timely watered, sprayed, fed and proud of the result of their labors throughout the year.

Peduncles of withered flowers are recommended not to be removed at all, they will fall off on their own when the time comes. The plant should not be disturbed during flowering; buds and flowers may fall off. In extreme cases, to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the Decembrist, the operation to remove faded flowers should be carried out very carefully.

Removing Faded Christmas Flowers

And what a disappointment a novice florist experiences if the bush does not bloom. An annoying question immediately arises: “Why?”. To answer it, it is necessary to analyze the entire process of growing a Decembrist and find an error.

The most common miscalculations:

• inadequate daylight when the penumbra created for the plant on the advice of connoisseurs is too dense;
• lack of nutrients, that is, the irregularity and untimely feeding, when the green mass grows, and the buds are not laid;
• insufficient watering and moistening during the growing season, especially in the hot season;
• long-term (more than five years) failure to transplant the plant, the soil during this time is depleted even in the presence of top dressing, the roots weaken, there is no time for flowering;
• frequent rearrangements of a flower pot with a Decembrist, they always negatively affect the plant and are even more unacceptable when buds appear;
• too large a pot that the zygocactus will tend to fill with roots, which will only lead to an increase in the number of stems;
• root damage by rot, pests or high concentrations of fertilizers.

Having identified a mistake in cultivation, it is easy to eliminate it. The actions in the first six of the listed cases are logically clear. Even if the last mistake is made - allowing the roots to rot - there is a way out: an emergency plant transplant in compliance with all the rules of this operation for the Decembrists.

"Leave me alone"

After a period of active growth in spring and summer, the Decembrist rests in autumn, gains strength before flowering, lays flower buds. autumn care for the plant is extremely important, it depends on it whether the Schlumbergera will bloom this year. During this period, the plant is less demanding on the amount of moisture and light, it wants coolness and air. About the need for watering, it itself will signal the grower with a slightly wrinkled surface of the stem segments. Knowledgeable flower growers recommend replacing water for irrigation with weak tea during this period. This will help lay more flower buds. It is considered useful to mulch the soil under the zygocactus with sleeping tea.

If in the summer the Decembrist grew up on a balcony or in a garden, then it should be left there until the temperature dropped to 10ºС. Even a short drop to 3–5 ºС will not harm the Christmas tree.

Toward the end of October, the Decembrists are advised to feed with fertilizer for flowering plants. This will promote abundant flowering and prolong its period.

Errors and their correction

Not only the lack of flowering of the Decembrist can be a signal that the plant has some problems. If the Schlumbergera is not cared for properly, the rules for growing it are violated, she often signals this with her appearance. We need to figure out what caused these changes and try to correct them.

Unfortunately, there are cases when it is no longer possible to correct the error. the only way out in such a situation, there will be a separation from the plant of its most healthy parts and planting them as cuttings for growing new plants.

Diseases and pests of the Decembrists

In fact, the Decembrists rarely get sick, and insects do not attack them often. Problems can arise when using old, contaminated soil or when overwatering weakens the plant.

Photo gallery: diseases and pests of the Decembrists

Table of diseases and measures to combat them

Propagation of zygocactus by cuttings

It has already been mentioned that when forming a bush after flowering in February, pieces of stems separated from the mother plant are used as cuttings for Decembrist propagation. Such a process is the main one for increasing the number of Christmas bushes. Only when breeding new plant hybrids do flower growers grow zygocactus from seeds.

This flower can also be propagated during the active growing season - in May-August. To do this, part of the stem of 1-4 segments is unscrewed from the plant.

The stalk is separated by twisting

The cuttings are left to dry out the place of its separation from the mother plant. Sometimes aerial roots of the plant exist at the place of separation. They are not broken off, in the ground they will develop into full-fledged roots.

Laid out to dry for several days

Dried cuttings are ready for planting.

It's time to plant in the ground

A small but rather wide pot is selected for the plant, in which drainage is poured into a third of its height.

The capacity fills the drainage by a third

The soil is taken purchased or prepared independently from a mixture of equal parts of sheet and sod land, peat and sand. It is slightly hydrated.

Roots will grow faster

The next step is planting the cutting in the ground. The soil around the cutting is poured and compacted.

cutting in the ground

The final stage is the creation of a mini-greenhouse for a young plant. To do this, it is covered with a transparent film or a glass vessel.

The pot with the plant is placed in a place with light shading and a temperature of 15-20ºС. Further care for the young Decembrist will consist in regular airing of the greenhouse and timely watering.

The Decembrist lives up to its name every year, pleasing the eye in bulk rare beauty of flowers when frost crackles outside the window.

However, this is not the only advantage of the plant - it can boast of its unpretentiousness in care and unusual shape shoots.

In addition, the Decembrist is able to give the flower grower a piece of summer on a winter windowsill for as long as 20 years!

Schlumbergera, zygocactus or Decembrist?

Decembrist- this is a native of the tropical forests of Brazil, called Schlumbergera(Shlumbergera) or zygocactus(Zygocactus).

The plant is so popular that for its long life acquired many names. His name is "barbarian scythe", and "Christmas", and "Christmas cactus", and "cancer neck", and "Dekabrina". And most famous name plants - "Decembrist".

The Decembrist belongs to the cactus family and in nature is an epiphyte, that is, being strengthened by roots for crevices in the bark, it grows on tree trunks in the spreading shadow of their crowns.

The Schlumberger genus combines a number of small cacti with flat jointed shoots with notches along the edges of the segments, without thorns.

On the tips of the shoots of the Decembrist bloom bright tiered tubular flowers red or white color with a long bunch of delicate stamens.

Thanks to the efforts of breeders, you can find copies of this unusual plant with pink, yellow, purple and crimson inflorescences. The main pollinator of the Decembrist in the wild is a miniature bird hummingbird.

The following most popular species are grown in home flower collections:

• Schlumbergera Buckley (Schlumbergera bucklei)- multi-tiered delicate lilac-pink flowers at the tips of light green jointed shoots with small protrusions at the edges.
• Schlumbergera Gaertner (Schlumbergera gaertneri)- bright red-orange flowers similar to multi-tiered bells on large segmented shoots.
• Schlumbergera truncated (Schlumbergera truncates or Zygocactus truncatus)- multi-tiered flowers with petals bent back on segmented shoots with sharp teeth along the edges. Color of flowers - white, pink, violet and light lilac shades.
• Zygocactus russeliana (Zygocactus russeliana) - bright flowers on a greenish tubular peduncle with big amount pink, purple and red long petals. The articulate stems of the plant can grow up to 1 m long.

Features of caring for the Decembrist

Decembrist can be called "white crow" among cacti. He loves water, is afraid of the sun, has no thorns and grows quickly. Grown in pots or as ampelous plant in hanging pots.

The plant begins to bloom in late November, and ends in early February. At good care the Decembrist can please diligent flower growers with his extraordinary beauty up to 20 years.

Site selection and lighting

The Decembrist grows well on a shaded bright window, preferably in a northern or eastern direction. It is extremely important to protect it from active sunlight in order to avoid stem scorch.

The optimum temperature for the plant in winter is about 15 ° C. Summer Decembrist needs to fresh air , so it is recommended to put it in a shady place on a balcony, loggia or terrace.

An adult bush of a plant should sometimes be turned different barrels towards the light, so that it does not become one-sided and didn't lose shape. But by no means can't move pot during the flowering period.

Watering and humidity

The Decembrist should be watered with moderately warm settled water, avoiding both waterlogging and drying of the soil. plant adores regular warm showers, but during water treatment you need to try not to touch its buds and inflorescences.

Decembrist totally unbearable too wet soil - its roots can rot.

Rest period and transplant

After flowering the Decembrist needs rest until the end of March. At this time, you need to place it in a cool place, gradually reducing watering. In early April, you should move it to its original place, gradually increase watering and start feeding the plant.

Ground for the Decembrist usually made up on their own. To do this, you need to take equal parts of sand, peat, turf and leaf ground and add some brick chips or the smallest expanded clay there.

Plant transplant should be carried out at the end of February after flowering. A young Decembrist is transplanted annually, and an adult - once every 4 or 5 years. The root system of the plant develops superficially, so the pot should be chosen low and wide.

When transplanting, you need to slightly loosen the soil along the edges of the pot and get the plant along with the ground. Then it is necessary very careful clean the roots from the soil, plant the Decembrist in a new container and water it.

See the video below for a master class on transplanting a Decembrist:

Feeding and pruning

Decembrist can be fed once a month liquid fertilizers for succulents and cacti without being too zealous. However, the plant can't be fertilized during the flowering period. You can also use a weak solution of fertilizer for flowering plants.

To give beautiful shape bush and abundant flowering in June, it is advisable to prune the Decembrist. For this extra part sprout growing wrong unscrew (do not cut off!) at the point of attachment of the segment.

reproduction

Immediately after flowering or in May, the Decembrist is very easy propagated by cuttings. To do this, shoots with 3-4 links are unscrewed, dried and planted in moist soil, covered with a plastic bottle or glass jar.

Frequent problems

• Light spots on shoots- too much light or infection.
• Falling flowers and buds- change of place during flowering, drafts and temperature changes.
• The plant does not bloom- temperature below 10 °C.
• Dropping buds or upper segments of shoots- drought or waterlogging of the soil, change of place during the ovary, pest attack.
• Sluggish and pale shoots- too much sun, irregular watering, pests.
• Brown spots on leaves- damage to the shield.

For a beautiful Decembrist to give you a bright bouquet of flowers every winter, he doesn’t need so much - care and proper care . Feeling your love, the plant will delight you with its presence for many years.

Schlumbergera, or zygocactus, is a forest epiphytic cactus that usually blooms in December. It is because of the unusual timing of flowering that the plant is often called the Decembrist or Christmas tree. The flower has no thorns. In conditions wildlife zygocactus grows on the trunks or roots of trees. It has the form of a bush with hanging branched green stems, consisting of segments similar to leaves.

The Decembrist has a weak root system, so when improper care or adverse conditions, the plant dies very quickly. hallmark Decembrist are "search" roots that are able to absorb required amount moisture from the air, which allows it to survive and form new roots.

Flowers with long stamens appear at the ends of the shoots. In the wild, they are pollinated by insects or small birds. The color of flowers in nature is white or bright red; plant breeders have bred plants with raspberry, purple, yellow and pink flowers.

Types of Decembrists

Currently several types of plants have been bred, differing in leaf size and flower color. Among them you can choose:

Home care

How to care for a Decembrist, you can always ask experienced flower growers. And they will answer that it is not difficult to keep zygocactus if you follow some rules. Decembrist care at home includes timely watering, feeding and transplanting.