A NEW FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITION
There’s something about the holidays that gets us feeling all warm and fuzzy inside…although that could also be the rum-spiked eggnog! There are so many great family traditions to look forward to, whether it be decorating the Christmas tree together, baking delicious cookies, and of course, the anticipation of unwrapping gifts. With that being said, however, why not give the gift of a new Christmas tradition this joyous holiday season? Let’s have a family planting party!
We thought a special way to create new memories with your family this season would be growing a new plant together—of course, not just any plant, but a Christmas cactus! You’ve probably already heard of a Christmas cactus, and for good reason. These plants are one of the few winter-blooming plants out there, and with proper care, these unique plants can be passed down from generation to generation. Now, if that doesn’t sound like a heart-warming Christmas story, we don’t know what does.
What is a Christmas Cactus?
The scientific name for a Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera bridgesii, and they are well known for their exotic flowers that bloom in hues of pink and lilac. Native to Brazil, these cacti are not your typical desert cacti and, in fact, prefer a tropical environment. In their natural habitat, Christmas cacti grow on trees shaded beneath a canopy, away from the bright, direct sunlight. To be a successful Christmas cactus plant owner, you and your family will do best to mimic your plant’s natural growing habits as closely as you can.
How to Grow a Christmas Cactus
A Christmas cactus grows so easily that it won’t matter if your family members are experienced with growing plants or swear they could kill even a faux plant. When growing, the main things to keep in mind are to give it proper light and proper water conditions and never place it near a drafty window where the chilly winter temperatures might harm it.
These plants should be placed in a location that gets bright, indirect light. An east-facing window would be perfect, and bonus points if it happens to be in a bathroom! Christmas cacti enjoy between average and high humidity levels. This means that treating them as a regular cactus or even a succulent just won’t do. You and your family will need to water your Christmas cactus a bit more frequently than if you were growing other cacti. Aim to water around every 2-3 weeks, but a good indicator is when the top two inches of soil are dry.
How to Propagate a Christmas Cactus
In terms of how to make growing a Christmas cactus into a family tradition, it’s up to you! You can start with gifting each other a fully established plant, or you can buy one plant and propagate it into smaller plants to share with your family members.
Propagating a Christmas cactus is a simple process, so if you find you have more family members who’d like to join this plant growing journey with you, it’ll be easy to include them! A Christmas cactus cutting also makes a sweet and thoughtful Christmas present.
To propagate, all you need to do is snip at the second joint of a healthy stem tip. Plant the cutting (or cuttings) in a soil mixture that’s full of sandy, well-draining soil (cactus and succulent soil mix is the ideal choice). Always plant your cactus and fresh cuttings in a pot with drainage, so you don’t risk overwatering! Water the cutting thoroughly and instruct your family member to place it in a similar spot that you have the mother plant growing in.
Now that you know how easy growing a Christmas cactus is, we hope you enjoy growing your very own with your family this holiday season. Stop into Dammann’s Garden Company to shop our selection and pick up your Christmas cactus today!