Caring for the Decembrist (Christmas Cactus) in Winter: Dos and Don’ts

Care of the Decembrist in Autumn and WinterCaring for the Decembrist

I create the necessary conditions for the Decembrist (Zygocactus) to show its best qualities and bloom abundantly.

Placement The East side is best for this plant, as it does not like direct sunlight. When placing a Decembrist on the South side, it should be shaded from the sun. In the summer, I place the pot on the balcony.

Choosing the Soil The Decembrist does not like acidic soils. This culture prefers a mixture of humus and sand.

Temperature Temperature fluctuations are harmful to the plant. The optimal temperature for flowering is from +18°C to +25°C (64°F – 77°F). In nature, the Zygocactus grows in the tropics, where the temperature is always constant.

Watering I water the plant with warm, settled water. From time to time, I hydrate it by spraying (misting).

Pruning I cut back old shoots so that the Decembrist blooms better. Buds form only on young shoots. I also prune to create a beautiful shape for the plant. This will also allow the Decembrist to live longer. I remove old shoots in spring or summer.

Fertilizing In spring and summer, I feed the Decembrist with complex fertilizers, in which nitrogen predominates, to accumulate and strengthen the green mass. I do not fertilize in the fall. In the spring I feed once a month, and in the summer twice a month.

Propagation It is easy to propagate the Decembrist, especially if there are aerial roots. I break off a stem and plant it immediately in the soil. It starts growing soon. In the absence of aerial roots, I break off a cutting with two or three segments and dry it in the air for two days (to callous). After that, I plant it.

Repotting (Transplanting) I repot after flowering, in February. The signal for repotting is the appearance of roots on the soil surface or a slowdown in growth. The plant’s roots are not deep, so I choose a wide but shallow container. Each year the pot should be two centimeters wider and deeper than the previous one. I put expanded clay drainage at the bottom. I buy ready-made soil. You can also make it yourself from peat, fertile soil, and sand.

• Young Decembrists need a transplant every year.
• Older plants need repotting every three years.

Important: You should not change the location of the pot often or turn it around, otherwise the plant will not bloom (or drop its buds).

A Decembrist can live up to twenty years. Such a long life is ensured by proper care and attention. The flowering of the Zygocactus is particularly pleasant because it takes place in December, when many other plants are freezing.