Watering the Decembrist at home: how many times, how often and how to water correctly, basic rules

November 30, 2022 ditim Home page » Reading Views:

Lushly blooming Decembrist against the backdrop of a white frosty window is a real winter miracle! This is exactly how I remember this flower , which a long time ago grew with my grandmother in a village house. Schlumbergera Buckley is the name of the most common variety of Decembrist, which was passed from hand to hand and was previously grown in almost every home (in America and Europe it is called, by the way, “Christmas cactus”). Now many modern varieties have been created on its basis. But the main principles of care remained unchanged.

Decembrist by nature is a tropical cactus, a succulent that came to us from the jungles of Brazil. Therefore, watering the Decembrist needs to be handled competently. It is very important to water the Decembrist in moderation so as not to over-moisten it and cause rotting of the root collar.

Basic growing rules

Christmas tree is an epiphytic cactus, which in most cases prefers to develop on another plant, using the juice from its bark as moisture. In the wild, it grows on trees, but at home it can be grown in pots filled with a suitable substrate that ensures rapid drainage of water.

Important! Rozhdestvennik is one of those plants that it is better not to disturb during the budding period.
Unless absolutely necessary, you should not even turn the pot , otherwise the formation of flowers may stop, and they will no longer be as beautiful as they should be.
The basic rules for growing such an unusual plant include the following requirements:

the lighting should be bright and diffused, which can be achieved by placing pots on east or west windows (when growing on the south side, the windows will have to be shaded in the afternoon);
temperature indicators within the range of +18...+40°C, not forgetting that the most comfortable temperature in summer will be in the range of +18...+22°C, and in winter - +14...+16°C;
the ideal air humidity for the plant is 75% or higher, which is achieved by regularly spraying the Christmas tree with a spray bottle (in summer - 1-2 times a week, and in winter - once a month);
soil fertilization is carried out only from March to September, but at this time the frequency of fertilizing should not be less than once every two weeks (fertilizers for zygocacti are suitable for the role of nutritional composition);
transplantation is carried out depending on the age of the plant: young Decembrists can change their “place of residence” once every three years, adults - no more than once every 5-6 years;
the crown of the plant only needs to be partially formed: excess shoots can be pinched off by hand;
in the fight against pests and diseases, it is worth paying attention to drugs against scale insects, spider mites, mealybugs, late blight, phytium, fusarium, since it is from them that the plant suffers most often.

Fresh air is no less important for this cactus, so in the summer it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room or even take the pot out to the balcony.

Decembrist photo description

A bushy perennial indoor plant, named by the people “Decembrist”, either in honor of the name of the month, or for the “obstinacy of character”, blooming in December, contrary to the natural laws of the northern hemisphere, the peak of flowering occurs at Christmas, for which it has another name “Christmas cactus". Homeland - coastal tropical Brazil.

In the wild, it lives on trunks, in tangles of tree branches (epiphytes), in crevices of high-mountain rocks (lithophytes), where, despite monsoon rains, water does not linger. Having a meager root system, it feeds on organic products that accumulate in stone cracks and depressions in the bark. Hiding in shady thickets, it is saturated from the moist air with the help of light above-ground roots growing between the segments (cladodes) that make up the stems of the plant, hence the name “forest cactus”.

The succulent ability to accumulate moisture places them in the cactus family, which, oddly enough, does not have a single spine (modified leaves) and the special structure of the annual growths served as another name “zygocactus”. Decembrist does not have leaves; mistaking flat segments for leaves makes a big mistake.

Stems:

drooping, branched, reaching a length of up to 50 cm;
consist of numerous flat cladodes (annual growths).

Cladodes:

have a bright green tint;
serrated edge with modified areoles (lateral buds) between the serrations;
growth buds or buds are located at the top of the segment.

Flowers of outlandish beauty that bloom at the beginning of summer, endowed with a white or red color, an elongated tube of pointed multi-tiered petals, with a curved end, long stamens extending far beyond the corolla. Hummingbirds, drinking the moisture collected by the flower with their thin nose, simultaneously pollinate it.

The centuries-old struggle for existence has developed an amazing skill for the survival of the species - reproduction is possible even in one segment. Apparently, thanks to this ability, the Decembrist managed to survive on the other side of the equator.

For more than two centuries, zygocactus has been delighting with its bright colors in winter, preserving all the properties of natural growth, presenting a variety of possibilities to breeders. The name used in scientific circles - Schlumbergera - the plant received in honor of the French botanist collector Frederic Schlumberger (1823 - 1893), who first proved that it belongs to the cactus family.

The modern variety of Schlumberger includes more than a hundred varieties, differing in:

size, shape and color of cladodes;
shades, size of flowers;
quantity, terryness of petals.

There are varieties with erect stems, ampelous; low-growing and shoots reaching up to 1 meter. Despite so many different varieties, simplicity and stability of care remains, including watering.

How to determine the Decembrist's need for water

When growing Decembrist, do not forget that it is a cactus, which means it perfectly accumulates moisture in its tissues. At the same time, there are a number of signs of excessive consumption of these reserves, which indicate the need for watering.

The most notable of them include:

the formation of additional aerial roots, with the help of which the Decembrist absorbs moisture from the environment;
drying out of the soil in the pot by more than 3–4 cm during the flowering period and up to half the volume of the container during the dormant period;
the appearance of wrinkles on the stems;
paleness and thinning of the leaves of the flower (characteristic of a systematic lack of moisture in the substrate).

If you are faced with all these manifestations, and there is confidence in a long-term and systematic moisture deficit, then a single watering will not be enough. The best results will be obtained by adding liquid in small doses, but over a longer period of time: for example, 5-6 times over two days.

Find out how to water geraniums correctly and with what for abundant flowering at home.

If the Decembrist withered possible causes and remedies

When caring for the Decembrist, it is important to pay attention to its condition; even minor deviations can deprive not only the beautiful flowering, but also the entire flower.
Thus, a decrease in the turgor of leaf segments of Decembrist may indicate serious problems with the health of the plant. If the Decembrist has become soft, and its leaves are covered with a network of fine wrinkles, the reasons for such changes may be: If the Decembrist has become soft, and its leaves are covered with a network of fine wrinkles, the reasons for such changes may be:

Late blight, phytium or fusarium - such infections are fungal and primarily affect the root system of the Decembrist, which stops absorbing a sufficient amount of moisture and nutrients, resulting in the plant wilting. You can fight with Vitaros, Topaz or Maxim according to the instructions on the package. The products are approved for use at home and are not dangerous for humans and pets. If, in addition to wilting, a red or orange-rusty dry coating with a light coating of white cobwebs appears at the joints of the Decembrist segments, the problem is a spider mite. You can get rid of it with the help of Actellik (you need to use it at home according to the instructions inside the drug package). It is also recommended to increase the air humidity in the room where the Decembrist stands. Wilting, which is accompanied by the appearance of white cotton balls between the leaves of the Decembrist, indicates that the flower is damaged by a mealybug. The parasite is removed manually, and the flower is treated with Aktara according to the instructions that come with the drug. This drug against scale insects is approved for use at home

Sometimes there are no obvious reasons why a Christmas tree has limp leaves, but the plant dies before our eyes - to avoid fatal consequences for the flower, it is worth replanting it in a new substrate. The fact is that the roots of zygocactus are extremely sensitive to the influence of external factors, and if not properly cared for, they often begin to rot. The roots die when watered with cold water, when applying a concentrated solution of fertilizers, or when the air temperature drops excessively against the background of abundant watering.

When transplanting into a fresh substrate, remove all dead roots, sprinkle the cuts with crushed coal and plant the plant according to generally accepted rules. In the first weeks after transplantation, there is no need to water the Decembrist; caring for it should consist of daily spraying and maintaining the temperature at +20? +24?C.

For the Decembrist plant, caring for it at home can cause difficulties only when you get to know it. Those who follow the recommendations for caring for zygocactus will receive a truly magical gift - a waterfall of bright flowers on a winter windowsill.

What water to use

Tap water is not the best solution for watering Christmas trees, since they are very sensitive to the temperature of the liquid and its composition. In this case, it is advisable to prepare rain, melt or well-filtered water that will not form sediment on the walls or bottom of the pot. In extreme cases, you can use tap water, but only after settling for several days.

For organic nutrition with the addition of fertilizers, settled aquarium water and mineral supplements are ideal. In any case, the liquid temperature should be within +22…+25°C, since at lower values it will not be possible to avoid rotting of the Christmas tree root system.

Why does the Decembrist not bloom?

It happens that winter is in full swing, and the Decembrist did not produce a single bud. This is not a reason to take the potty to the trash container. If a plant doesn’t bloom, it means it lacks attention and care, because all living things need warmth and affection. If there were no flowers in the season, there is no way to force them to appear until next winter. But, it is better to prepare for the next season in advance.

In order for the Decembrist’s flowers to bloom in December, he needs to change his location in mid-autumn. Choose a place where there is little sun and shade most of the day. Reduce watering, not radically, but definitely by half. And stop fertilizing the soil; perhaps it was the mineral additives that prevented the plant from blooming.

In the harsh conditions of rare watering and maximum shade, the Decembrist needs to be kept for about a month, after which it must be returned to its original place, where it will receive enough sun. The watering regime should also be restored to the previous one. When the first buds appear, turn the other side of the flower towards the light so that it blooms evenly, otherwise you risk getting flowers on only one side of the Decembrist.

In order not to frighten away the bright scatterings of winter flowers, it is not advisable to touch the Decembrist during the peak of flowering. It is, of course, not a violet to drop flowers with every awkward movement or failure of the watering schedule, but if you actively move it, you can lose flowers for another couple of seasons. During the flowering period, by the way, once every 5-8 days, spray the flower from a spray bottle with water at room temperature so that dust does not accumulate on it, and the leaves and flowers look even juicier and brighter.

How to properly water a plant at home

The regularity and abundance of watering Decembrist when grown at home depends on several factors - first of all, the season of the year and the stage of development of the cactus. Let's consider the requirements for each period.

Did you know? From an astrological point of view, Christmas Day combines the energy of two planets - Mercury and the Moon, which should awaken in people kindness and a desire to care for their neighbors. That is why the plant is recommended to be placed in the houses of dictators, egoists and people prone to unexpected bursts of rage and rudeness.

Depending on the season

As you know, the flowering period of the Christmas tree occurs precisely in the winter months, so it is not surprising that it is at this time that it is often required to water and feed it. The period of appearance of buds, which should not be exposed to liquid, deserves special attention.

Water for winter irrigation must be infused or even boiled, especially if it contains a large amount of lime impurities. Hard water cannot be used, otherwise it will be very difficult to prevent rotting of the root system.

In winter, it is advisable to water the Christmas tree at the same time, without changing its usual growing conditions: you should not move the pot to another window sill, much less move it deeper into the room. The regularity of watering from late autumn to early February is approximately once every 1–2 weeks, but it all depends on the drying out of the soil and other signs of lack of moisture.

Diseases

Of the pests, zygocactus most often suffers from the invasion of scale insects, which camouflage themselves on greenery, and spider mites. The tick is recognized by its white web, which is located between the leaf segments. Permasect will help get rid of both pests.

Improper care provokes fungal diseases - late blight, fusarium and root rot, which is manifested by lignification of the lower part of the shoot, during which it loses color, turns yellow and becomes coarse. Treatment is not always effective - it depends on the age and condition of the plant.

How to combine fertilizers and watering

Like any other plant, Decembrist needs a sufficient amount of nutrients, which must be added to the soil during the growing season: from the end of May to September. At this time, you can use half the usual dose of cactus fertilizer with a small amount of nitrogen and a significant content of phosphorus and potassium. The regularity of fertilizing in the summer is 1–2 times a month.

With the arrival of autumn, special formulations for flowering plants will be a more useful option, but it is recommended to apply them to the soil no more than 2 times during the entire autumn period. Some gardeners generally do not recommend feeding the Christmas tree just before flowering, but this option is only possible if before September the plant has already received enough potassium and phosphorus necessary to strengthen the buds.

After using the selected nutritional composition, the flower must be watered, which will facilitate rapid transport to the roots and better absorption of all nutrients.

Find out what and how to feed indoor plants at home.

In some cases, mineral fertilizers must first be dissolved in water, which must be indicated on the packaging: in such a situation, additional watering is no longer required.

Watering the Decembrist in the fall

Autumn for the Decembrist is a time of rest and the formation of buds.

Watering at this time becomes minimal; you can even get by with just spraying. And feeding is canceled altogether. The dormant period lasts from mid-September to mid-November.

In a too hot or cold room, the Decembrist may not form buds. The optimal temperature during this period: during the day no higher than 21 degrees, at night – from 7 to 15.

As soon as the first buds become visible, the flower gradually begins to be watered more often and can be fed with fertilizer for flowering indoor plants.

Signs of improper watering

The root system of the Christmas tree is very susceptible to any negative influences of the external environment, so if there is an excess of moisture, the usual appearance of the flower may change. The main violations in the irrigation process are the use of cold water, excessive amounts of liquid applied at low temperatures and the use of high concentrations of soluble fertilizers.

All this leads to disturbances in the normal development of the Decembrist and is expressed in the following symptoms:

wilting, sometimes yellowing of leaves;
the tarnish is usually bright green in color;
falling of buds and ovaries;
blackening of the above-ground part of the trunk and its softening.

If you take such a plant out of a pot, you will notice rotten areas on the roots. In case of slight damage to the rhizome, replanting the Christmas tree into new soil will help correct the situation (if using an old pot, it is better to disinfect it).

Watering after transplanting

After transplanting Schlumberger, it is better to postpone the first watering for some time. Experienced gardeners advise that if Schlumbergera is not large, water it after 3 days. If the transplanted specimen is older, then water it after a week. This time is necessary so that all wounds on the root system formed after the replanting process can heal.

After transplantation, water may get into the open creases and the roots will begin to rot, which leads to death. There is no need to worry that the Schlumbergera will die without water. After all, when transplanting, the soil is always slightly damp and the forest cactus can cope with the lack of watering.

Important! Delayed watering after replanting is an important rule when replanting a Decembrist into new soil.

Useful care tips

High-quality watering is not the only thing you should pay attention to when caring for the Decembrist. In addition to this, there are several more important growing rules that will help even a novice gardener grow a healthy and strong Christmas tree that regularly delights with its flowering.

First of all, the list of recommendations should include:

protection from pests, especially if the zygocactus spends some time outdoors (at the first signs of insect activity, the plant should be treated with any local insecticide, repeating the procedure after 6–7 days);
control of soil moisture and the presence of water in the saucer, which may well cause rotting of the root system;
combating late blight by re-growing plants from cuttings (if there are several flowers in the room, then an attempt to save one Decembrist may result in the problem spreading to other plants);
reducing the amount of watering with a simultaneous increase in the frequency of fertilizing during the budding period;
providing the plant with rest before and during budding (at this time you cannot take Decembrist shoots);
extension of the flowering period by maintaining reduced temperatures in the room (not higher than +16…+18°C);
the presence of optimal lighting, without exposing the plant to direct sunlight, which can leave burns on the leaves.

In general, caring for a Christmas tree is no more difficult than caring for other indoor plants, so absolutely everyone can grow Decembrist, and simple recommendations from experienced gardeners will help you avoid minor mistakes.

Possible errors in care

Let's name a few of the most common problems that arise when caring for Schlumbergera.

Segments turn red
The cactus stood in the cold. Redness is a protective reaction to hypothermia. Move the plant into a warm place and it will soon turn green again.
A lot of limp and wrinkled leaves appeared
The reasons can be exactly the opposite: underfilling and overfilling. Dealing with underfilling is as easy as shelling pears - thoroughly water the pot and spray the Schlumbergera with warm water.
But it’s more difficult to deal with excess watering. The roots of the plant are examined; as a rule, they are rotten. Again, this matter is quite fixable - the roots are unscrewed and the bush is re-rooted in fresh loose soil.
All the buds fell off
This phenomenon is associated with stress: they changed the location of the pot, forgot to water the Decembrist on time, and gave the plant a draft.
Decembrist does not bloom
There are many reasons, it is worth reviewing the watering regime, shading or, conversely, moving the pot towards the light. In addition, if Schlumbergera grows in a cramped pot, it is necessary to transplant it into soil of a suitable volume.
But the main reason for failure is ignoring the dormant period, keeping the plant at this moment in “warmth and bliss.”