Hunting for flowers: how to care for a Decembrist so that it blooms?

A little about Schlumberger

But then the breeders bred the species of the Decembrist, having snow-white, pale pink, purple, bright orange flowers. Now you can even buy a plant with flowers of several colors.

The Decembrist has many more names: zygocactus, epiphytic cactus, Christmas tree. A Christmas tree can live 15-20 years if properly cared for.

When inoculated, a standard form of a Decembrist is obtained, which blooms very profusely. For this, they purchase the Peiresquia cactus. The upper part of the cactus is cut with a sharp knife, then the stem is slightly split and then a cutting of 2-3 segments of the Decembrist stem is placed in the split.

At the end, they are fixed and wrapped with a thread of wool. When the slices grow together, the foliage is cut off from the cactus, and the thread is removed. When a Christmas tree grows a crown, it is tied to a peg, then it will not break off.

Temperature

Schlumberger is distinguished by excellent survival rate with a fairly wide range of air temperatures. The plant can tolerate a heat of 40 degrees and a temperature of +2 degrees.

Immediately before flowering from September to November, the temperature must be reduced to + 15-16 degrees. When the plant begins to open its buds, it is better to put it in a room with a higher air temperature. And after flowering, he again needs coolness.

Air humidity

The plant loves to be sprayed. In the summer, and especially in hot weather, spray the flower abundantly with a spray bottle.

The Decembrist does not like direct sunlight, otherwise the stems will turn yellow, and the Decembrist himself will grow more slowly. It is better to shade it. But deep shadow doesn't suit him either. The flower needs lighting equal to 8-10 hours a day.

Features of the content after flowering

By February, the flowering ends, now you need to remove the wilted buds and pin the twigs. This procedure is recommended every spring, since the formation of flowers occurs only on young shoots. This should be done without the use of cutting objects, breaking off with neat movements over a whole segment of the leaf on each shoot.

Abundant flowering causes depletion of the soil mixture and the plant itself. Experts advise feeding in the spring. In addition to ready-made fertilizers, you can use wood ash, sugar and yeast, from which you can prepare nutritional compositions than feed the Decembrist so that it blooms:

1. Ash can be added directly to the flower pot or diluted in water for irrigation 2 tbsp. l. tablespoons of powder per liter of liquid.
2. Sugar water has a beneficial effect on the growth of zygocactus. For watering, dilute 1 tbsp. l. granulated sugar in 0.5 liters of water.
3. Yeast feeding is made from 2 tbsp. l. yeast, 1 tbsp. l. sugar and a liter of water. Let it brew for about 2 hours. Dilute one part of the yeast dressing in 5 parts of water and water the plant.

We find out why the Decembrist does not bloom. 10 reasons preventing buds from appearing

The Decembrist has bright juicy greenery, which certainly looks spectacular, but the main advantage and feature of the plant is its flowering in the middle of a cold winter, which flower lovers are eagerly awaiting.

Sometimes it happens that the Schlumberger does not bloom or suddenly stops blooming. Why this is happening and how to deal with it, we will find out further.

Flowering frequency at home

The life cycle of the Decembrist includes several stages of growth and development, which suggests that the plant prepares for a long time for the flowering period, which occurs once within 12 months.

Schlumberger blooms in late November-early December, if summer comes early, otherwise it is worth waiting for flowering only in January or February.

I must say that sometimes flower growers, at an early beginning of flowering, note the re-emergence of buds in February-March.

Insufficient watering in summer

In the summer, the Decembrist needs a lot of water. At this time, it is actively growing, and moisture is required for the appearance of new leaves. Also, rare watering leads to deformation of the existing foliage and long-term restoration of the flower after such a drought.

In addition, the abundant summer watering is perceived by the Schlumberger as the rainy season in the rainforests native to the flower, during which it stores moisture, after which it prepares for flowering

Therefore, it is important to often and abundantly water and spray the zygocactus, and you need to reduce watering in the fall, during the dormant period.

What to do to get the zygocactus color?

In the presence of favorable conditions, Schlumberger forms flower buds for 2-3 months in a row. In order for the Decembrist to begin the flowering period, it is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for the flower:

1. Maintain a cool temperature in the room, excluding the presence of drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
2. Make sure that the air humidity is about 50-70%.
3. Do not plant zygocactus in a large flowerpot.
4. Fertilize regularly to provide the Schlumberger with all the nutrients it needs.
5. Water abundantly in summer and minimize watering during bud setting.
6. Do not move or rotate the flowerpot after the buds appear on the plant.
7. Regularly inspect the flower for pests.

Read more about how to make a Schlumberger bloom here.

The lack of flowering Schlumberger, of course, upsets the growers, but the situation can be corrected. It is only necessary to take a responsible approach to growing a flower and organize proper care for it, adhering to simple rules and you can forget about all the problems with the growth, development and flowering of the Decembrist, you just have to admire its flowers.

Reasons for the "refusal" of the Decembrist

The Decembrist fell in love with many flower growers for his unpretentiousness, but even he, with improper care, is capable of "whims". Most often this is expressed in the refusal of the plant to bloom.

The reasons why Decembrist does not bloom at home, there may be:

• improper watering;
• insufficient or too bright lighting;
• non-observance of the temperature regime;
• lack of a rest period;
• irregular transplants;
• lack of nutrients.

Rest period organization: cheat sheet table

In order for the Christmas tree to please with lush flowering, in winter he needs to organize a holiday season. Otherwise, there can be no question of any budding.

It is important to start preparing the plant for winter flowering from August.

The basic requirements for the organization of the rest period are presented in the table:

Transfer

The Decembrist does not bloom even in the absence of a transplant for a long time. It has a beneficial effect on the overall development of the plant. This is especially necessary for young flowers, as they grow quickly and constantly need nutrients. A young plant needs to be replanted once a year, and a mature one every 4 years.

Influence of transplantation on flowering

During transplantation, you need to completely renew the soil, as it becomes less nutritious, and its structure becomes compacted. Such soil does not only pass water poorly, but also the air necessary for ventilation of the root system. The result is stagnant moisture, root decay and the appearance of diseases. In this state, the Decembrist is unlikely to bloom.

Together with the soil, it is necessary to change the flowerpot and choose its size correctly. It should be 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. The pot should be shallow and wide, since the roots of the plant are located in the upper soil layer. If the container is too large and deep, the flower will spend all its energy on growing roots and filling the pot with them. As a result, there is no longer enough strength for flowering.

Pest and disease control

If the plant is sick or infected with pests, then it will spend all its energy on fighting them. The infection affects leaves, stems and already set buds, which may simply fall off before they have time to bloom.

To exclude infection, you should carefully examine the flower. Sluggish, thin, dry or yellow leaves or even dropping them. Pests such as spider mites, scale insects or mealybugs can be found on the leaves of the plant. In this case, special drugs are used that have a detrimental effect on the source of the disease.

Decembrist in need of treatment.

To exclude the defeat of the Decembrist by various diseases, it is necessary to create unfavorable conditions for them. To do this, it is enough to provide good ventilation of the roots and minimize the intake of moisture.

For the plant to feel normal, it is necessary:

• systematically ventilate the room in which it is located;
• avoid over-watering;
• regularly loosen the soil in the flowerpot.

4 Diseases, pests and care errors

Despite the fact that the Decembrist is an unpretentious plant, it can also die due to various diseases, pests, and non-compliance with the rules of care. Zygocactus may have such problems:

1. 1. Roots rot. This is due to the fact that the soil is often waterlogged. To prevent the complete death of the roots, it is required to transplant the culture into new soil. It is imperative to remove damaged areas and treat the cut sites with disinfectants.
2. 2. Leaves wither. This is usually associated with the development of various diseases. If the foliage began to turn red, then this is due to the abundant sunlight. Sometimes redness appears only at the edges of the segments. This is due to the large number of shoots.
3. 3. The trunk swings in different directions. This indicates that the flower is dying due to severe hypothermia. For example, he stays in a room with a low temperature for a long time. This may be due to the use of too cold water during irrigation. The barrel also sways due to reverse processes - due to overheating. The third reason is improper feeding when the fertilizer dosage is exceeded. In this case, you need to transplant the flower into a new substrate.
4. 4. Stem segments crumble. The lack of nutritional components affects. The reason may be the depletion of the soil and the lack of fertilizing. Then you need to use a complex mineral fertilizer. The solution must either be poured over the soil in the pot, or the leaves themselves must be sprayed.Another option is a complete soil replacement. Another reason is excessively dry air. In this case, it is necessary to periodically spray the foliage and the space around the plant. You also need to put a container of water next to it. An additional factor is the defeat of spider mites. You should deal with it as early as possible. It is recommended to use a special insecticidal acaricidal agent.

Another reason, according to which the zygocactus looks bad - the stress to which the plant is exposed. This may even be the cause of his death. Avoid sudden changes in air temperature. In no case should you put a flower in a draft. It should also be borne in mind that any change in environmental conditions is also stress for the plant. The transplant should be carried out on time and only under the necessary conditions.

Stress is even a common situation when a person bought a flower and just brought it to his home. In this case, the Decembrist can throw off all the buds and end segments on the shoots. But zygocactus quickly goes through a period of adaptation.

During the acquisition of such a plant, you need to pay attention to its condition. Segments should not be soft or transparent, or have stains of unknown origin

The trunk must also be checked: it must be strong, solid and healthy in appearance.

Decembrist can suffer from various diseases that are caused by fungal infections. An example is fusarium, phytium, late blight. These diseases are the most common. They can be cured with fungicidal preparations. It is necessary to treat the plants with solutions. Funds from the chlorothalonil, benomyl or triazole group are suitable.

We must not forget about the likelihood of the appearance of parasitic insects. This is a scale insect or aphid. In this case, it is necessary to carefully examine the plant. Individuals must be cleaned with a wet cloth dipped in soapy water. Then the flower should be treated with insecticidal agents. Neoron, Fitoverm or Aktellik will do.

The reasons why the Decembrist does not bloom

All stages of development of the Schlumberger cactus are divided into the following:

• vegetation (spring-summer),
• I period of rest (autumn),
• flowering (November-January),
• II dormant period (after flowering before vegetation).

Usually, flower growers who first keep the Schlumberger cactus make several typical mistakes, because of which the pet refuses to bloom.

Lighting violations

If you think that the Decembrist needs a lot of light, especially direct sunlight, like other cacti, then you are making a gross mistake.

A plant can easily get burned if it gets ultraviolet light between 11:00 and 17:00, especially in summer. But no less negative effect on the condition of the cactus and the lack of sunlight. With a lack of sunlight, the plant also suffers.

Nutrient Deficiency

Like most indoor plants, the Decembrist needs additional feeding. There are certain norms for the introduction of feedings of various composition at different times of the year.

It is very important that your pet gets all the nutrients it needs. But there are certain periods for their introduction.

For example, fertilizing during the dormant period completely stops the formation of flower buds.

Permutation

This disorder usually occurs during the period of first dormancy and flowering. When a cactus begins the process of bud formation or when they have already bloomed, it needs peace in every sense.

It is strictly forbidden to move it to a new place, turn it the other way towards the light and touch it in every possible way, otherwise the plant will receive severe stress and suddenly get rid of all the buds (flowers).

Plant pruning

A common mistake in caring for a Decembrist, which leads to a lack of flowering, is to ignore pruning of shoots. The fact is that buds are best formed on young shoots.Therefore, every year at the end of winter, the Decembrist needs to update the crown by plucking segments that do not branch.

Inappropriate place to contain

Many novice growers believe that the larger and more spacious the pot they pick up for their pet, the better it will feel and grow faster. This belief is fundamentally wrong.

If the pot does not match the size of the root system, the development of the aerial part inevitably stops, let alone flowering. Sometimes growth stops for several years.

The fact is that the roots first try to fill all the space inside the pot, and only after that the forces of the plant will be directed to the growth and development of the green part. In addition, a large pot significantly increases the chances of stagnant water.

The second problem may be the content of the zygocactus near heating devices or in a draft. Remember that a slightly lower temperature is better for this plant than hot air.

Violation of the root system

The root system can suffer as a result of non-observance of the temperature regime (severe hypothermia), excessive moisture, violation of the rules for transplanting a green friend, the use of cold water for irrigation. Obviously, with root injuries, the plant will not have enough strength to form flower buds.

Frequent mistakes

Also, plant owners often believe that the segments of the stem are falling off, and the plants are dropping their buds from insufficient watering, but this is not true, since in such a situation the Christmas tree will most likely simply wither.

Don't leave the Christmas tree in a draft. Otherwise, the flower will overcool, the roots will rot and the plant will wither.

If you water the flower too abundantly, the foliage will begin to fall off.

Very often people mistakenly believe that if you put a Decembrist in a roomy pot, it will grow more actively. But in its natural environment, this plant has small roots, as it attaches to trees. Therefore, Schlumberger is planted in a pot as small as possible.

A pot is selected that is 3 times less in height than the length of the stem. Then the zygocactus will spend its energy on the growth of the stem and the formation of buds. If you plant it in a very deep pot, then it will grow roots, they will begin to come to the surface, and Schlumberger herself will not bloom.

A plant may drop buds if too many of them have grown, since the plant no longer has enough strength to bloom. Therefore, if there are more than 4-5 buds on each pagon, then cut off the extra ones.

Why does the Decembrist drop buds

This situation occurs if a very large number of flowers have formed and they not enough food.

A provocateur of falling flowers is considered red spider mite... To identify it, the plant is carefully examined. Segments fall off together with the bud, the base is yellow, covered with orange spots. Lack of drainage can provoke rotting of the root system. The plant is loosened a little. If it staggers freely, a zygocactus transplant is urgently performed. Root damage can be caused by drought or fertilizer burns. The roots are cleared of soil, protected from rot, washed in water, dried and transferred to a pot with suitable soil. The first time is watered moderately, and sprayed abundantly. To maintain the desired humidity, cover the green crown with polyethylene. The Decembrists throws off the buds with a sharp change in conditions of detention. Sometimes the roots can be attacked by various fungi. Brown spots appear at the base of the diseased plant, they pass to other stems. In this case, diseased shoots are cut out, since they are not treated. The Decembrist throws off the buds and with a sharp cold snap indoors

In order for the zygocatus to bloom on time and regularly, it is important to transplant it into a suitable pot. It is a mistake to believe that the pot should be spacious.

The Decembrist has small roots, so the pot must be of the appropriate size.Namely, its height should be 3 times less than the length of the stem. In this case, the zygocactus will spend energy on the growth of stems and the formation of buds. Having transplanted it into a large pot, first of all, it will begin to build up the root mass and fill the container. There will be no flowering. Loose soil is considered one of the conditions that stimulate the flowering of the plant. A little crushed coal or brick chips are added to it. Drainage must be poured at the bottom. You should regularly rejuvenate the plant by pinching the top into three to four segments. They can be immediately planted in the ground, young shoots take root quickly. You can make a plant bloom by forming its crown. The main manipulations are carried out in June, by unscrewing the extreme cuttings. First of all, dried and crooked shoots are removed.

An adult plant is transplanted every 4 years, a young one - after a year. If you ignore this advice, the earth loses its nutritional value and becomes dense, which means that it does not allow water and air to pass through well. This can cause excess moisture to build up and cause infections.

Proper care will allow the zygocactus to bloom twice a year. The green pet will become a favorite among indoor plants.

Video recommendation for stimulating the flowering of the Decembrist:

What to do

1. Shock therapy. Place the pot with zygocactus in a cool (about 16 degrees) loggia, light into which does not penetrate more than 10 hours a day. Keep the flower there for about 45-60 days. Water it a little, do not feed it. Although, of course, it will be better if you do all this in September-October - it is during these months that he rests, and buds are laid in the branches.
2. You can behave with a flower in an amicable way: give it top dressing (for decorative flowering flowerpots), spray it, water it constantly (so that the soil is slightly damp all the time).
3. Review your flower care. Maybe you forget to feed him? Buy a cactus mix (if you want to see flowering, take food with a minimum amount of nitrogen). Or did you not spray the zygocactus in the summer, and a lot of dust collected on the leaves? Or did the flower not transplant for a long time? Now you shouldn't touch it, but you can collect the top soil in a pot, and put fresh, nutritious, peat in its place (soil for succulents is suitable, or a mixture of peat, deciduous soil and river sand).

Top dressing-stimulants (folk recipes)

• Yeast. The most reliable method, suitable for enhancing the vital functions of almost any indoor flower. So! Dilute 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of yeast with a little water, and then add warm water so that you get 1 liter. Let it brew for 2 hours. Dilute 1: 5 with water. Water the plant.
• Orange peels. Although any citrus crusts, even lemons, are suitable here. So, they need to be finely chopped, pour boiling water (for 1 glass of crusts take 3 cups of boiling water), let it brew for 24 hours, drain. Before watering, this citrus water is diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
• Sugar. In 0.5 liters of warm water, dilute 1 tablespoon of sugar (without a slice). Use such a sweet solution to water the plant.

And if at the same time it also withers

You flood the plant. Because of this rot (root, stem) could develop. The roots stopped working, which means they stopped transferring nutrients to the leaves. It's a bad thing: you will have to dig up the plant, cut off the damaged areas, rub them with crushed coal for disinfection, and then plant them in new soil. And don't forget the thick drainage into the pot.

If the leaves have withered a little, you can simply dry the soil, for a while forbidding all households to water the zygocactus, and if possible, turn on the radiator in the room more strongly. This will remove excess moisture from the pot.

When transplanting a flowering bush (or not yet flowering, but already decorated with buds), all the buds may fall off.True, if the plant has wilted already strongly, you will have to sacrifice flowering, saving the life of the flower itself.

Making the Christmas tree bloom, did you realize that things are bad - the flower is seriously ill? About the most common problems associated with this plant (diagnosis + solution) tell in this video:

1 How to make the Decembrist bloom - check the soil

If you bought a green bush already in a pot and it did not bloom in winter, then first of all check the ground. The Decembrist will feel good and plant flower buds only in a very loose substrate. Transplant the flower into a new pot and make the following soil: peat, sand and loose earth from under the trees. Take all the components equally. For looseness, also add pieces of forest moss. Be sure to lay a decent layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot - it should be at least 1/3 of the total volume in the pot. Such powerful drainage is needed for enhanced drainage of excess water - Schlumberger roots can rot with strong moisture.

Transplant in the spring and take the whole pot 1-2 cm higher and wider than the old one.