Homeland of the Decembrist, a houseplant that everyone had

Growing problems

Drops buds and segments

As a rule, this phenomenon occurs when irrigation is improperly organized. This can be over-watering or lack of water. Also, the problem arises when the plant moves after the appearance of buds or during the attack of parasites.

Leaves wither

The health and appearance of the leaves is directly dependent on lighting, the presence of pests and watering. When brown spots appear on the leaves, you can be sure of the presence of a scale insect on the flower. To fix the problem, we will be helped by special products purchased at a flower shop.

Diseases

Indoor Decembrist can be affected by a bacterial or fungal disease. They, as a rule, appear in the form of spots on the leaves, which, in turn, can lose their appearance or completely fall off. The elimination of the problem is to treat the plant with special means. If this procedure does not help, then you need to separate the cuttings with damaged leaves and try to plant them, in order to avoid the loss of the whole plant.

The Decembrist flower will surely delight you with its beautiful flowering and healthy appearance. only in case thatif you take care of him and provide timely and complete comprehensive care.

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Where are you from, handsome?

Decembrist pleases with flowering in the long winter

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

The plant has an original appearance. Its branching drooping stems consist of separate flat elements of complex shape, similar to leaves adhered to each other. At the ends of the stems, flower buds are formed. 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 there are no thorns on it.

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 is visible in the photos below.

Ripsalidopsis on the left, two varieties of zygocactus on the right

The flowers of these plants also differ.

On the left and above the Decembrist, on the right is the asterisk of Ripsalidopsis

Under natural conditions, Decembrists grow in a humid shady forest of the tropics, therefore when growing them it is necessary to create similar conditions: diffused light, humidity, moderate heat, free access of fresh air. Zygocactus are epiphytic plants. They settle on the branches and trunks of other species, but do not parasitize on them, do not receive nutrients from them.

In vivo

In nature, there are six types of Christmas trees: truncated, Kautsky, Russeliana, orssishiana, opuntia and microsphaerica. Numerous hybrids have been bred in culture. They have flowers of a wide variety of colors and shades: white, yellow, red, pink, crimson, orange, salmon and so on. All of them can be grown at home. It is not very difficult to take care of them, you just need to follow a number of simple rules. In good conditions, the life of the plant is up to 30 years.

Flower Decembrist: description

Decembrist's natural habitats are the high-mountainous forests of Brazil, from where this cactus was brought to the countries of the Old World just over two hundred years ago. The synonymous series of scientific names of the genus Decembrist consists of several positions: Schlumberger, Epiphyllanthus, Zigokactus, Epiphyllum, Zigocereus. In addition, the cactus bears names associated with the period of its flowering: Christmas, Dekabrina. All Decembrist varieties have a number of common features:

• these are perennial plants that in nature lead an epiphytic lifestyle, but grow at home as pot crops;
• cacti - low bushes (about 1 meter) with strong branching and abundant flowering;
• flat stems have a soft structure and consist of many articulations, decorated with denticles or indentations;
• insignificant and vulnerable root system is located superficially;
• there are no thorns;
• the color of tubular flowers ranges from white to lilac, including all shades of red-pink color;
• flowering occurs from November to February, characterized by prolonged opening of the buds.

The Decembrist can be confused with his distant relative Rhipsalidopsis. But upon closer inspection, Schlumberger and Rhipsalidopsis are noticeable differences.

In the Decembrist, the stem segments have a pronounced serration of the edge, the corolla of the flowers are asymmetric; articulations of Rhipsalidopsis are almost smooth, flower petals are of the same length with a sharpness. But the main difference is in the timing of flowering: the Decembrist forms buds at the beginning of winter, and his relative - in the spring, closer to Easter.

Reproduction

Zygocactus reproduces very simply - by segments of leaves. If there are aerial roots between the plates, then its survival rate will be close to 100%.

How to propagate the Schlumberger-Decembrist zygocactus:

Detach a segment of 2 - 3 segments. This is done manually - by twisting from its place.

Leave to dry for 3 days at room temperature.

The above-described soil is being prepared or bought ready-made for succulents.

The cuttings are deepened 1 cm into the soil.

To speed up rooting, they are covered with a plastic bottle with small air holes.

After that, the capacity must be determined in partial shade at a temperature of about 20 degrees (plus / minus 2). Within a month, you need to inspect the plant and monitor the moisture content of the soil.

Graft

You can propagate the Decembrist by grafting on another cactus - prickly pear. To do this, you will need a small cactus and a Schlumberger stalk as a rootstock.

How to get vaccinated:

Cut off the top of the prickly pear with a sharp, clean knife.

Make a vertical cut.

Cut off the bottom of the zygocactus stalk to form an acute angle. It is inserted into the cleft of the prickly pear.

To prevent the scion from falling out, it is recommended to secure it with a cactus needle - it has microscopic notches that will hold the rootstock and scion until they grow together.

After vaccination, you need to organize a greenhouse from a bag or bottle. Within a month, two parts will grow together.

Seeds

Seed propagation is a long and laborious process. First, two flowers need to be pollinated with a brush. Then wait 6 - 8 months until the fruits ripen. They are removed when the berry becomes soft. There will be seeds inside.

They are taken out and washed with potassium permanganate.Then they are sown on the surface of the soil, without sprinkling it with earth, covered with glass and waiting for the emergence of seedlings. The temperature should be 22 - 23 degrees. A lower heat regime leads to a deterioration in germination.

Little Decembrists are planted 2 months after germination. Then, every 3 months, the bushes are transplanted into new spacious containers for growing roots.

It is possible to grow a Decembrist with seeds if there is a goal to get some new variety. Usually, young plants do not retain maternal traits during seed propagation.

Conditions for successful cultivation

What kind of lighting is needed Decembrist at home

Schlumberger needs to be placed in a place where bright, but diffused sunlight would fall on her. It is impossible to keep the Decembrist in the shade, otherwise the appearance of the plant will deteriorate. The most suitable windows for cultivating zygocactus are north, west and east. If you decide to grow a flower in the southern sector of the apartment, do not forget to shade it on especially hot summer days around noon.

Thermal regime and air humidity for the successful cultivation of the Decembrist

Decembrist, as a tropical plant, prefers to develop in warmth all year round. In spring and summer optimal air temperature will be + 18 + 25 ° C, in winter + 16 + 18 ° C. In August, when buds are laid, from which flowers will appear in the cold, every effort should be made so that the thermometer in the place where the zygocactus lives does not fall below + 11 + 12 ° C. During the rest period, the thermal regime should be within the range of + 6 + 8 ° C.

The Decembrist needs an increased moisture content in the atmosphere. In order to ensure such conditions, it is recommended to spray the plant both in summer and in winter with warm, settled liquid from a spray bottle.

What kind of soil does an indoor Decembrist need

Schlumberger plants are planted only in loose, light soil with a pH of 5-6. The composition of the soil is used as follows: 6 parts of sheet, 1 part of turf land, 4 parts of humus, 2 parts of sand and peat. The pot is medium in size, deep enough.

Transfer

The main point when transplanting is to select the right soil for growing

It is very important that the soil is nutritious. Peat soil is often used for this.

You can buy it ready-made in a specialty store or prepare it yourself.

It is imperative to place a good drainage layer on the bottom of the container, the benefit of which is to protect against premature decay of the root system and stagnant moisture. This way we will not harm the plant. A good drainage layer should cover one third of the entire container.

The capacity must be chosen wide enough and not very deep, due to the fragile structure of the root system. The transplant should be carried out after the end of flowering at the time of the onset of the dormant period, namely at the beginning of the spring season. Young copies of the indoor Decembrist must be transplanted annually, adults - once every 3, or even 4 annual cycles.

Pests of the Decembrist

The flower is susceptible to attack by various insects, damage from fungal diseases. It is necessary to inspect the leaves more often in order to identify the problem in time.

Factors to pay attention to:

• White lumps like cotton wool. Indicate the defeat of the zygocactus mealybug. You can get rid of parasites with the help of chemistry. I need to buy the drug at a flower shop.
• Changing the shades of the leaves of the plant. They become pale, gray. This indicates the development of a fungal disease. Do not overmoisten the soil. It is required to buy a drug against the fungus.
• A rusty coating on the leaves may indicate a spider mite infestation. It is necessary to maintain an elevated level of humidity in the air, buy a remedy for parasites.

The Decembrist is a beautiful houseplant that belongs to the cactus family. However, he does not have needles, he loves coolness, moisture, begins to bloom in the month of December, which is why he got his name. So that the flower does not die, you need to know what types of pests exist, how to deal with them correctly.

Flower diseases

Spider mite

One of the types of pests. These insects belong to the class of arachnids. The body is small, covered with short bristles. The body can be red or yellow. To understand that a parasite has infected a flower, you need to look at the bottom of the leaves. Light dots in these places indicate the presence of a spider mite.

Gradually, the parasite will move to the rest of the flower. Most of the drugs for pests are ineffective, the insect quickly gets used to them. It is advisable to use tools such as Aktofit, Fitoverm, Vertimek.

Mealybug

The mealybug mite is an insect that has a small oval body. It stands out with a pink tint, which may have transverse stripes of a dark color. Sometimes a white coating appears on the body. This parasite harms the buds, which begin to fade, gradually die. You can identify the pest by the appearing white bloom.

To cure the plant, it is necessary to remove damaged buds, water the flower more often. The flower can be cured by Confidor, Aktara.

Shield

A tiny insect that can quickly kill a plant. After the defeat of the flower, its leaves start to turn yellowand then fall off.

These insects are afraid of sunlight, they love a humid atmosphere.

To cure a plant from a pest, you need to use means such as Tanreca, Karbofosa.

Shield

Interesting facts about zygocactus

Novice flower growers should know interesting facts about the Decembrist:

• This is a long-lived flower that can delight 20-25 years.
• This type of cactus does well in cool temperatures.
• Loves frequent spraying, but too frequent watering will kill him.
• It is advisable to give the zygocactus "sleep" at night without light.

The Decembrist (Schlumberg's zygocactus) is classified as a forest cactus, although there are no thorns on it. This is an unpretentious flower that even beginners can grow. The main thing is to adhere to the recommendations given by experienced florists.

How to take care of a Decembrist at home?

Before you start growing a flower in an apartment, you need to familiarize yourself with its features. Caring for a Decembrist in a pot requires the selection of a temperature regime and location.

Planting and transplanting the Decembrist

In order to plant a zygocactus, you need to know what kind of land is needed for a Decembrist flower, which pot to choose. To plant a Decembrist with a shoot, you must choose a container. A wide pot of shallow depth is suitable for this. It is best to plant and replant it after February. The Decembrist transplant should be carried out in a larger pot.

The next stage after choosing a pot is preparing the soil for the Decembrist. To properly root a plant, you need to prepare the soil. A loose substrate is suitable for him. It should consist of the following components:

• coarse sand - 1 part;
• peat - 2 parts;
• fertile soil layer - 1 part.

Planting zygocactus

Watering and feeding

Caring for a flower is similar to growing other deciduous plants. Watering the Decembrist should be carried out with settled water, which should be warmer than room temperature. Low humidity levels can negatively affect the health of the plant. To save it, you need to do the following:

• Spray the leaves of the flower once a day.
• Place wet drainage or moss under the pot.

After winter, zygocactus requires additional feeding. Fertilizer for the Decembrist should be complex. It is added in half as much as indicated on the package.

Watering frequency

Zygocactus needs to be watered regularly, which distinguishes it from other plants in the cactus family. You need to add water after the topsoil begins to dry out.

Pruning zygocactus

To form a neat plant, you need to periodically prune it. This contributes not only to the creation of an attractive appearance, but also to the rejuvenation of the flower. In the month of July, you need to cut off the excess processes, which are strongly knocked out, grow incorrectly.

Pruning zygocactus

How to prepare the Decembrist for flowering?

This is the most crucial moment in the maintenance of a plant, since the duration of flowering and the beauty of flowers depend on it. However, many ignore the preparation, believing that it does not affect the quality of flowering in any way. But as practice shows, this opinion is wrong.

The first thing to pay attention to is the air temperature. With an autumn cold snap, the plant should be taken out to fresh air.

The flower can be left outside until it gets colder.

Watering the plant is prohibited, as moisture can harm it. Without water, the Decembrist should be up to until he will not be brought home. Then you can start infrequent watering using a small amount of liquid.

Also pay attention to the lighting. At the end of October, the Decembrist should be exposed to the light for no more than 10 hours a day.

After 10 hours of exposure to light, the zygocactus must be removed into complete darkness.

Such measures are necessary in order for the plant to build up shoots, and go directly to the laying of shoots. On average, flowering begins 50 days after the transfer of the zygocactus to the room.

Decembrist care after flowering

After flowering, the zygocactus needs to change the conditions of detention. Watering becomes moderate, improperly growing shoots are removed. Until the end of March, it is required to adhere to this method of leaving, and then you can return to the previous one.

Zygocactus after flowering

Signs and superstitions associated with the Decembrist flower

The Decembrist is the favorite of many housewives. However, the superstitions associated with it can turn florists against this beautiful flower. Perhaps the most terrible sign is the opinion that the Decembrist portends death. It is believed that if a plant withers and dies for no apparent reason, then one of the household members will soon die in the house. Some people call the flower muzhegon. That is, the owner of this plant will remain an old maid or will constantly quarrel with her husband.

Some growers are afraid to start a Decembrist because of superstition.

But Schlumberger also has positive signs. For example, he helps the owners to identify the ill-wisher. If a flower overflows after visiting the house of a certain guest, it is believed that this person wishes evil for the owners. There is an opinion that Schlumberger, who bloomed on time, predicts a successful year. But flowering in the warm season predicts failure.

The meaning of a flower in astrology

The Decembrist has not only his own superstitions and superstitions that exist among the people - famous astrologers paid their attention to him and also formed their own beliefs about Schlumberger. Practicing astrologers believe that this plant in the house is capable of absorbing negative energy.

He is able to divert evil from the house and nullify all kinds of conflicts.

Due to this ability of a green energy healer, it is worth starting in the following cases:

• For spouses who got married not so long ago and are just rubbing against each other - the plant will help smooth out conflicts and achieve mutual understanding;
• Astrologers recommend putting the plant in the children's room - the Decembrist helps to tune the child to a creative mood, to develop hidden talents and powers in him;
• The plant helps the family not to attract unwanted guests with negative thoughts to the house;
• Helps the Decembrist to create an idle and creative atmosphere, to add a touch of joy and fun;

The Decembrist helps to solve many difficult situations, insoluble issues. But the main condition for the implementation of positive signs is that when buying a plant, choose it with your heart, and when giving money for a green doctor, think about the positive.

Blooming Decembrist

The flowering period of the Decembrist coincides with the New Year holidays. An unpretentious flower, covered with beautiful inflorescences, often becomes a welcome gift for celebrations. However, when growing a zygocactus, even experienced flower growers make mistakes, because of which it may never please the eye with its magical beauty.

Reasons why it does not bloom

Sometimes flower growers, especially beginners, wonder why the Decembrist does not bloom? Among the most common reasons that clusters of attractive inflorescences have not appeared on it, there are the following:

• the soil does not meet the declared requirements;
• insufficient air humidity;
• excessive shading;
• deficiency of nutrients in the soil.

The lack of flowering can be triggered by a number of factors.

It so happens that the Decembrist does not bloom for a long time. What if initially the true cause of this is unknown? To get to the factor that led to this behavior of the flower, it will be necessary to analyze them and gradually eliminate the unsuitable ones. You can make the Schlumberger bloom at home if you first perform a number of actions:

• choose a pot for planting in such a way that the plant is a little cramped in it;
• do not place the Decembrist in a too warm room, the most optimal temperature for him will be + 16 ° C;
• prevent sudden temperature fluctuations;
• try to change the location of the zygocactus as little as possible so that the formed buds do not fall off;
• pruning or pinching should be done in advance; in October or November, the flower should not be touched at all, otherwise flowering may never come;
• in the autumn-winter period, provide additional supplementary illumination, using phytolamps for this;
• stop using fertilizers and dressing in September, because otherwise the stems of the Decembrist will actively grow, and not buds will form;
• reduce the number of watering in October and November (when the buds form), with the beginning of flowering, again increase the water rate, but do this as carefully as possible.

Diseases and pests can cause the Decembrist refuses to bloom

Also, the lack of flowering can lead to any disease or the presence of pests. In this case, each leaf is carefully examined and, if necessary, treatment with fungicides or insecticides is carried out.

Decembrist is amazing flower care at home conditions behind which is very simple. Subject to basic requirements, it will not only please with abundant flowering, but will also fully develop and look healthy.

The birthplace of the Decembrist plant is tropical Brazilian forests

I have always wondered why the Decembrist flower blooms in the middle of winter. This is so unusual for indoor plants, which tend to flower in the hot season. What's the secret? How is this possible? The answer is very simple: zygocactus (this is the name of the Decembrist in a scientific way) is from another hemisphere, the southern.

Their summer begins when winter is in our hemisphere. And so it turns out that for the Decembrist, our winter is the time of flowering.

The birthplace of the zygocactus plant is Brazil. On Wikipedia, you will not find an article called "Decembrist flower", and there is not even an article about zygocactus, but you can find information on the keyword "Schlumberger" - this is another scientific name for the plant.

Remembering such a complex word is not easy, besides, flower growers may not understand you. But it's still worth knowing that your beloved Decembrist is actually an exotic Schlumberger!