Decembrist: why doesn't it bloom and what to do?

Decembrist - a beautiful house plant that blooms in winter. The flower produces original inflorescences, burning with bright lights on the windowsills. Due to the time of discarding the peduncles, the bush got its name.

But it so happens that the pet, for some reason, is not going to bloom, although the time has come. The culprits of this phenomenon are not only improper care, but also pests.

Content:

• Indoor plant description
• Why does not bloom - the reason: improper care
• Why does not bloom - reasons: diseases and pests
• Useful tips: how to properly care for a Decembrist

Indoor plant description

The Decembrist was imported from South America and Brazil. It grows in tropical rainforests, on tree trunks. In wildlife, the shrub is a semi-parasite and is similar in quality to an orchid - it feeds on juices from the bark. Decembrist is one of the names of an interesting shrub. The names are known in the world:

• Schlumberger
• Epiphyllum
• Christmas cactus
• Forest cactus
• Zygocactus
• Christmas

The shrub is a perennial flower. With proper care, it can live a long life of a quarter of a century. Belongs to Schlumberger's cactus family. Cactus leaves are presented in the form of flat-type segments-segments fastened together. At the ends of each process, sharp teeth along the edges (modified needles) stand out. The natural shades of Epiphyllum in nature are white and bright red. All other colors are laborious long-term work of many breeders.

Now you can find the following colors: raspberry, cream, peach, coral, red-orange, yellow, purple and purple.

There is a classification of the Decembrist by color shades:

1. Gertner is a powerful subspecies. Each of the leaf segments tends to reach up to 7 cm in length. In color, it appears only in a red-orange palette.
2. Truncated (chopped off, dull) - the tone of the inflorescences can vary from white and pink to purple with a light lilac core.
3. Buckley (Buckley) - the shade of bright lights is expressed in lilac-pink tones.

The buds on the stems open very slowly and therefore create the effect of long flowering. The opening period of one bud can be up to 35 days. The period of a riot of colors - up to 2-3 months, starting in December. Under good conditions, flowering can occur again. As soon as the flower has entered the bud formation phase, it is not recommended to move the container with the bush, not to twist it from side to side. Otherwise, the cactus will throw off all the buds that have set.

A prerequisite for enhanced growth is spraying with standing water at room temperature. It is necessary to defend for 10 days. It is recommended to take the liquid boiled so that it does not contain lime and chlorine (they are destructive for Christmas). Thus, the Decembrist abounds not only in different names, but also in color. If the plant is not disturbed, it can bloom for a long period of time.

Why does not bloom - the reason: improper care

Many growers believe that the forest cactus is a shrub that does not have a whim. This is a big misconception.Therefore, a common question for outstanding gardeners is the reason for the absence flowering... The answer is simple - wrong care. In order for the flower to throw out the buds and delight with bright colors, you need to try.

There are several reasons for improper care of the zygocactus:

1. Temperature conditions. Most indoor flowers require a constant temperature. But not for the Decembrist. In order for it to bloom, a significant decrease in the degrees of heat in the room is necessary (up to + 14 + 16).
2. Rest period - it is not recommended to pull the bush at the time of rest. The process starts from early September to mid-November. Should not be watered, sprayed or fed. The best action for the Schlumberger is to move him to a dark, cool place. At the end of the dormancy, the bush is taken out to a lighter room, watering is increased.
3. Long stay in one pot. The reason for the fading of flowering may be the lack of transplantation. If the flower has not been transplanted for more than 5 years, it has depleted the substrate as much as possible. The solution is simple - buy a new pot and fresh special soil, transplant a green pet.
4. Irrational lighting... For a flower, it is important to choose a middle ground - neither bright sun rays nor strong darkening are to the liking of a Christmas tree. The north or east side will suit him.
5. Lack of dressing - constant fertilization for the season is important, especially if the shrub has been in the same flowerpot for a long time.
6. Irrational watering - getting nutritious moisture is very necessary for a forest cactus. Irrigation should be frequent and abundant, but watch out for transfusion.
7. Unsuitable flowerpot - the transplant was made, but the container was selected incorrectly. Large pot encourages growth root system and inhibits color.
8. In addition, a change of residence is adversely affected. The flower does not like frequent moving around the apartment, corners and window sills. Simple turns also have a negative effect on your well-being.

Thus, if the Decembrist does not bloom for a long time, then you need to look for the reason in irrational care. Sometimes it happens that diseases or pests are a sign of freezing of flowering, then radical measures need to be taken.

Why does not bloom - reasons: diseases and pests

All gardeners say that it is not typical for a Christmas tree to get sick. But it often happens that obvious signs of an illness are passed off as a simple overflow or excessive lighting.

In order not to destroy the plant, you need to look deeper, carefully examine for the presence of strangers.

There are several pests and diseases that can cause irreparable harm to the shrub:

• Spider mite. If small, different colors (yellow, red, brown) insects appear on the leaf segments, this is a sign of trouble. The reason for settling in is excessively dry air. Chemical control is required by spraying with insecticides (Fitoverm, Actellik). After spraying, it is worth increasing the humidity around the pot - irrigate with a spray bottle or pour water into the pan.
• Mealybug - white lumps appear at the joints of the leaves. If there are few clots, then it is recommended to treat each of the segments with a soft cloth moistened with alcohol or vodka. In difficult situations, spray with Aktara immediately.
• Phytophthora, Fitium, Fusarium are diseases of a fungal nature. They have the ability to simply weaken the Schlumberger or completely destroy. When an infection occurs, the root base of the plant turns pale. The stem begins to wither, and the cuttings crumble. Slippery spots appear. They must be disinfected with any antiseptic using a cloth or cotton swab. Sprayed Topaz or Maxim.
• Scabbard - the appearance of brown spots on the leaves indicates the presence of an insect. Spots are adult insects that stick to cuttings. Sticky secretions appear on the segments, on which a sooty fungus may subsequently appear.With minor lesions, the shrub is treated with a moistened sponge or cotton swab in an antiseptic. After they are doused with Aktara, Arrivo, Fufanom. It is imperative to wash the window sill, pest larvae often remain on it.
• Red flat mite - the leaves take on a sluggish appearance, blotches of a rusty or yellow tint appear on them. They dry up and fall off. It is worth treating with insecticides.

As a last resort, if the matter has gone far, it is better not to bring it to its logical conclusion. Immediately pinch off areas not yet infected and re-root. You need to get rid of the old sample as soon as possible so that it does not infect the rest of the collection of flowers.

Useful tips: how to properly care for the Decembrist

You should not put the flowerpot on the south and west windows. Bright sun rays will easily "burn" tender young segments. They will turn yellow and crumble. In the warm season, it is advisable to take the bush out into the fresh air - on the balcony or in the garden. But be sure to put it in the shade.

Indoor plant care tips:

1. The temperature at which the cactus grows well varies from +2 to +35 C. But the optimal temperature for it is + 18 + 25 C. In order for the inflorescences to have a more saturated color, then before laying the buds you need to completely stop watering, feeding and lowering the temperature to 14 FROM.
2. Watering the Christmas tree loves frequent, but you shouldn't pour it over. It is better to refrain from the condition of the swamp, the roots can rot. It is necessary to irrigate the green pet when the topsoil dries out. It is recommended to take warm water for irrigation. Cold, hard - causes freezing of the roots and their death.
3. He loves spraying, aerial roots as well as underground ones need replenishment. In summer, it is advisable to spray to increase air humidity. In cold weather, stop the process completely.
4. The soil needs to be loose, airy and light. Coniferous soil will not work, it will greatly slow down the growth of young shoots. A mixture of river sand, garden soil, peat and humus should be taken. It is better to get a pot wide and low, then the bush will grow into a lush, beautiful plant. At the bottom, be sure to put a drainage made of broken brick or expanded clay.
5. Top dressing is applied from March 1 time per month, and from July to the end of October - 2 times. Fertilizers should be mineral with a high content of nitrogen and phosphorus.
6. Transplant young shoots are recommended every year, and adult specimens - once every 3 years. Spring pruning is required so that young shoots go, on which buds will subsequently form.

Thus, in order to grow a handsome Decembrist on your windowsill, you do not need to know much. One has only to take into account some of his whims and the adorable pet will delight the flowering not even once a year, but as many as two.

More information can be found in the video: