How to Care for CHRISTMAS CACTUS Plants to get MAX Flowers Every Year - Secrets to their Blooms

[@kathryncustadio]

Although you have multiple videos on holiday cacti I will never get tired of watching them... especially when we need to refresh our knowledge this time of year to enjoy our plants better. I need to stop overwatering.. my sister gave me cuttings to start over 😊 Hello from Massachusetts, stay warm😊

[@plantvibrations]

You stay warm as well! That’s nice to have a plant sharing sis!

[@davidlaing7684]

I have a plant that is 50 years old and I have it on a milk crate as it is huge. I have only repotted it twice into a bigger pot. I have about 20 plants of colors in pink(50), white , red, yellow, very light pink. One red one will bloom from now until late February.

[@aquafina6544]

??? What? @ I have 20 plants pink(50) white red yellow very light pink... Huh?

[@plantvibrations]

Wow, that’s quite a collection.

[@kathryncustadio]

​@@aquafina6544I think he's saying he has 20 different shades of pink and another 50 of various colors

[@lindaharrah2389]

I have one of the same age. It was my mother's for as long as I can remember. When it blooms it's 48in from side to side!

[@hdfemale]

In 1992, I bought a Christmas cactus and it was small and a small pot. It grew to be 3 ft across and 2 ft high when it was in bloom and the flowers were a fuchsia color. I had that plant for 29 years! I was in a bad car accident, (not my fault, and the 2 people in the other car died) So eventually, I had to move to Assisted Living. The room I am in has a long row of trees that block sunlight coming into my only window. I didn't feel that it would be good for my plant, So I gave it to my oldest daughter. She has had it now for 3 years and it is doing fantastic! She will take photos of it and send to me. I really do miss my Christmas cactus! I got so much enjoyment in the growing and nurturing of it. I I'm a little jealous that you have had yours for so long, and it is definitely a very beautiful plant. God Bless...🥰

[@melfuz]

TC are one of my favorites too! I have one that blooms three times a year maybe more. He is one happy plant! 😊

[@plantvibrations]

That’s awesome!

[@amandapacheco2150]

What you do for them to flower 3times a year?👻👻

[@colleenschmidt976]

Love your tutorials! You are thorough, lots of great information & are articulate

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks, I'm glad you find them helpful!

[@linakhoury6623]

Hi Devin . Wonderful information about Christmas cactus and your Christmas cactus looks so pretty . My mother has it in hanging basket on the balcony and it grows very well outside . Have a great weekend .🎄

[@plantvibrations]

That’s great to hear! You too!

[@richardmccarley281]

I put my Christmas cacti outside in the spring, not in direct sun. I leave them there until right before the first frost. The buds are usually set by the time I bring them inside for the winter. I have NEVER had to put them in the dark to get them to bloom.

[@plantvibrations]

Yes exactly! Doing it that way they naturally get the correct amount of darkness.

[@kathryncustadio]

That's exactly what my sister does.. She leaves then out on a South facing porch and then brings them in when the temps drop into the 50.. They explode! It's beautiful

[@patrecedearman1455]

When you bring it inside for the winter. Where is the lication

[@jimmiesaylor387]

I've always been afraid to put them outside. Do you treat them with something before you bring them back inside to make sure they don't have bugs or spider mites ?

[@richardmccarley281]

@@jimmiesaylor387 nope. If there are some spider webs on them, I just set the pot in the sink and wash them off

[@lorettemainville688]

Hello from Ontario, Canada. My Thanksgiving Cactus is finally flowering more than two or three flowers. But, our Thanksgiving is in October and the plant just flowered last week for the😅 American Thanksgiving. That being said, I now call it my November cactus or my American cactus.😉💕

[@plantvibrations]

Hahah I forgot your Thanksgiving is in October!

[@briannathompson88]

That’s so cute ! Your American cactus 🌵 😂❤

[@eddiefniii]

Bought my Thanksgiving cactus last year in one of the box stores I repotted it in the spring. It’s on my back porch. I live north west of Houston. It’s in pretty much full shade a little bit of afternoon sun, but not very much. I live out in the country so it’s dark at night. It is absolutely covered in blossoms and buds right now Absolutely stunning. So when I bought it, of course all the blooms fell off of it, but I still nurtured it and this year it is putting on quite a show and it’s probably doubled in size. So I bought three more and I’ll do the same thing for them so the back porch It’s just perfect for them and they get zero sunlight. Because it’s pitch dark here at night time from 6 o’clock till six in the morning. And I guess that simulated the bud growth.

[@plantvibrations]

Sounds like you found the perfect spot for them!

[@es-hs9fd]

Thank you Devin! I learned a lot from this video!

[@plantvibrations]

You're very welcome!

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

Thank you for all the information. Mine is blooming also but it’s not as big as yours! It’s gorgeous 🎉💚

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks, they can grow to be really impressive!

[@zi6959]

I am STILL struggling to get them blooming!! Seeing urs gives me some hope!

[@plantvibrations]

You can do it!

[@jacquelinecastro5011]

Very nice knowledge of your plants, thank you for sharing.

[@plantvibrations]

You are most welcome!

[@peggymalabuyoc9150]

Hi Devin, Happy Holidays to you and your family! Many thanks for your video and the wonderful content. Your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous! Mine is not as big as yours but she does give me beautiful blooms.🥰. Take care and enjoy your Thanksgiving and Christmas! 👌🪴🥰

[@plantvibrations]

Happy Holidays to you and yours too!

[@TRguy64]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Easter cactus with those fuller blooms! Mind you, I did see a glorious yellow orange Xmas cactus that I really should purchase, will keep my eyes peeled in the coming weeks!

[@plantvibrations]

I think the yellow orange ones are gorgeous!

[@monkeygraborange]

I have two Christmas cactus, both of which are under regular table lamps which are on until around midnight and both of them flower magnificently every year.

[@bellafirst547]

Finally! I think that I may have a lovely Christmas🤷🏻‍♀️ (Easter🤷🏻‍♀️Thanksgiving🤷🏻‍♀️) Cactus! Your invaluable “tips” seem to be paying off! You are great! Have a lovely, colourful Christmas😊!

[@plantvibrations]

Have a wonderful Christmas as well!!

[@goldriderlc]

That's some good information appreciated

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisabrightly]

I just saw one yesterday This is a sign that I need to buy one.

[@plantvibrations]

Get oooonnneee

[@ohio_gardener]

The best fertilizer I have found for my Thanksgiving Cactus plants is used coffee grounds. I sprinkle the coffee grounds on top of the soil and let them slowly water in to fertilize the roots.

[@plantvibrations]

Great tip!!

[@jenmason40]

I am so happy to see your video. I live 8n zone 5b Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 I bought my first Christmas cactus last year & thankful I didn't kill it 😂 I have lots of tiny buds so far. Yours is gorgeous!!!!! My mom has one that is so old & huge. Cheers, I'll be following you. Thank you for sharing your tips

[@plantvibrations]

I hope you get a lot of blooms!

[@abbystone5738]

Great tips! I just bought my first Christmas cactus yesterday.

[@plantvibrations]

You are going to love it!

[@keithchristensen223]

Excellent video!!!

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for watching!

[@taylorboyd1333]

I leave mine outside October 31 or November 15 until the temperature falls below 45. Then I bring it inside, and I get so so many blooms.

[@plantvibrations]

Great strategy!

[@idiosyncraticgirl1]

In about the middle of September, I put my Christmas cactus outside and bring it indoors when the buds have set. It is now blooming like made. This works like a charm.

[@plantvibrations]

That’s a great action plan

[@frannicat]

I just got mine & found one side is fushia & the other is coral colored. It is fabulous. I water it a bit more often then instructed due to heat drying. I have a humidifier near it but don't always turn it on. I have mine on upside-down pot so water runs out easily & it is placed in my Sunroom. Mine, however is in a Southern window which gets cool at night from open drapes but not drafty. Someone I know said coffee grounds help it to bloom if you've tried everything else. I have a grow light on my Gardenia, which sits next to it but the lights are directed on Gardenia so doubtful the Cactus gets light from it. I didn't realize you should not feed it while blooming as I did once. Great info...Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!

[@plantvibrations]

Sounds like you are doing a great job caring for it!

[@rickrattigan8234]

I did what you said to do with christmas cactus an ir blooms for me from Thanksgiving to Easter. I hardly do anything at all. I keep it outside till around October and bring it in the house and give it 12 hrs of light. Thanks so much .

[@plantvibrations]

That’s fantastic to hear, I’m glad it worked for you!

[@1960Connie]

Okay….. so I have to say this is the best channel I have found with information on the Christmas cactus. I’ve learned a lot over the years and I’ve been growing these cat time for quite a long time. My oldest is 20+ years old and still going strong. I’ve shared many cuttings from it and I have many siblings of it myself. It’s still quite large. I’d like to know one thing it’s in a pot that I’ll have to break to get it out. I want to split it into how would you do that if you were me and when is the best time? I usually use cactus soil, my miracle grow and like you I use the Roberta’s Bounty plant food. I do like that for most of my plants. Thank you for your information and I’m so thankful I found your channel. Merry Christmas.🎄(I’m in the Myrtle Beach area, SC area, east coast.)

[@plantvibrations]

Merry Christmas to you! The best thing to do is just lay it on its side and use a hammer and break the pot. You may break some of the foliage but it will quickly grow back. Best to do it around May 1

[@GailJames-q5k]

Extremely informative about Thanksgiving, Christmas cactus. 🌵 Believe mine is Thanksgiving cactus sold as Christmas. Not unusual but living in Texas probably good. I currently have mine inside in a sunny location daily and move to west side which is darker. May move outside nightly for darkness. Thanks for sharing !

[@plantvibrations]

Yes moving outside would be helpful !

[@rickimoler7158]

I'm in Central PA...I put mine on my porch end of August, bring it in when the frost comes in October...by then the buds are forming and I get tons of flowers.

[@plantvibrations]

Yes! That’s the best plan

[@julzb6047]

Wow. Great video! Apparently I'm doing almost EVERYTHING wrong! I couldn't figure out why my (several) cactuses would never bloom. THANK YOU for the info! I'm looking forward to seeing them bloom again! (I guess it's too late THIS year, but next year they will be spectacular!) ❤

[@plantvibrations]

It’s not too late! Put them thru the cool dark cycle now and you’ll have blooms by Valentine’s Day!

[@julzb6047]

Really!? That's great! THANKS!!!! 🎉

[@dianef7619]

Great info! Just curious how to deadhead my Christmas cactus. Thanks!

[@plantvibrations]

Just pluck them off and try not to pull foliage at the same time

[@laveraharper9698]

Beautiful! Some people put a black bed sheet over them for the darkness!

[@plantvibrations]

I’ve never tried that before, but it sounds like a good idea!

[@joanmartin1498]

I've used black plastic trash bags and get a lot of blooms.

[@laveraharper9698]

Just make sure the plant can breathe!

[@barbaracarbone4658]

I have 3 of these and they are loaded with flowers. They even flower a little in the summer. I love them and plan on getting more. Thanks much 🎉🌺 One question: One of my plants has a couple of branches looking sad, they are a reddish color and look like they're dieing. What causes that? I'm going to snip them off.

[@plantvibrations]

They get Reddish In color if exposed to cold temperatures! It’s normal, don’t worry :)

[@millmapl]

I put mine outside from June until the end of September or early October. They usually flower three times a year for me.

[@plantvibrations]

That’s truly the best game plan

[@annaa.5863]

Great video, tfs! New subie here 😊

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks, welcome! I hope you enjoy my content!

[@RandomPersonOnTheLine]

I just grow mine outside. Just have a hanging basket hooked into a tree and mine flowers consistently about the week of Christmas every year. - You should look into other cacti aswell. There a many that put on a big show over winter. For example sulcorebutia arenacea.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into it!

[@johannellapointe635]

Thanks 😊

[@MountainLaurelOasis]

I couldn’t stop admiring your plant. Is that one variety or a mix of three - pink, red and white? If so, I’d love to learn how you did it. Thank you!

[@plantvibrations]

I just planted three into the same pot!

[@chriscarpenter1602]

You need to add the fact they are epiphytic plants, like orchids, which helps a LOT to understanding watering.

[@plantvibrations]

I thought I mentioned they grow amongst crevices etc. but yes understanding their epiphytic nature is key!

[@KarenWest-kz1xi]

I have a new plant . It’s loaded with buds ! Had several blooms . But the blooms Shriveled up! I moved it from in front of windows to closer to my couch in living area . By a Eastern window Will the buds open here ? There are blinds on the window i barely open them during the day ! I watered with a spray bottle. Very little just to keep dirt moist ?? I so don’t want to lose this one it’s beautiful !!

[@plantvibrations]

Did it experience any hot air drafts?

[@thatguy4139]

for me even if they dont bloom i still enjoy them. i have 1 of each

[@plantvibrations]

Their foliage is worth it!

[@mamapenguin6798]

I would like to know if there is a way to keep my plant blooming. Also should i remove the blooms when they start to look wilted or kinda wet?

[@plantvibrations]

I have a video coming out later tonight on those topics

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

I have an old Thanksgiving cactus that i chopped about 6 weeks ago. Placed all the cuttings in chunky soil, and it's blooming! Not profusely but has quite a bit... I didn't think this was possible without a good root system. The roots are just getting started.

[@plantvibrations]

They’re really amazing plants right!

[@rinchhensherpa6972]

Hi Devin 👋 I think I might have seen you on TV sometime ago 🤔 You were selling some plant on a teleshopping network if I'm not mistaken. Am I right ?

[@plantvibrations]

You are correct! That’s my family’s business Roberta’s Gardens on QVC

[@prescillamarie9257]

I was gifted over watered cks..I'm doing.my best to bring it back to.life it is in bloom.right now but most of it is mush looking for.link to cut n save what's still alive ...❤ thanks dev

[@plantvibrations]

It sounds like it should make it through!!

[@אסתרפויכוטונגר]

Have no bright light at all , windows north and west. The porch is also north . What to do ?

[@plantvibrations]

Put it on the north porch!

[@lifesimpressionsfromthetra3421]

It's December 15th. I have a Christmas cactus that is over 100 years old. My great and possibly my great great grandmother had this plant. It was in my grandmother's home for many years until I became the new owner about 7 years ago. This plant has bloomed from October to May every year. However "she" is not putting on blooms this year. But is growing like mad. I did repot this plant this last spring. And only fertilize once a month with worm castings. So any ideas on what it going on

[@plantvibrations]

Did you have a chance to watch the video?

[@ms.lizzypoulos9276]

Hi Devin! I have a thanksgiving cactus. Its about 2 years old. Questions are 1) I have a window that is about 10 ft. away from where I am growing it. Would it be ok (if its not windy out) to open that window at night for the temp. difference it needs? 2) I read another post that said they hate to be moved around. Have you found that to be true? I am def. going to try boxing mine at night. My House is very very bright (everywhere and early in the morning).

[@plantvibrations]

Yes opening the window should do the trick. And no I’ve never had any issues with moving them around, they’re really not finicky imo as long as you make sure the temperature and darkness requirements are met

[@LeslieHumen-lu2ix]

My Thanksgiving cactus has only a few buds. Do you have tips to get more buds/flowers? I didn't fertilize during spring and summer. Could that be cause?

[@plantvibrations]

It’s more likely the temp difference

[@davidhalley9795]

I guess my Thanksgiving cactus isn’t getting the different temperatures throughout the day. It bloomed the first year I put it our downstairs spare room. We don’t heat downstairs unless someone is staying over. It stays in the low 60s at night and maybe up to 66 during the day.

[@plantvibrations]

Maybe time to put it back

[@joanmartin1498]

I have a Thanksgiving cactus that is 12 years the stems are very woody. Ive had long arms fall. Why is that happening. I transplanted it last year. I thought that the branches might have been too heavy. Any suggestions? Thank you

[@plantvibrations]

They get woody over time naturally. You can remove those stems from the base of the plant and they’ll fill in with new fleshy growth

[@patrecedearman1455]

I just started placing mine into a box for 12 hours and light in the daytime. Is it too late for it to bloom for this year? And how long should do this before it will bloom

[@plantvibrations]

And make sure it gets cool at night

[@dai12nao]

I live in Florida and I have one that have 7 years its always out side in my garage and this summer it was the worse for her

[@plantvibrations]

Too hot?

[@hanaaandsanaachannel]

🌺🌸❤️❤️❤️

[@kimhignite6521]

I want to know how to purchase a Christmas cactus not thanksgiving do you know

[@plantvibrations]

Did you see when i show the difference between them?

[@YaniveFurque]

Mine are blooming beautifully, however I have one that never blooms 😢

[@plantvibrations]

Hmm you can’t figure it out?

[@NancyArend-f3q]

Any different advice for an Easter cactus?

[@plantvibrations]

I don’t have enough experience with the Easter cactus to give any differentiating points

[@CarolZeimetz]

🎉9 things that keeps a christmas cactus from blooming

[@pamelaapgar8184]

I just got my Christmas cactus last year so this is my first year having this plant, no flowers right now, I live on the very bottom apartment

[@plantvibrations]

It should be budding up by now

[@mariaernest976]

not so much talking, please, and more showing the technique!

[@plantvibrations]

Ok! Some of the talking points are hard to demonstrate

[@patrecedearman1455]

I just started placing mine into a box for 12 hours and light in the daytime. Is it too late for it to bloom for this year? And how long should do this before it will bloom

[@plantvibrations]

No it will still bloom! Do it for six weeks