I love my Christmas Cactus BUT?

I've had it for about 8 years and it only bloomed once about 3 years ago. 3 blossoms. I was so excited . They were a beautiful light butterscotch color. It didn't bloom last year and then this year, it got 2 buds on it and they fell to the floor. I found the second one this morning on the rug. The plant itself looks kind of healthy tho. What am I doing wrong? I don't fertilize. Is there a better fertilizer to use for them? Thanks.... Abby

I love my Christmas Cactus BUT?
The trick to getting blooms from a Christmas cactus is long nights. The cactus needs uninterrupted dark for 12 hours each night for about 12 weeks to bloom (it's similar to a poinsettia in this respect). It should be allowed to dry out for the most part, except just enough water to keep it alive, placed in an area where it stays dark for at least 12 hours starting in about October if you want blossoms for the holidays. Just think of it in terms of mimicking its natural winter environment (short days, long nights, little rain) and you should be fine.
Reply:You've been given some good advice. Let me add this: You're going to need cool temperatures for good bud-set (50 to 60 degrees). I leave mine outside (NW Florida) until freezing temps are forecasts. My mom keeps hers in an unheated, but not freezing, room.





Keep it out of direct sun during the summer because it will burn.





Here's a link for you: www.Fernlea.com/xmas cactus
Reply:I have a few ,so I know this. You should go to Wal-Mart and get their cactus soil.
Reply:I have a couple of them one is 17 years old and the other one is 6 years old, they are in my living room facing South behind a sheer panel that sends or let in partial sun ,keep them away from the cold air blown in the Summer from the air conditioner and from the heat in the Winter. I was fortunate to have them both bloom twice a year. One is of a salmon colour and the other one is white with a touch of fuchsia . They are a very forgiving plant .
Reply:I leave mine in a east window so it gets good morning sun. All year long I water them when they get dry (about every 2 weeks)unless they have buds then I water them every couple of days but don't let them stay wet, and thats it. I have not transplanted them since the first time I bought them (at least 5 years or more. I only put them in a slightly larger pot then what they were in and I get blooms every year. Right now my Thanksgiving cactus are in bloom.( I do have ,I think it is an Easter cactus that has rounded leaves that I have not gotten to bloom and I have had that at least 5 years. I think that is the one that needs 12 hours of dark. I am trying that this year.)
Reply:Terry is right. It's more a matter of temperature than light.


Christmas cactus do need cold temps to bud out and that is why I also leave mine outside until temps drop to about 40 degrees. It is also true that they need longer dark periods, but it does not need to be uninterrupted dark. When I bring my Christmas cactus inside it lives in my bathroom where it stays cold all winter do to lack of a heating duct and gets daytime and even some night time light and it still blooms beautifully. It only needs to experience longer nights, not necessarily darker nights. Try what Terry suggests and next year you may have a huge bloom.


Good Luck