Providing continued care through the summer ensures your Christmas cactus stays healthy and produces blooms during the following fall and winter. Christmas cactus is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 11 but is grown as a houseplant elsewhere.
1: Move the Christmas cactus plant outdoors in early June. Place it in an area that receives full to partial shade. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
2:
Pinch off long stems between the segments and dispose of them to encourage branching and new terminal buds during early June.
3:
Water the Christmas cactus regularly so the top 1 inch of soil feels moist. Don't allow the soil to dry out completely.
4:
Apply a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer, such as 20-20-20, mixed at half-strength every two weeks in place of one watering. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per quart of water in a watering can, depending on the label instructions, applying the same amount of solution as you normally would use to water the plant. Once a month, water the plants with 1 teaspoon Epsom salts dissolved in 1 gallon of water to provide additional magnesium. Don't do this during weeks that you apply the fertilizer.
Things You Will Need
Watering can
20-20-20 water-soluble houseplant fertilizer
Epsom salts
Tip
If you notice pests such as aphids, red spider mites, mealybugs or scale, apply ready-to-use insecticidal soap to all parts of plant until it's dripping. Apply once a week in the morning or evening until they're gone. Aphids have soft, pear-shaped bodies. Red spider mites are small and sometimes leave webs on the plant. Mealybugs leave a white, cottony substance on the plant and have a waxy appearance. Scale is tiny and flat, and is often mistaken for small bumps on the plant. Do not apply insecticidal soap if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warning
Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases and rot.
