Decembrist. Zygocactus. Schlumberger. Christmas. Care, Cultivation, Reproduction. Decorative Flowering. Houseplants. Flowers. A Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

One of the most common indoor plants - the Decembrist pleases with its large and beautiful flowers on the eve of the New Year holidays. The shoots of the Decembrist or zygocactus (Zygocactus truncates - the scientific name of the flowering cactus), consist of segments with jagged edges, do not impress at all with their mediocre appearance, but the blossoming flowers fully compensate for this lack in size, beauty and quantity.

The dormant period of Schlumberger truncated (the third name of the Decembrist) is quite long, from the end of January to the last days of October the plant does not bloom. It feels great on a shaded windowsill and needs abundant watering. The thing is that the homeland of forest cacti, to which the Decembrist belongs, are tropical forests with soil rich in minerals and moisture. Therefore, the plant has nothing to do with desert thorny cacti in the principles of caring for it.

In the summer and autumn months, the Decembrist feels great on a balcony or terrace, away from direct sunlight. This hardening allows the plant to bloom guaranteed in late November and early December.

Another requirement for the appearance of buds on the Decembrist is to reduce the intensity of watering. In October, watering should become rare, the temperature of the content is about 15 degrees. As soon as the buds become noticeable, the temperature should be increased, watering returned to normal mode.

Large flowers of the Decembrist have a diameter of 2.5-3 cm, in length they can reach 5-6 cm. The color of the flowers is varied: lilac, white, bright red and pink with white veins. They stay on the shoots for about two or three days, then fall off. The flowers do not bloom all at the same time, but with a certain consistency, so a feeling of a fairly long flowering is created.

© אבישי טייכר

Cutting of Decembrist shoots is best done in summer, planting them in peat-rich soil. Shoots root easily and bloom by the appointed time, subject to simple rules for caring for them. A tight pot stimulates the appearance of buds on the cactus.

Decembrists planted on the same windowsill with different colors of flowers allow you to create an amazing natural decoration for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

© SabineCretella