{"product_id":"christmas-cactus-5-pot","title":"Christmas Cactus - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eSchlumbergera bridgesii, the Christmas Cactus, is a Brazilian epiphytic cactus loved for its arching, flattened green stem segments and spectacular tubular flowers in pink, red, magenta, white or orange that appear in the cooler months. Unlike desert cacti, it enjoys richer, well-draining soil, bright indirect light and more regular moisture. Its cascading habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, shelves and bright windowsills. Easy to propagate from stem segments and long-lived, it becomes a treasured heirloom plant. With a cool, short-day rest period it reliably bursts into bloom, bringing welcome colour to homes in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCactaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastal mountains of southeastern Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-60 cm cascading\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlat, segmented green stems (no true leaves)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink, red, magenta, white, orange\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate autumn to winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubtropical; epiphytic, frost-tender\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright indirect light; no harsh direct sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep lightly moist when growing; reduce after bloom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, airy, well-draining mix with peat\/coco and perlite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16-28C; cool nights aid budding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalanced feed monthly during growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePinch segments after bloom to bush up\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 3-4 years after flowering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem-segment cuttings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMealybugs, fungus gnats, root rot\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic to pets and people\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eExcellent flowering houseplant for hanging baskets, shelves and bright windows; a popular festive gift for winter colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India grow indoors in bright indirect light; to trigger blooms give it cool nights and 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for a few weeks in late autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water a Christmas Cactus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike desert cacti, keep the soil lightly moist when growing, watering when the top inch dries, and reduce watering after flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright indirect light is best. Direct harsh sun scorches the segments, while deep shade reduces flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the Christmas Cactus safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safe choice for pet households.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I make it bloom?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it cool nights and 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for several weeks in autumn, with reduced watering, to set flower buds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the buds dropping off?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBud drop is usually caused by sudden changes in light, temperature or watering, or by moving the plant once buds form. Keep conditions steady.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwist off a Y-shaped section of two or three segments, let it callus a day, then plant in moist airy mix where it roots easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen and how do I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot every 3-4 years after flowering using a rich, well-draining epiphytic mix; it actually blooms better when slightly pot-bound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it is primarily an indoor plant and does very well on a bright windowsill or in a hanging basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the stems turning red or limp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eReddish, limp segments often signal too much direct sun, cold stress or watering issues. Adjust light and check that drainage is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertilizer should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed a balanced diluted fertilizer about once a month during active growth in spring and summer, then pause before the blooming rest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51047994065142,"sku":"PLT-CHRISTMASCAC-P05-NA","price":100.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-g-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-succulent-plant.jpg?v=1782711009","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/christmas-cactus-5-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}