Schlumbergera, Christmas tree, Decembrist - these are all the names of a single plant, a representative of epiphytic cacti. This tropical handsome - a very popular houseplant, which fascinates with beautiful flowering. However, sometimes the flowers on the plant do not appear, and most often the reason for their absence is the lack of nutrients in the soil. Today we will tell you how to properly feed the plant to make it bloom.
What is fertilizing?
From the soil the plant receives all the necessary nutrients. Gradually their number decreases, and if in nature they are restored naturally, then in a limited space (in a pot) they have nowhere to be replenished. Accordingly, it is necessary to replenish the amount of nutrients from the outside, by applying fertilizers, so that the plant can grow and develop normally.
All dressings can be divided into mineral and organic. In the finished form they are sold in flower shops. The advantages of such means is that all the elements in them are balanced, and the dosage is calculated for all plants. In addition, with the help of dressings, you can "manage" the growing season of the flower: stimulate to bloom earlier, or delay flowering, increase the green mass.
Did you know? In Brazil, Schlumbergera is known as Flor de Maio (May Flower), because in the southern hemisphere it blooms in May.
General rules and deadlines
When fertilizing flowers, you need not to overdo it, and not to forget about feeding plants, adhering to the golden mean.
There are such rules:
- When using ready-made fertilizers, carefully follow the instructions on the package.
- Make a schedule of fertilizing and strictly follow it.
- Feeding is better in the morning or evening hours.
- Use liquid fertilizer only diluted.
- Always apply fertilizer after watering.
- When applying foliar dressings, an hour later, spray with plain water to avoid burns.
- Replenish the stocks of those elements that lack the flower. Replacing the missing element with another does not make sense.
- Feed the transplanted plant after 2-3 weeks.
- Feed a new plant only after quarantine is over (14 days).
- If it is assumed that a flower struck a disease or attacked a pest, the rooting process goes wrong or the substrate is picked up in error, do not apply any fertilizer until you correct the situation.
- The Decembrist can be fed with a complex fertilizer dosage, less than prescribed 2 times.
- Feeding up the Christmas tree is necessary in the spring once a month, and in the summer - twice. The rest of the time, the flower does not need recharge.
Feeding methods at home
Some growers prefer folk remedies, using them as fertilizers. We give the recipes of the most popular ones.
Read also how to water the Decembrist at home.
Wood ash
To use this substance, you need:
- Take a liter of water and 2 tbsp. l wood ash.
- Mix everything thoroughly.
- Mix the plant watering schedule.
Boric acid
To prepare the nutrient fluid you need:
- 3 l of defended water;
- boric acid on the tip of a teaspoon and the same amount of potassium permanganate;
- 3-5 drops of iodine.
Cooking steps:
- Pour water into any container.
- Dilute the acid in a small amount of hot water.
- Paint the water in the potassium permanganate tank in a light pink color.
- Add iodine, prepared acid and mix thoroughly.
Important! Boric acid can burn roots and leaves, so before using it you need to moisten the soil well.
Sugar
The most popular cacti fertilizer is sugar syrup:
- Take a glass of water and 2 tsp. Sahara.
- Mix everything.
- Prepare the solution with water once a week.
Hydrogen peroxide
A mixture of peroxide and water in certain proportions resembles rainwater, which is very useful for flowers:
- Get 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Take 2 tbsp. l means and mix with a liter of water.
- Wash the mixture with a Christmas cage every seven days. Before watering it is necessary to clean the soil from litter.
To make the Decembrist flower better, you can add a little sugar to this mixture and spray the plant with it.
Fresh apples
On the basis of fresh apples, sour green varieties, you can make a good nutritious infusion:
- Crush 1 kg of apples.
- Fill the fruit with 5 liters of water.
- Cork a vessel and leave for 48 hours. Water on a dressing schedule.
Tea
Tea can be used for irrigation and mulching of the soil (tea leaves):
- Take a glass of dry tea leaves and pour 3 liters of boiling water.
- Leave to cool. During this time, the facility will infuse.
- The amount of infusion used at a time for replenishment is the same as the amount of water with ordinary watering.
Important! You can prepare the infusion on green, black, herbal tea. The main thing that he was without additives.
Signs of improper feeding
If the flower is incorrectly fed, then:
- the leaves will begin to turn yellow;
- the stem will dry out;
- segments shrivel;
- foliage will fall;
- will not form buds.
Additional care tips
Caring for a Decembrist is not only in timely feeding - if you do not follow all the rules, then you can not wait for flowering:
- Intense illumination is useless to him, so do not place it on the south and west windows.
- In the summer, take it to the air in the shade.
- In the summer, carry out regular spraying.
- Do not move the flower from place to place before flowering and during it, otherwise it will drop all the buds.
- For irrigation, use only warm and soft water.
Fertilization is a very important procedure for indoor plants: without them, they can not normally grow, develop, blossom. You can feed not only ready-made fertilizers, but also means prepared independently from the available products.
