When it comes to watering Christmas cactus, we all have opinions on how often to water them. This is because the cactus can thrive in their natural habitat of the desert with little water.
While it is true, you cannot say that for the Christmas cactus all the time. They need an appropriate amount of water to grow efficiently. Stay with us, we provide you with a clear guide on how often to water the Christmas cactus.
1. Check Up Soil Moisture
The first thing you need to know before watering a Christmas cactus plant is to evaluate the moisture level. You should water the top one-third as you feel the dryness of your soil.
The simple way helps to prevent overwatering, as it is one of the major reasons to cause serious issues like root rot. Moreover, it allows the soil to dry out to an extent between watering to keep the cactus healthy.
Put your finger into the soil up to a deep inch to find out the moisture level. It will help you decide to whether or not to water. Meanwhile, you should pay close attention to the soil moisture.
2. Choice of Well Draining Pots
Now comes the second and simple thing: choosing a well-draining pot for your Christmas cactus. It gives the excess water a passage to escape to the soil and prevents soggy conditions. Having still water around the soil for a long period of time leads to problems such as root rot and others.
Besides, it makes the environment ripe for fungal diseases and suffocates the roots. In addition to that, the soil dries out properly between waterings and promises roots to grow strong and healthy.
Aside from checking the soil moisture, you are also to check on the firmness of your Christmas cactus leaves. In case the leaves feel soft to the touch, that is a sign of dehydration within the plant. Healthy and well-hydrated leaves must give the feel of plumpness.
It also helps in showing the signs of underwatering or overwatering in the plant, which is quite harmful for its growth. Always check the soil moisture, too, to make sure you water your Christmas cactus correctly.
4. Do Not Let The Water Be In Standing Water
It is a must to keep the standing water away from the plant at all costs. Unlike desert species of the cactus, the tropical plant that grows in the well-drained soil and roots are highly sensitive to rot. Rot is one of the severe problems in plants, and it can severely damage or even kill them.
After watering, make sure to empty any excess water from the saucer. It helps to prevent the roots from sitting in water. It is better to use the well-drained soil and pot with the proper drainage system.
5. Amount of Water Requirement
While there is no perfect explanation concerning the frequency at which to water the cactus, generally speaking, there exists a frequency every specie of Christmas cactus requires. It is an approximation that helps reach and adjust to the specific environmental conditions.
Some of the important factors that determine the water requirement for plants are temperature, humidity, and light. Hence, follow the watering schedule based on these environmental conditions and maintain a healthy moisture balance in the soil.
One of the best ways to water Christmas cactus is the misting. It helps to maintain the correct amount of humidity around the plant. Moroever it is quite important during the Christmas cactus blooming period. You should lightly mist the plant every few days to maintain the natural humid environment.
During the bloom, the plant is sensitive to the environment, so you have to mist longer to provide extra humidity. When you must, try to not mist the foliage and also maintain the timing to mist them.
7. Water in the Early Morning
The daily routine of watering Christmas cacti in the early morning is a fantastic habit. The early morning watering gives the plant the time to absorb the moisture during the day and also the time for photosynthesis. The timing allows the excess water on the leaves to evaporate and decreases the risk of fungal diseases.
Besides, the morning watering also gives the plant enough amount of moisture to stay through the warmer parts of the day. In addition, watering in the morning allows you to gauge their hydration needs better and make any necessary adjustments to your watering routine.
8. Soak Method
When you see the dry soil surface of the Christmas cactus. This means that the soil surface is hard and does not allow for the immersion of any water. Then you should use the soak method.
Place the pot in a pan filled with water and soak them for 30 minutes. As you complete the soaking then, drain the excess water. One of the best parts about this method is that it works like a charm for the compacted soil or when the plant has been neglected for a while.
When we say you should maintain the right watering schedule, the seasonal change impacts it the most. In the dormant period, late fall to early winter, the cactus requires less water. This is because the plant enters the resting phase and has slow growth.
Your cactus will require less frequent watering. On the other hand, during the growing season in spring and summer it need more frequent watering as it actively develops new growth and blooms. At the same time, keep a look at the soil moisture and plant's condition.
10. Temperature Change
Besides seasonal change, another factor is the ideal temperature for watering the Christmas cactus. Maintain the plant in a warm environment within 70°F to 80° F. This ensures very good growth and blooming. With rising temperature, there may be a need for frequent watering.
This is because a higher temperature accelerates the evaporation of water in the soil. In the case of a colder temperature, you must minimize the frequency of watering. With cooler conditions, the plant grows slowly and thus needs less water.
Also, regular monitoring of both the temperature and moisture levels in the soil will allow you to provide the best care for your plant.
11. Maintain A Good Airflow
Good air circulation is key to the healthy growing Christmas cactus. Adequate airflow helps prevent issues such as rot. These can live in a stagnant environment.
To promote airflow, avoid placing your cactus in crowded areas or near other plants that can obstruct ventilation. It is better to keep it in a location where it can receive gentle breezes. These can help to maintain the humidity level and also improve healthy growth
12. Water Thoroughly
When you are watering the Christmas cactus, it is quite important to keep the balance between thorough watering and restraint. As you water, do it minutely as it allows the water to flow freely in the soil until it drains out of the bottom of the pot.
Moreover, do not water again until the soil has partially dried out.
13. Flush The Soil
One effective way to maintain the ideal health of your Christmas cactus is to flush the soil once or a few times every few months. As time passes, salt can accumulate in the soil due to the increased application of fertilizer or the presence of minerals in the water supply.
To flush the soil, you should water thoroughly and repeatedly until the excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot. Repeat this process a few times to ensure that any accumulated salts or minerals are flushed out.
14. Use Filtered or Distilled Water
The quality of water matters, whether it is filtered or distilled water. It is to avoid high calcium content and other minerals that can harm the plant. These minerals often found in tap water that can build up in the soil over time.
It potentially cause the issues such as leaf discoloration, stunted growth, or even damage to the roots. Meanwhile, the use of filtered water also provides a cleaner hydration source for your Christmas cactus for healthier growth and more vibrant blooms.
When to Water a Christmas Cactus
As you know the ways of watering Christmas cactus, you also need to know when to water them. These are yet another factor that helps to give the plant time to grow adequately.
Check the Climate
The climate for your Christmas cactus plays an essential role in its wearing needs. During warmer conditions, the plant requires frequent watering to compensate for escalating evaporation.
On the other hand, cool weather requires less watering in humid environments. You should look at the local weather conditions and maintain care accordingly to ensure that your cactus thrives.
Evaluate the Moisture
The next thing to do is check the moisture level on a regular basis. A good practice is to look in the top inch of the soil: it feels dry to the touch. Besides, there are signs like shriveled leaves or wilting that can also be the signs.
These can also be a sign of stress. You can also use the finger method to test the moisture, or for a better result, you can use a moisture meter. These can give you an accurate amount of moisture.
Carry The Pot
It may be surprising to carry the pot to know that it is time to add water. To assess the need for watering, bring the pot and check its weight.
Well-hydrated plants can feel heavier due to the moisture in the soil, while the dry pot is a bit lighter. The tactile method can help you determine if it’s time to water, especially when you are not sure about the soil moisture alone.
Inspect Potting Mix
The last and essential part is to inspect the potting mix. These can give an insight into the watering needs of your Christmas cactus. Make sure that the mix is well-draining and absorbs moisture without becoming soggy.
If the soil appears to be compacted, it is time to replace them. The proper amount of potting mix helps to give the plant the extra right moisture balance and support the health for your cactus.
Unlike the desert cactus, the Christmas cactus requires certain equipment for watering, including how often and how much. So, let's find out the Christmas cactus water requirement to help you create the ideal water routine.
Watering Frequency
Christmas cactus requires water every two to three weeks. But it depends on the environmental condition. During the growth season, you might have to increase the watering requirement. It should be around two times a week.
Water is only available once a month during the dormant period. Regardless of the frequency of the water, sometimes the climate can be warm or cold, so you should adjust the frequency accordingly.
Watering Method
Watering the plant thoroughly is the simplest and best method. For the best measure, use lukewarm water to ensure it saturates the soil until it drains from the bottom of the pot.
Do not let the pot sit in standing water, as this can cause soggy soil conditions. If the soil surface is hard and does not immerse water, try putting the pot in a plate of water for about 30 minutes to allow the soil to absorb moisture properly.
The neglected factor in watering Christmas cactus is the quality of water. Poor quality water can cause destructive results for your cactus plant. At the same time, you use high-quality water to avoid unwanted nutrients.
Rainwater
Rainwater is one of the best sources for watering if you live in an area with plenty of rainfall. It is free of chemicals and contains natural nutrients that help for healthy growth.
On the other hand, rainwater has a neutral pH suitable for many plants. However, it should be collected after the initial rain to avoid contaminants from the collection surface.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is purified through boiling and condensation. As it can help remove impurities and minerals. While it is free from harmful chemicals, it lacks essential nutrients that plants need for growth.
If using distilled water, consider providing a balanced fertilizer to provide the necessary supplemental minerals.
Tap Water
One of the most common uses of water for plants is tap water. But the worst part is it contains chemicals like chlorine, lead, and fluoride. These can be very harmful to sensitive plants.
Giving time to sit for 24 hours can help dissipate chlorine. Although, the hardness of tap water can lead to mineral buildup in the soil over time.
Underwatering in Cactus
Underwatering is also very common in cacti. This, if considered in the long run, can be very harmful to your cactus. Better look out for these signs that show they need more moisture.
Signs of Underwatering in Cactus
Wrinkled Appearance: The most obvious evidence of underwatering is that it looks wrinkled. When a cactus does not get enough water, it does not look as plump as before.
Dry and Brittle Stems: The underwatered cactus develops dry and bottle stems, which are quite hard to touch. The usually normal thick stem appears thinner.
Stunted Growth: Poor water supply can have its effects on the growth of the cactus. When you realize that your cactus isn't growing fast enough, then it is under watered.
Discoloration: The cactus starts to change color from light green to yellow. Its discoloration provides clues about its need for hydration.
Drooping or Wilting: In extreme measures, the cactus will take on an almost droopy look, as if it is beginning to wilt. Its pads or leaves will appear limp.
Overwatering in Cactus
Overwatering is also one of the common issues in cactus plants. Since many people may tend to observe the sign of underwatering and supply a little more water, that is what can cause overwatering.
Overwatering Signs in Cactus
Soft Stems: Overwatering causes the rot spots on the cactus. Further, it makes the stems soft. If you find it from touching, which develops a squishy texture, it is because of undue moisture content.
Root Rot: One of the most common issues with cacti is overwatering, which can lead to root or stem rot, among other issues. Overwatering can easily be prevented from happening simply by allowing the soil to completely dry between waterings.
Foul Smell: You can tell if your cactus has a repugnant smell emanating, which could mean that it is rotting from overwatering. Such areas develop a mushy texture after the smell.
