Holiday cacti are triggered into bloom by a combination of temperatures and day length. Buds are set following several weeks of cool nighttime temperatures and short days. When you buy a blooming holiday cactus, it has already received the proper treatment. To encourage your plant to rebloom again next season, expose it to 3-4 weeks of temperatures between 40º and 60º, especially at night. At the same time, the nights need to be about 12-14 hours long. After this special treatment, keep the plant where it receives average indoor temperatures and bright light and it should bloom in a few weeks.

To select a healthy beautiful holiday cactus, look for plants that have lots of buds. The flowers should be at various stages of development, some fully open and others in small tight buds. There should be buds at the ends of almost every branch. The "leaves" of the plant should be dark green and turgid (firm, not wrinkly). Avoid any plants that look droopy or have spotted leaves.

How much water do they need?
Unlike their desert cousins, they don't like to be too dry. Allow the soil to just begin to dry between watering. This may require watering every week or two in summer and once every three or four weeks in winter. They tend to need more moisture while they are blooming.

Do they have any special temperature requirements?
Like most blooming plants, their flowers will last longer when they are kept cool (50-60º). During the rest of the season, they are flexible and can tolerate temperatures ranging from 40º to 100º. If you are keeping them especially cool, keep them a little drier.

Do holiday cacti need much humidity?
They thrive with average household humidity when you are keeping them indoors. When they are spending the summer outdoors, they will make use of whatever humidity nature provides. If you have dry, forced air heat in the winter, give them a light shower, an occasionally misting or place them on a humidity tray.

How much fertilizer do they need?
Feed them monthly with an all-purpose water soluble or liquid fertilizer, but avoid feeding them while they are in bloom and for 2 months following bloom.

What type of soil do holiday cacti prefer?
Plants that you purchase should be growing in a high quality, peat-based potting soil. When choosing a soil for repotting, keep in mind that excellent drainage is essential.

How do I repot a holiday cactus?
Allow them to get fairly crowded and root bound before repotting. They dislike being disturbed. As they get older, they look best if they are divided into smaller pots. All repotting should be done just after the bloom.

Will they need any grooming?
Give them an occasional shower or misting to remove dust. Faded blooms and discolored leaves can be removed periodically.

How are holiday cacti propagated?
They are easy. Snip off pieces 2-3 segments long, dip cut end into rooting hormone and allow pieces to dry for several days. Then, gently press the cut end into a high-quality potting soil or soil-less mix, 1/2 inch deep. Water lightly and keep them barely damp, humid and out the direct sun until they have rooted (around 4 weeks).

What causes the buds to drop unopened?
This is usually a response to moving. They resent rapid changes in light, temperature or humidity. It can also be the result of being too warm or under-watered.

Sometimes there are brown spots on the leaves. Why?
Brown spots are the result of either scale or being kept too cold. Scale is a sucking insect and can be easily distinguished from cold damage. Cold damage is actually in the leaf tissue. Scale is on the leaf and can be scratched off. Remove as much of the scale as possible and treat with insecticidal soap, pyrethrins or an oil spray. Plants can also be treated with 2% systemic insecticide granules. Cold damage is primarily cosmetic and doesn't effect the health of the plant.

Why isn't my holiday cactus growing?
This is usually a result of being kept too dry, but can even be caused by being too wet, encouraging root rot. Be sure to feed holiday cacti during the summer.

If segments or stems fall off, what is the cause?
It is a response to a water problem, usually over-watering. Too much water encourages a fungal rot near the base of the stems or in the root system. Once rot begins, it is very difficult to control. Keep affected plants as dry as possible. Applying a fungicide might stop the spread of the fungus, but it won't repair or cure any rot that has already taken place.

What are the fuzzy white flecks?
The fuzzy flecks are sucking insects called mealy bugs. They are usually found where two segments meet. If it isn't a heavy infestation, wipe them off with a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. They can also be sprayed with insecticidal soap or pyrethrins. Watch closely for a re-infestation Left untreated, mealy bugs will cause yellowing and damage the plant.

Why hasn't my plant bloomed again?
Holiday cactus need new growth to bloom. If they have new growth and still no new flowers, they probably didn't get enough long, cold nights to initiate bud set. To help the plant set buds, expose it to several weeks of low night temperatures (40-50º) and keep them where they get at least 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Holiday cacti kept outdoors in fall until the night temps are in the 40ºs are exposed to these conditions naturally and usually bloom 4-6 weeks after you take them indoors.

What makes the new growth pale and thin?
The mostly likely cause is too little light. The plant may also need to be fertilized.