Although the Easter cactus is considered quite easy to care for, that doesn't mean that it blooms regularly without any problems or effort. He is a bit demanding on this point, but he can be helped quite easily.
Why isn't my Easter cactus blooming and how can I change that?
To get an Easter cactus to bloom, a cool winter rest (12-15 °C) is essential. Water lightly, do not fertilize and receive less than 10 hours of light per day for at least four weeks. After winter rest, water the cactus more again and provide it with special cactus fertilizer every month.
The Easter cactus definitely needs a winter rest so that it will bloom again in spring. As soon as the buds open, you should no longer move your Easter cactus. A change in location can quickly lead to a loss of the attractive flowers.
How can I make my Easter cactus bloom?
Be sure to give your Easter cactus time to rest for the winter. The temperature should be around 12°C to 15°C during this time. Water your Easter cactus only a little and stop fertilizing it until it has the next flowers. Lighting should also be reduced to less than 10 hours per day. The minimum period of hibernation is four weeks.
If your Easter cactus does not bloom despite adequate winter rest, then check your care measures. Is your cactus plant pot big enough? Have you watered and fertilized it enough? You may want to repot your Easter cactus. During the flowering period, your cactus needs a little more nutrients, but once repotted it does not need any fertilizer for a few weeks.
Can I influence the flowering time of my Easter cactus?
If you want your Easter cactus to bloom at a specific time, you can (with a little experience and/or experimentation) “postpone” the blooming time. Start hibernation earlier or later or leave your Easter cactus in its winter quarters a little longer. However, as soon as the first buds appear, you should let nature take its course, move your cactus to its summer location and water it more again.
How to make your Easter cactus bloom:
- Winter rest at around 12 °C
- do not fertilize and water little during winter rest
- less than 10 hours of light per day for at least 4 weeks
- water more again after the buds have formed
- fertilize about once a month after the flowers open until winter rest
- Use special cactus fertilizer (€5.00 on Amazon)
Tip
A cool winter rest is the most important measure to get your Easter cactus to bloom successfully.
