The leaf cactus, particularly well-known are the Christmas cactus and Easter cactus, delights with its beautiful flowers. But occasionally the flowers don't bloom at all. Why is the leaf cactus not blooming and what can you do about it?
Why isn't my leaf cactus blooming?
If the leaf cactus does not bloom, it may be due to incorrect overwintering, inadequate care or too young age. Keep the cactus cooler during the dormant period, water and fertilize regularly and find out about the individual care needs of the species.
What to do if the leaf cactus doesn't bloom?
If the leaf cactus blooms little or not at all, it is either too young or the care is not correct. Many leaf cactus species only bloom after a few years.
Above all, the form of overwintering plays an important role. If the leaf cactus is kept too warm in winter, it will not bloom.
Leaf cacti come in many different types
The number of leaf cactus species is huge. They differ not only in the shape and color of their flowers, but also in their care requirements.
If your leaf cactus is not blooming, find out what type your Epiphyllum is and what care it specifically needs.
Proper care of leaf cacti
In general, the following care measures must be observed when caring for a leaf cactus:
- Pouring
- fertilize
- Cutting flowers
- make dark by the hour
- overwinter properly
Unlike other types of cactus, the leaf cactus doesn't like drought at all. You must water an Epiphyllum regularly during the growth phase without causing waterlogging. The leaf cactus also needs sufficient nutrients, which you provide to it in the form of fertilizer.
Some varieties such as Schlumbergera require several hours of complete darkness each day to develop flowers.
Keep cooler in winter
The leaf cactus does not tolerate frost. The temperatures at the location should never fall below ten degrees. If you care for it outside in the summer, you have to bring it inside in time in the fall to overwinter.
After the flowering phase, which for most leaf cactus species ends in autumn, the leaf cactus needs a rest phase in which it is cooler than in summer. During this time, temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees are ideal.
If the cooler phase is not observed, the leaf cactus will bloom very little or not at all in the following year.
Tip
The leaf cactus requires little care. He always appreciates a bright location. However, he doesn't like direct midday sun, for example in a south-facing window.
