Here are some common knowledge about caring for Schlumbergera, including how to prevent the stems from turning yellow, shedding buds, and dropping flowers. Details are as follows:
Schlumbergera is a type of cactaceae plant native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil. In its natural habitat, it grows on the trunks of large trees or in dark, moist crevices, requiring shaded and humid conditions for growth and development. It is a short-day plant, needing 8 to 10 hours of sunlight each day.
During its annual growth cycle, Schlumbergera has two short periods of dormancy (once during the hottest part of summer and once after flowering in early spring) and two periods of vigorous growth (once in mid-to-late May and once in mid-to-late October). During the autumn growing period, it is important to place the potted Schlumbergera near a sunny window to ensure it receives ample sunlight. It is best to set up a plastic film greenhouse in a wind-protected, sunny corner of the balcony. When the sun shines on the greenhouse, it creates a microclimate inside, ensuring sufficient humidity for the Schlumbergera's growth. Additionally, the plastic film greenhouse can raise the temperature, acting as insulation, typically 5 degrees Celsius higher than the room temperature at night. If there is sunlight, the temperature can be 5-10 degrees Celsius higher than outside. In the cold winter months, you can cover the greenhouse with old cotton blankets or rugs in the evening and uncover it the next morning. This way, the temperature can be maintained at around 15-20 degrees Celsius during the day and not fall below 5-8 degrees Celsius at night, which is conducive to its growth.
When Schlumbergera enters the budding stage, it requires sufficient fertilizer and water, especially an increased application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, with less or no nitrogen fertilizer. This is mainly to prevent excessive growth that may affect the formation of flower buds. Generally, apply a dilute fertilizer solution of well-rotted chicken manure, fishy water, or bone meal once a week. Watering should not be too frequent, only watering when the potting soil is slightly dry.
Additionally, it is important to thin the buds of Schlumbergera. Buds usually start to form in mid-to-late October. The tip of the stem often has 2-3 buds at the same time, at which point thinning should be done, keeping the largest one and removing the rest. Sometimes, a young stem and a bud may grow at the tip of the stem simultaneously, in which case the young stem should be removed promptly to avoid the bud at the tip of the stem withering due to insufficient nutrients.
Schlumbergera, as a short-day plant, prefers semi-shaded and semi-sunny scattered light, avoids direct sunlight, and requires shading and good ventilation during maintenance. Regularly spraying water on the stems can prevent yellowing. If affected by red spider mites, the stems will also turn yellow.
The reasons for bud and flower drop are often due to insufficient nutrients, cold fronts, or excessively dry potting soil. Therefore, when caring for Schlumbergera, it is important to pay attention to reasonable watering and fertilizing, and to avoid cold fronts when winter arrives. Generally, it should be moved indoors for care every year.
Based on personal experience, to make Schlumbergera bloom profusely, it is necessary to ensure at least 12 hours of continuous darkness every day during the 40-70 days before flowering, which is conducive to the formation of flower buds. Even when moved indoors, it is important to avoid excessive light exposure and to ensure proper shading.
The above is the full content on how to prevent the stems of Schlumbergera from turning yellow, shedding buds, and dropping flowers. I hope it can help you, and I also hope that everyone will come to see more plant and flower care knowledge!