Please help

Alyssa-

Hello, I have a new christmas cactus that I bought about a week ago and it was opening up new beautiful blooms but now the blooms are starting to wither and darken. I checked the sool and it’s damp but not soggy so I don’t think it’s overwatered. I mist it every day and it stays it a southwest window in my kitchen where it gets bright sunlight that’s partially shaded. I don’t know if I am giving it too much light or what. I did move it quit a bit at first to try and find the perfect spot so that may be the issue. Can I revive the blooms? any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. 

Guernsey Donkey2

Reading your post here Alyssa has spurred me to say that I received a Christmas cactus about a fortnight ago, covered in buds, but so far more than half have fallen off (at least 50).  Most of the buds were tiny, but the remaining couple of dozen buds are starting to open up, which is good.  My plant is also damp but not wet, but I don't mist it.  I am assuming the bud drop was caused by the change in temperature and light.  The shop was very warm (M&S) and very bright, and my lounge is not so warm and in the dark for approx. 12/24 hours.

Alyssa-

That makes perfect sense, it’s probably just adjusting to my environment from the nurseries environment that it had been accustomed too. 

Welshonion

Christmas Cactus drops its flowers if it's moved.  Not quite sure how you are supposed to get the plant home without causing the flowers to fall. 

My Christmas cactus only see the sun through net curtains as they are in the downstairs loo where it is cool.  The flowers individually do not last more than a couple of days, but there are very many of them.

Obelixx

Fluctuating temperatures have more to do with it than moving them.   They want to be in a bright place but out of direct sunlight..   They need a period of rest after flowering and then feeding during their growing season so they produce flowers again.

The RHS has some helpful info here - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=840 

Dovefromabove

The flowers only last about a week ... don't mist them when they're in flower as that will spoil the blooms but they do need plenty of water when in flower.

I've had mine for over 20 years ... I bought them for about 50p each as they were tiny and nearly dead from neglect in a little newsagents.  They live on a northfacing landing windowsill from September to June and in the summer they go outside in a shady spot on the terrace.  Mine bloom twice, sometimes three times a year, usually just before Christmas then again around the end of January beginning of February, and again around Easter time.  

Last edited: 14 December 2017 11:15:35

Dovefromabove

Here are the two that I rescued twenty plus years ago 

Guernsey Donkey2

These are lovely Dove, look really healthy with huge flowers.  Thanks for all the suggestions position and temperature.  I think that since mine is fairly new to my environment it will take a while to acclimatize.  I will put it outside in the summer as suggested and hope for better results next year.

Alyssa-

this is where she lives. I think it’s I. A good place

Dovefromabove

Looks great Alyssa 

Alyssa-

Thank you guys so much for your help!