Rozhdestvennik, Decembrist, Zygocactus - this plant has many names, but it is invariably associated with winter holidays, since it was at this time that the florists delighted with numerous bright lights of Decembrists. Their flowers are usually raspberry or coral, but thanks to the efforts of breeders, more and more new hybrids with salmon, lavender, yellow, and purple appear. Decembrists are plants that are unpretentious in care, so growing them yourself in your mini-kindergarten on the windowsill is a pleasure.
Decembrists: flowers for the New Year holidays
Decembrists come from Brazil, where they grow in the rainforests as epiphytes, attaching their roots to stones or tree trunks and receiving food through deciduous cover. Hence, some features of the content of the Christmas at home.
Planting and reproduction
Decembrists - flowers that do not need a large deep pot for a comfortable existence, since their root system is poorly developed and is located in the upper soil layer. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the tank to prevent moisture stagnation and subsequent root decay. Soil for Decembrists is better to choose airy, loose and nutritious. Rozhdestvennik does not need a frequent transplant: once every 3-4 years is enough. It is better to carry out this procedure in March – April, when the flowering period ends and the plant is not so sensitive.
If during transplantation it turns out that the roots are damaged (rotted or dying), you need to remove all these parts, rinse the roots with warm water, dry and only then plant in a fresh soil mixture.
Decembrists propagated by seeds or cuttings. To prepare the cuttings, mature shoots, consisting of several segments, are separated (but not cut) from an adult plant, dried for a while, and then placed, without deepening, on moist soil.
WateringWatering a Christmas like moderate. Decembrists are flowers that, like all epiphytes, love moisture, but not waterlogging, especially in the cold season and during dormancy. Stagnant moisture can cause decay and death of the roots and even death of the plant. It is better to water with warm, settled water.
Location in the apartment: temperature and humidity
Originally from the tropics, the Christmas tree tolerates both bright lighting and partial shade equally well, however, like other epiphytic cacti, it is afraid of direct sunlight. During active growth and flowering, it is better to transfer the plant to a warm place, and during dormancy to a cool one. By lowering the temperature in the room, you can also "delay" the beginning of flowering. So the ideal solution for Decembrist is diffused lighting, moderate humidity and air temperature.
Features of care during floweringWell, finally, the Decembrist decided to bloom the flower. How to care for him at this time? It is clear that during this period, the Christmas tree is especially vulnerable and sensitive, so any change in the environment, whether it is a jump in humidity, temperature, changes in lighting or the angle of incidence of sunlight, can lead to the shedding of buds. Therefore, try not to injure the flower by rearranging it to a new place, to protect it from scorching sunlight.
As you can see, by providing simple conditions and paying a little attention, you can ensure that your favorite Decembrists flowers will delight you with unusually bright and abundant inflorescences. The photos presented on this page are an excellent confirmation of this!