The Decembrist is an amazing, but now familiar perennial flower on the windowsills of gardeners. It is known to many under other names: zygocactus, or Schlumberger. A plant is called a Decembrist because it is in the month consonant with the name that the active formation of buds occurs. But in order to be able to observe delicate blooms every year, you need to know what kind of care a flower needs and when a Decembrist can be transplanted.
Plant description
Homeland Schlumbergera is South America. The flower belongs to the cactus family, despite the absence of the usual spines. In the wild, zygocactus is located on the branches of trees; it has a hot and humid climate. At the same time, the Decembrist does not parasitize, eating the sap of the trees on which it grows. Nutrients and moisture are obtained from precipitation and dust.
The Decembrist is a shrub whose long lashes consist of small rounded or serrated segments up to 6 cm in length. The plant blooms in multi-tiered oblong-shaped flowers. In the wild, Decembrist inflorescences are red or white. But the efforts of breeders have been derived other color variations and forms of plant petals.
The root system of the zygocactus cannot be called powerful, but it is notable for the "search" roots, which contribute to the amazing survival of the species. Thanks to the memorable external data, the Decembrist quickly gained popularity among fans of original plants.
Care Features
Despite the fact that the flower belongs to the cactus family, the technique of its content is different and more similar to deciduous species of domestic plants. In nature, the Decembrist grows on the trunk of a tropical tree, whose shady crown hides the zygocactus from the scorching sun. Around the same conditions, a flower needs an apartment.
For the successful development and flowering of the Decembrist, he should provide a suitable temperature and lighting. Nevertheless, caring for the plant is not complicated. Just remember a few rules.
Lighting
Zigocactus needs a sufficient amount of light, but not bright and scattered. Direct sunlight can injure the delicate leaves of a flower. In the spring and summer, when the sun is especially active, the Decembrist should be artificially shaded.
During flowering, zygocactus is particularly sensitive to light. A wayward plant does not like when its position relative to the sun changes dramatically. Experienced growers are advised to move the Decembrist as little as possible. Otherwise, he may react by dropping the buds ahead of time. Often the same reaction can be observed if you touch the flowers with your fingers.
Temperature and humidity
Home Decembrist prefers high humidity, so it is recommended to regularly spray its foliage with water. But moisture should not fall on sensitive flower buds and soil. Zigocactus will also be grateful for water procedures: a pot with a plant is periodically placed on a pallet with wet pebbles.
It is not difficult to recreate a suitable temperature regime for the Decembrist. The optimum temperature for it varies from +18 to +28 ° . Therefore, in the room zigocactus will feel quite comfortable.
In the summer, the plant is kept on the balcony to provide its root system with greater oxygen access. In winter, it is advised to lower the temperature to +15 ° C, but not lower than +12 ° C. During flowering, the Decembrist needs +20 ° C. The main thing you need to know is that the flower does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Exactingness to the ground
Since the root system of the Decembrist is quite vulnerable, it does not tolerate stagnation of water in the ground. Therefore, the best choice is a peat or organic mixture. Light loose soil has a high throughput, which will protect the plant from some diseases of the root system and reduce the likelihood of damage from pests.
Peat mix can be prepared independently or purchased in a specialized store. To prepare it, stock up on coarse sand, peat, charcoal and soddy soil. Directly under the ground, it is necessary to make a drainage layer, which will allow not to stagnate excess moisture. Crushed brick or expanded clay will fit as drainage.
When preparing the soil with your own hands, you should not forget about the need to sterilize it. For this purpose, the mixture can be put in the freezer for at least 24 hours or steamed in an oven at 200 ° C for 20 minutes.
The only thing the Decembrist will not like in the soil is clay. Therefore, in no case should you add it or loam to the soil for zygocactus. A flower needs good soil throughput, not nutrition.
When does a Decembrist need a transplant?
There are two situations when it is necessary to transplant the Decembrist. The first is right after its purchase. Most often, the purchased plant is in soil unsuitable for continuous development. Therefore, after acquiring zigocactus, it is necessary to prepare the correct soil mixture. Otherwise, the plant may gradually become depleted and eventually die.
The second situation, when it is necessary to transplant the Decembrist, occurs when the flower has fully mastered the pot in which it grows. This can be seen by the root system of the plant sticking out of the drainage holes. Now he will need a new larger tank.
Choosing the right pot
Zygocactus is a favorite of flower growers. It is very important to know when to transplant a Decembrist at home. And a properly selected pot guarantees half success.
The root system of the plant is very close to the surface of the soil. Therefore, it will fit the wide and shallow capacity. In a too large pot, the Decembrist is inclined to grow roots until he can fill them with all the free space. This trend eliminates flowering in the near future.
An important condition for the growth of zigocactus are drainage holes in the pot. They help to avoid excessive soil moisture and are used for watering by immersion.
Transplant after purchase
Inexperienced owners may be concerned about how and when you can transplant the Decembrist after the purchase. The procedure is carried out immediately as soon as possible, and in the process of transplanting completely get rid of old peat:
- The plant should be carefully removed from the transport container.
- Its root system is completely cleaned of peat.
- If the old soil is difficult to remove, you can use a toothbrush. The roots of the plant must be carefully combed towards their ends.
After inspection for pests, zigocactus is ready to plant in a pre-prepared soil mixture. Also, a new plant must be quarantined for a couple of weeks before being placed next to other flowers.
Scheduled Transplant Rules
When is it better to transplant a decembrist flower? Young plants under 3 years old need an annual transplant. Older zigocactuses are transplanted only once every 4 years. And if necessary, you can update the upper part of the soil mixture.
For a successful result, you should adhere to the recommendations and step-by-step instructions:
- The pot into which the Decembrist is planned to be transplanted should be slightly larger than the previous one. Its width must exceed the height.
- At the bottom of the tank, it is necessary to place a drainage layer 2 cm high and some soil mixture.
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot, after which, with gentle movements, its roots free from excess land.
- Holding hands, the flower is transferred to a new container, placing it on the soil in the center.
- Continuing to support the zygocactus by hand, the soil mixture is sprinkled around the root system.
When the Decembrists have finished transplanting, do not try to tamp the soil. In part, she herself will settle after the first watering. Then you need to add some more soil.
Winter plant care
Winter is a rather important period for this plant. It is in winter that the mesmerizing flowering of zygocactus occurs. Beginning gardeners are interested in when you can transplant the Decembrist in winter. It is after flowering that the most opportune moment comes. This is usually the end of February. Valid transplant until November.
In autumn, buds are tied at the flower. Watering during this period is reduced to a minimum. With the onset of winter, Decembrists are transferred to a room with an air temperature of about +15 ° C. When flowering begins, he will need slightly warmer conditions - up to +20 ° . While the plant is blooming, do not touch or move it. Otherwise, you can provoke the loss of buds.
Watering after transplantation
After finishing planting, he is given a couple of days to recover. Watering is carried out only on the third day after the procedure. When a Decembrist flower is transplanted, minor damage to the root system is possible.
Use a small amount of warm water for irrigation. For spraying in the first couple of weeks, it is also recommended to use warm water. Watering regimen depends on the season. In the summer, once a week is enough. However, if the temperature exceeds 35 ° C, then the plant is watered a little less often, but the frequency of spraying is noticeably increased.
Winter watering is done very carefully. Provided that the room in which the Decembrist is located is warm, a summer watering regime is used. If the temperature drops below +17 ° C heat, then the frequency of procedures is reduced to avoid rotting.
Plant pruning
Proper care, watering and the time when the Decembrist is transplanted can be considered the most important recommendations for the growth and development of this wonderful flower. But do not forget about pruning, which is considered the same significant procedure.
They produce it at the beginning of summer, because it is during this period that the phase of active stalk growth begins. The technology is simple: get rid of shoots that look ugly or grow in the wrong direction.
Experienced growers are advised to avoid the use of scissors. The procedure can be carried out manually, tearing off the shoots at the base with a “twisting” movement. Such care will help make Decembrist even more attractive and positively affects flowering.
Flower propagation
Zygocactus is a fairly hardy plant, the reproduction of which is not particularly difficult. The easiest way to do this is in a vegetative way. The most suitable moment is the beginning of May or the period immediately after flowering. Cuttings are considered an effective procedure.
Cuttings are torn off from the Decembrist in the same way that was used when cutting. The required shoot length is 3-4 links. Twisted cuttings must be dried for several hours, after which they can be planted in moist soil. After planting, the flowers should be covered, for which transparent plastic cups are ideal.
Little Decembrists need shade, so they need to be placed in a place protected from sunlight, which is well ventilated. Periodically, the earth with seedlings should be moistened. The time when it is permissible to transplant a Decembrist-sapling into permanent soil begins within a month. With proper care, young plants bloom in the second year of life.