How to plant Decembrist: methods and features of planting

When winter comes into its own and there is bitter frost outside, an unusual cactus that does not have needles blooms on the windowsills of many houses. Beautiful flowers appear at the ends of its dark green shoots once a year. Caring for this plant is simple, but it differs from caring for other types of cacti.

For a zygocactus to appear in your collection, you don’t have to go to the store to buy it. To do this, you need to have material suitable for propagation, which can be taken from friends or relatives, and follow simple planting rules. In this article we will tell you how to plant the Decembrist flower correctly.

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Zygocactus (Decembrist, Schlumbergera): description and characteristics of the plant

This is an unusual forest cactus that grows naturally on tree trunks in the tropics. The root system of the plant is not resistant to various unfavorable factors, this can cause the death of the plant. With proper care at home, zygocactus blooms in November and this process ends in February.

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During flowering, the cactus should not be moved or rotated, as this may cause the buds to fall off. Decembrist does not tolerate dry air, so it is recommended to spray it with a spray bottle. To prolong this process, cover the stem of the flower with ice from the refrigerator or snow. Before talking about how to plant Decembrist, it is necessary to discuss the preparatory work on which the result of this manipulation depends.

Decembrist transplant after purchase

The Decembrist cactus is replanted after acquisition as quickly as possible, making sure the root system is healthy. At the same time getting rid of transport peat. This is especially true for Dutch specimens sold in shipping peat, and you cannot continue to grow the flower in it. Experienced gardeners advise replanting the specimen immediately in order to:

• replace unsuitable peat mixture;
• inspect the roots, making sure there are no pests;
• make sure that it has not rotted due to improper care at the garden market.

Having purchased a plant, you must place it in a quarantine zone away from flowers for a period of 2 weeks. This time will provide an opportunity to ensure that there are no diseases or pests.

Decembrist root system during transplantation

Let's start the transplant:

1. The flower is carefully removed from the container.
2. It is necessary to completely get rid of the peat or soil in the pot. The soil is simply shaken off the roots, and the peat can be easily cleaned off with an old toothbrush. It is carried out from the root collar downwards, and the peat falls off quite easily.
3. The roots, freed from the substrate, are inspected for the presence of physical damage and harmful insects, and planted in a new substrate suitable for growing zygocactus.

Selection of capacity

We should not forget that the roots of the Decembrist are superficial, moreover, they are very sensitive to various unfavorable conditions. If they are overcooled or overheated, or the soil becomes acidic, they rot and die. For planting you need a low and fairly wide pot. In a very deep container, the roots do not reach the bottom, so moisture can accumulate below. This waterlogs the substrate and causes rot.

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When choosing a pot (if you are replanting an adult plant), the size of the new container can be easily determined by placing it in a new old flowerpot. It should enter completely, and there should be a little free space between the walls (no more than a centimeter). Decembrist can be planted in both ceramic and plastic containers.

Which pot to choose

We have decided what time of year is best to replant the Decembrist flower, now we will decide what kind of pot is needed. Making a mistake with the choice of pot means depriving the forest cactus of flowering in the year of transplantation. A pot purchased for growth stimulates the growth of roots, and until they fill the entire container, the cactus will not throw out buds. Choose a container size that is 3-4 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

The root mass of zygocactus is located superficially, so the shape of the pot should be low but wide. The bucket pot shape will not suit the flower. The material from which the container is made remains at the choice of the grower. It is only necessary to note that a ceramic pot will be a more stable, but expensive investment for the gardener, especially if there are a lot of plants. Plastic containers have a wide selection and a more affordable price.

What kind of soil is needed?

To understand how to plant Decembrist correctly so that the plant feels comfortable at home, you need to learn about its preferences in nature and try to bring them as close as possible to indoor ones. Under natural conditions, zygocactus grows on tree branches or between rocks. This provides free access to the roots of air and unhindered outflow of water.

Schlumberger requires a loose, light, air- and moisture-permeable soil mixture. You should select a slightly acidic nutrient substrate (5.5 – 6.5 pH). It's easy to create it yourself. It should include:

• Peat.
• Turf and leaf soil.
• Ground brick chips, expanded clay, perlite, coarse sand, tree bark or pieces of coal.

Large inclusions help make the soil lush and loose. Crushed coal in this composition is used as an antiseptic. Leavening agents and the nutritional part are combined in a 1:2 ratio.

From the ready-made compositions, the Decembrist will use a special soil for succulents and cacti. Add sand and vermiculite to it. Drainage plays an important role. It prevents root rot and waterlogging of the soil. Expanded clay balls, pebbles, and charcoal are used as drainage for zygocactus.

Which soil is better for the Decembrist?

Now it’s easy for a Decembrist to choose good soil; any flower shop has a large selection. Remembering that the Decembrist is a forest cactus, we choose a substrate, buying one with the marking “For forest cacti” stamped on the package. If it is not possible to purchase a substrate, then make it yourself using certain ingredients:

• leaf soil;
• turf soil;
• sand.

When composing the soil yourself, you need to remember that it must be loose and nutritious. All parts of the soil must be taken away from the roadway so that it is not contaminated with gasoline fumes.

soil for replanting Decembrist

Important! The soil you have prepared yourself must be disinfected in a way convenient for the grower.

By frying in the oven, but in this case some of the nutrients are lost, or you can put it in the cold for 24 hours with temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius and possible fungal spores and pest eggs will die after hypothermia.

How to plant Decembrist: general rules

Such an unusual plant in many respects can be propagated in two ways: seeds and cuttings. Most often, gardeners use the second option, knowing well how to plant Decembrist from a leaf. It must be said that one segment will not be enough for this.

Leaves for Decembrist propagation can be broken off only after flowering has completed. It is better to use a shoot with three to four stem segments. They should be removed very carefully, since they are connected to each other very tightly. This flower is propagated by shoots from April to June. By this time, the mother plant has already stopped flowering, so spring and summer are the most favorable time for obtaining new plants.

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Many gardeners who know how to plant Decembrist from cuttings combine this process with pruning the flower, when many healthy shoots remain.

Choosing a cutting

A very old plant should not be used for propagation. Carefully inspect the flower, select a less dense area. Find the place where the young segments end and the old ones begin. The shoot must be healthy, undamaged and consist of at least two leaves. Use a rotating motion to unscrew or break off part of the stem. It's good if it has aerial roots, but don't be upset when there aren't any. In this article we will tell you how to plant a Decembrist shoot without roots.

When separating the cutting, hold the mother plant with your hands. Fill the wound on the flower with sand or charcoal. If you want to grow a lush Decembrist bush, then use several cuttings. Do not use scissors or a knife to obtain them.

Typical mistakes during transplantation

Studying possible mistakes will prevent disease, and maybe even the death of the flower, and will allow the Decembrist to grow for many years and delight with its flowering.

• The pot is the wrong size. The container for transplantation should be slightly larger than the previous one. A large pot will cause the shoots to grow too quickly. All energy will be spent on developing the “green mass” and the formation of inflorescences will stop.
• Transplantation during the period of active flowering, in late autumn and winter. During the formation of flower buds, replanting, even if absolutely necessary, will lead to the death of the entire plant.

Healthy flowering plant

Advice! If the flowering is too abundant, then some of the flowers must be picked. This will allow the plant to develop properly.

Caring for the Decembrist during and after the transplant seems very difficult at first glance. But learning the rules of care and replanting will allow you not only to grow a healthy plant, but also to enjoy its flowering on cold winter evenings.

Preparation of cuttings

The separated parts of the shoots are laid out on paper or cloth and dried for two to three days in a dark, dry place. Prepare drainage. You can use expanded clay that was previously used for another crop. In this case, it is washed and dried. Carefully read the instructions for drainage: some types require moisture before laying. The drainage is soaked in soft, clean water. It is important to know that the maximum period for using expanded clay is six years.

Prepare a homemade potting mix or store-bought potting mix. Soil prepared independently must be disinfected with boiling water or by placing it in a preheated oven or microwave for ten minutes. Treat the new pot with boiling water and dry it. You can use disposable plastic cups as the first container.

Landing

So, we have completed all the preparatory work, and it’s time to find out how to plant a Decembrist shoot. In a container one-third filled with drainage, pour soil mixture up to half the height of the pot. Compact the soil a little and water it well. Make a small indentation in the center. If you want to get a lush bush, plant several cuttings, making indentations in accordance with the number of shoots.

The lower tip of the cutting without root is treated with “Zircon” or “Kornevin”. It is planted as if placed on the ground. If the cutting has roots, they should not be deeply buried - the depth should be a maximum of one centimeter.

Decembrist transplant at home step by step

For those who have decided to transplant a forest cactus for the first time, there is a certain methodology with which they can replant without causing physical damage to the plant. Essential points to which you need to pay attention when performing a Decembrist transplant:

1. We select the flowerpot with the correct parameters. To do this, use a thread to measure the diameter of the flowerpot where the Decembrist grows, and purchase a new one that is 4 cm larger in diameter. We make sure that the new container where the flower will grow has drainage slots to drain the liquid after watering.
2. We prepare the right substrate in the right quantity.
3. We put expanded clay on the bottom in a layer of 3 cm. In this case, the size of its fractions should be 1-1.5 cm.
4. Pour soil into 1/3 of the container and place the plant in the center, spreading its roots evenly to the sides in such a way that there are no creases.
5. After the bush is installed in the center of the container, carefully add soil to the level of the root collar. At the same time, lightly compact it with your fingers to remove air from the ground. This will help the plant quickly adapt to the new pot.

Important! The forest cactus should be watered after 2-3 days. Because this time will allow the root system to heal its wounds received during transplantation. If you water the flower right away, there will be a high probability of root rotting.

the process of transplanting the Decembrist into a larger pot

Caring for a young plant

It is not enough to know how to properly plant a Decembrist shoot. After planting the cutting, cover it with plastic wrap or a glass jar. This will create a greenhouse effect. True, many experienced gardeners claim that the plant takes root well if it is provided with free access to air at a favorable air temperature.

Place the container with the cutting in partial shade and keep it at a temperature of +15 to +20 °C and high humidity. Protect the young plant from direct sunlight. Ventilate every day: open the shelter for 30 minutes.

Watering is carried out with settled warm water moderately but regularly. The top layer of soil should always be kept moist. Stagnation of water is not allowed. In about a week, the cutting will give its first roots. Complete rooting occurs in a month. New segments that appear on the cuttings indicate that rooting was successful and the greenhouse can be removed.

Now you can plant the Decembrist in loose and nutritious soil and a prepared pot. How to do this correctly? In this case, most flower growers use the most gentle method of transshipment, which allows preserving the roots of the young flower.

Flowering period and colors

The flowering period begins in late November-early December and ends by January or February. At this time, the flower should not be disturbed again, moved to another place, or even washed to remove dust.

The buds come in different shades depending on the type and variety. Here is a list of the most popular colors of indoor Decembrist flowers (photo below).

• Red. The most common color of Schlumberger's petals. The most popular representatives with this color are Rousselina and Gertner.
• White. The second most popular shade, small inflorescences in mass look very delicate and airy. It can be found in Aspen and White varieties.
• Pink. It was bred as a result of selection, so it cannot be found in nature. Found in varieties Madame Butterfly and Zygocactus Truncated.
• Yellow. The buds of the Golden Charm variety bloom in these tones.
• Orange. It is also a product of selection; the Santa Cruz variety has this fiery color.

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Plant growers identify five main reasons why flowering may not occur.

• Lack of light.
• Too high air temperature - overheating.
• A very large and deep pot.
• Lack of fertilizers.
• Diseases and pests.

Rooting

Cuttings can also be rooted in water. To do this, you need to place the shoot in a container with settled warm water. This must be done in such a way that only half of it is immersed in water. When evaporating, the liquid must be topped up regularly.

If the water becomes viscous and yellowish over time, it has gone bad. In this case, the cutting must be thoroughly washed and placed in a container with clean water. After a week or two, the first roots appear. After this, you can transfer the Decembrist to the ground. You already know how to plant it. Then it is cared for like an adult plant.

How to plant Decembrist seeds?

The seed method of propagating zygocactus is rarely used. It allows you to experiment with flower colors. Decembrist seeds are quite difficult to obtain at home, so it is advisable to purchase them in a specialized store.

If you want to get sprouts from all the seeds, keep moistening the soil. The remaining seeds sometimes germinate even after several months. After about three months, sprouts with two to three segments can be planted in separate containers. Care for young plants is carried out in accordance with the usual care regimen.

Is it possible to replant Decembrist during flowering?

You cannot replant a Christmas cactus in the budding stage; the forest cactus will react by dropping them and the blossoming flowers. During the sprouting of bud spouts and flowering, the container with the plant should not be rotated in relation to the light so that it does not drop the buds. If the zygocactus has released buds and needs to be brought indoors from the terrace due to the cold weather, then a light mark is placed. For example, they stick a match into the ground from the side that was facing the light source. And without turning the container, they carry the Decembrist into the room. This will help preserve the Decembrist flowering that has begun.

Replanting is possible, if necessary, about a month before flowering. But this time falls in the middle of summer, it is hot outside and therefore, after the procedure, a place is selected for the plant where the air temperature will not rise above 26 degrees Celsius.

If the plant is in the flowering stage, but the gardener notices a disease or pest, then in this case it is worth sacrificing the flowers in order to save the bush. You should not wait until the end of flowering, which can last quite a long time. The diseased and damaged plant is replanted, carrying out the necessary treatment.

Important! After such an emergency transplant, your pet needs to be provided with optimal post-transplant care and error-free maintenance for rapid adaptation after treatment.