Decembrist - an amazing, but now familiar perennial flower on the windowsills of flower growers. It is known to many under other names: zygocactus, or Schlumberger. The plant is called the 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 flowering every year, you need to know what kind of care the flower needs and when the Decembrist can be transplanted.
Description of the plant
Schlumbergera is native to South America. The flower belongs to the cactus family, despite the absence of the usual thorns. In the wild, zygocactus is located on the branches of trees, it is used to a hot and humid climate. At the same time, the Decembrist does not parasitize, feeding on the sap of the trees on which it grows. Nutrients and moisture it is obtained from precipitation and dust.
Decembrist is a shrub whose long lashes consist of small rounded or jagged segments up to 6 cm in length. The plant blooms with multi-tiered flowersoblong shape. In the wild, Decembrist inflorescences are red or white. But through the efforts of breeders, other color variations and shapes of the petals of the plant were bred.
The root system of Zygocactus cannot be called powerful, but it is notable for "search" roots, which contribute to the amazing survival of the species. Thanks to the memorable external data, the Decembrist quickly gained popularity among lovers of original plants.
Features of care
Despite the fact that the flower belongs to the cactus family, the technique of its maintenance is different and more similar to deciduous species of house plants. In nature, the Decembrist grows on the trunk of a tropical tree, the shady crown of which hides the zygocactus from the scorching sun. Approximately in the same conditions, the flower needs an apartment.
For the successful development and flowering of the Decembrist, he should provide a suitable temperature and lighting. However, caring for the plant is not difficult. Just a few rules to remember.
Lighting
Zygocactus needs a sufficient amount of light, but not bright and diffused. Direct sunlight can cause injury to the delicate leaves of the flower. In spring and summer, when the sun is especially active, the Decembrist should be shaded artificially.
During flowering, Zygocactus is especially sensitive to light. The wayward plant does not like it when its position relative to the sunchange drastically. Experienced flower growers advise moving 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. The zygocactus will also be grateful for water procedures: a pot with a plant is periodically placed on a tray with wet pebbles.
It is not difficult to recreate a suitable temperature regime for a Decembrist. The optimum temperature for it varies from +18 to +28 °C. Therefore, the zygocactus will feel quite comfortable in the room.
In the summer, the plant is kept on a balcony to provide its root system with more oxygen. In winter, it is advised to reduce the temperature to +15 °С, but not lower than +12 °С. During the flowering period, the Decembrist needs +20 ° C. The main thing you need to know is that the flower does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Demanding on the ground
Since the root system of the Decembrist is quite vulnerable, he does not tolerate stagnant water in the ground. Therefore, the best choice would be a peat or organic mixture. Light loose soil has a high throughput, which will protect the plant from certain diseases of the root system and reduce the likelihood of damage from pests.
Peat mixture can be preparedindependently or purchased in a specialized store. To prepare it, you should stock up on coarse sand, peat, charcoal and soddy soil. Directly under the ground, it is necessary to make a drainage layer that will allow excess moisture not to stagnate. Crushed brick or expanded clay will do as drainage.
When preparing the soil with your own hands, you should not forget about the need for its sterilization. To this end, the mixture can be put in the freezer for at least 24 hours or steamed in the oven at 200 ° C for 20 minutes.
The only thing the Decembrist doesn't like about soil is clay. Therefore, in no case should you add it or loam to the soil for zygocactus. The flower needs good soil carrying capacity, not nutrition.
When does a Decembrist need a transplant?
There are two situations when it is necessary to transplant the Decembrist. The first - immediately after its purchase. Most often, the purchased plant is in soil unsuitable for permanent development. Therefore, after acquiring a zygocactus, it is necessary to prepare the correct soil mixture. Otherwise, the plant may gradually become exhausted and eventually die.
The second situation, when it is necessary to replant the Decembrist, occurs when the flower is fully mastered in the pot in which it grows. You can notice this by the root system of the plant sticking out of the drainage holes. Now he will need a new larger container.
Choosing the right pot
Zygocactus -florist's favorite. It is very important to know when to transplant the Decembrist at home. And the right pot is half the success.
The root system of the plant is very close to the soil surface. Therefore, a wide and shallow container is quite suitable for him. In a pot that is too voluminous, the Decembrist tends to grow roots until he can fill all the free space with them. This trend excludes flowering in the near future.
An important condition for the growth of zygocactus are drainage holes in the pot. They help to avoid excessive soil moisture and are used for immersion irrigation.
Transplant after purchase
Inexperienced owners may be concerned about how and when to transplant a Decembrist after purchase. The procedure is carried out as soon as possible, and in the process of transplantation, the old peat is completely removed:
- The plant should be carefully removed from the shipping container.
- His root system is completely cleared of peat.
- If the old primer is difficult to remove, you can use a toothbrush. The roots of the plant must be carefully combed towards their ends.
After inspecting for pests, the zygocactus is ready for planting in a pre-prepared soil mixture. Also, a new plant needs to be quarantined for a couple of weeks before being placed next to other flowers.
Regulations for scheduled transplants
When is it better to transplant a Decembrist flower? Young plants up to 3 years old need an annu altransplant. Older zygocactus are transplanted only once every 4 years. And if necessary, you can update the top of the soil mixture.
For a successful result, you should follow the recommendations and step-by-step instructions:
- The pot in which the Decembrist is planned to be transplanted should be slightly larger than the previous one. Its width must exceed its height.
- At the bottom of the tank, you need 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 are freed from excess soil.
- Holding with hands, the flower is transferred to a new container, placing it on the soil in the center.
- Continuing to support the zygocactus with your hand, sprinkle the soil mixture around the root system.
When the transplanting of the Decembrists is finished, do not try to compact the soil. Partially, she herself will settle after the first watering. Then you need to add some more soil.
Caring for the plant in winter
Winter is a pretty important period for this plant. It is in winter that the bewitching flowering of zygocactus occurs. Novice flower growers are interested in when the Decembrist can be transplanted in winter. It is after flowering that the most opportune moment comes. Usually it is the end of February. Transplantation is allowed until November.
Even in autumn, buds are tied at the flower. Watering during this period is reduced to a minimum. With the onset of winter, the Decembrist is transferred to a room with an air temperature of about +15 ° C. When does it startflowering, it will need slightly warmer conditions - up to +20 ° С. While the plant is in bloom, it should not be touched or moved. Otherwise, you can provoke the loss of buds.
Water after transplanting
After planting the plant, he is given a couple of days to recover. Watering is done 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 advised to use warm water. Watering regime depends on the season. In the summer, once a week is enough. However, if the temperature exceeds 35 ° C, then water the plant a little less often, but significantly increase the frequency of spraying.
Winter watering is done with extreme caution. Under the condition of a warm room in which the Decembrist is located, a summer irrigation regime is used. If the temperature drops below +17 °C, then the frequency of procedures is reduced to avoid decay.
Pruning the plant
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 an equally significant procedure.
It is produced at the beginning of summer, because it is during this period that the phase of active growth of stems begins. The technology is simple: you should get rid of shoots that look ugly or grow in an unnecessary direction.
Experienced growers advise avoidingscissors. The procedure can be carried out manually, tearing off the shoots at the base with a “twisting” movement. Such care will help make the Decembrist even more attractive and has a positive effect on flowering.
Flower reproduction
Zygocactus is a fairly hardy plant whose propagation is not particularly difficult. The easiest way to do this is vegetatively. The most suitable moment is the beginning of May or the period immediately after the end of flowering. Cuttings are considered an effective procedure.
Cuttings are torn off from the Decembrist in the same way that was used for pruning. The required shoot length is 3-4 links. The twisted cuttings must be dried for several hours, after which they can be seated in moist soil. When planting is complete, 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 ground with seedlings should be moistened. The time when it is permissible to transplant a Decembrist seedling into permanent soil comes in a month. With proper care, young plants bloom in their second year.
