Part 2 of Jan's post from the archives. For some *&^% reason, we gotta =
go to
three parts. Between my client and the listserv it's inserting blank =
lines
and then gets too long.
Light requirements
Holiday cactus require bright filtered light. I find that indoors during =
a
New England winter, they do well on a brightly lit enclosed porch. I put
mine outdoors for the summer. They need to adjust gradually to the =
increased
light, and require protection from full midday sun. Any lightly shaded =
area
works well. I leave them outdoors as the days get shorter and the nights =
get
cooler. As the sun gets less intense in September or October I find I =
can
move them into nearly full sun. Light is important to flower formation.
I've had plants sitting near a wall set on numerous buds on the side =
away
from the wall, which got plenty of light, and almost none on the side =
next
to the wall, which got less light.
Fertilizer requirements
Fertilize at least once a month with balanced fertilizer such as =
10-10-5. I
use liquid fertilizer fairly dilute at every watering during the growing
period. Stop fertilizing about a month or two before nights exceed 12 =
hours
duration. Given that the equinox is September 21, this means August. =
This
cactus tends to like a rest after blooming, and starts active growth in =
the
spring. Cut back on water and fertilizer during the winter, increase =
when
growth picks up again in the spring.
