The Christmas cactus for example, flowers in December in the America's and that is why it is known as the Christmas cactus. How long does a Zygocactus bloom for Christmas cactus set buds in fall during cooler days with shorter daylight hours. They need 12 hours of darkness to trick the plant into pushing out buds. Fertilizing Christmas cactus during the spring and summer months allows the plant to produce healthy growth to support the flowers. The plant also stores energy to fuel the production of buds. How to plant a Christmas cactus. Repot your Christmas cactus every 1-2 years, when the rootball has filled the pot. The best time to do this is in March, when it has come out of its period of rest. Repot into a slightly larger pot – the roots like to be snug. Use a cactus compost or John Innes No. 2 compost with a little grit mixed in for The Christmas cactus, unlike many other cacti, can bloom again in spring if allowed to dry for a few days. If you place your Christmas cactus in an east-facing window that receives an abundance of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness each night, the plant will grow again. When echinopsis cacti bloom, they only last a day. What do you do after Christmas cactus blooms? Fertilize the plant every month after it has bloomed, starting when you see fresh growth at the end of winter or the beginnings of spring. Feed a Christmas cactus with a 50 percent strength 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 plant food diluted with water. A Christmas cactus should be kept away from drafts and moisture, temperature, and sunlight changes after it has flowered and should be watered less after it has bloomed. If you’re using a timer, you should be able to sleep for 12-14 hours at night and at temperatures of 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-12 degrees Celsius). Many people remove spent blooms as flowers fade to keep plants healthy and the garden looking its best. If you want to deadhead cactus flowers, wear thick gloves, especially if you have several plants to work with. Long sleeves may be needed sometimes or long pants. Try to avoid painful pricks when working with your cactus. Buds will start forming at the notches or ends of the cactus leaves. At first glance, they can look similar to new leaf growth. But buds have some distinct characteristics: Shape – Buds are teardrop or oval shaped, whereas new leaves tend to be more rounded or paddle-shaped. Color – Buds will be lighter green compared to existing leaves. In the fall, pinch off the leaves to limit growth and prepare the plant for blooming buds with a short-day treatment. After you take off the leaves, you’ll need to water and adjust the fertilizers to stop the growth of flower buds, not shoots. Flower buds also need short-day treatment. Pick the flowers as they wilt, and you’ll be rewarded The flowers of the Christmas cactus, which bloom in late fall or early winter, can last for up to six weeks. The flowers of the golden barrel cactus can last for several weeks, depending on the specific variety and the growing conditions. Factors that can shorten or extend the lifespan of cactus flowers: OhlABT1.