Why Your Zygocactus Won't Flower: Easy Fixes

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The Crucial Role of Temperature

You may have wondered why your Zygocactus (Schlumbergera, commonly known as Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus) isn't flowering.   Several factors can affect its blooming, but temperature plays a crucial role.

These cacti require a cool period to initiate the buds.   This usually means a drop in temperature during autumn and early winter. However, it is worth noting that some individuals have reported successful flowering even in high temperatures, such as those experienced in tunnel houses—plants are funny like that!

Quick Tip: Secondary bud sprouting (getting more flowers after the first flush) requires significantly cooler conditions (10–12°C) compared to the first round of buds (15–21°C).

If your Zygocactus isn't blooming, the weather may be too warm where the plant sits, and the plant needs a temperature drop to trigger the process.   Try placing the plant near a north-facing window or a door that experiences cool air—just be sure to keep it out of cold drafts!

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Z54 flowering 2023  

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Light, Rest, and Feeding

Next up are light and the rest cycle, which are all connected when it comes to flowering:

• Avoid Extra Lighting: Having your cactus indoors with additional lighting during the darker months may actually inhibit blooming.   The short days are essential!

• The Rest Period: It is recommended to provide the plant with a rest period by limiting watering when it is not actively growing (usually after flowering and before new growth starts).

• Fertilise Gently: Fertilising should be done lightly and irregularly.   Focus on specific, balanced feeding during spring and autumn when growth and bud development are happening.

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Z 54 Flowering 2022    Same plant, same position.

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Soil, Water, and Avoiding the Rots

If your plant flowers but then struggles to thrive, it could be due to root issues caused by temperature extremes or overly moist soil.

• Root Rot Risk: Constantly wet soil quickly leads to root rot, which will rapidly weaken your plant.

• Drainage is Key: Ensuring the soil is well-draining is critical.   I always recommend allowing the soil to dry between waterings, and of course, using pots with proper drainage holes is essential.  

Some varieties are more sensitive than others, with red-flowering ones being particularly tricky.   If you have one of these, ensuring perfect soil and drainage is even more important!

Z 73 Flowering 2023

My Z 73

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Check Your Cactus Type!

Lastly, if you've tried everything and still see no blooms, are you certain which type of plant you have?  

It is important to ensure that you have a Schlumbergera (the true Thanksgiving or Christmas Cactus) and not a different type of cactus, such as the Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis or Hatiora), as they have different blooming requirements and times.

Remember, my Easter Cacti (Hatiora) are just starting to flower now, in November!

Here is a link to another blog about these plants, where I talk about the various types.   Read it here.

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Z 93 Flowering 2023        

P.S. I never take cuttings of any of these while they are actively flowering, but I always have small starter plants on hand just in case!

You can see my current selection that is available here

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Previous Family photo of my Hatiora or Easter Cactus 2022.   I have since acquired more, so need to take a new group photo.