Decembrist grows in many homes and pleases with lush, bright colors in the cold season. The flower does not require special growing conditions and unpretentious care, but its root system is very sensitive. To maintain the plant healthy, you need to take care of proper watering. On how to water the Decembrist during the flowering period and during dormancy, what water to use, as well as the rules for caring for a flower - later in the article.
Growing rules
Other names of the Decembrist - Christmas tree, zigokaktus. Represents a bush with long hanging stems, each of which consists of separate segments. During flowering on the plant appear large and bright flowers with elongated stamens.
A distinctive feature of the plant is a weak root system, so for growth it needs to provide certain conditions.
Did you know? The botanical name of the Decembrist - Schlumberger. This name is given a flower in honor of the French grower, engaged in collecting cacti.
Consider them in more detail:
- The flower needs a lot of sunlight, but you can’t put the Decembrist in direct sunlight - it will begin to crumble. In winter, artificial light is used to increase the length of daylight hours.
- The optimum air temperature in the room with a plant is + 22 ... + 25 ° С. In the fall, in the dormant period, you can put a Christmas tree in a cooler room with a temperature of + 12 ... + 16 ° С, but not lower. Do not allow sudden temperature changes.
- Humidity must be high so that the water does not evaporate too quickly from the soil with the flower.
- In the summer, you can move the zigocactus to a balcony or to the street. In this case, the plant can not be put in the shade or draft.
- It is necessary to grow up a zigokaktus in friable soil with high air permeability. You can use a mixture of leaf earth and sand, adding charcoal and peat to it.
How to determine the need of a plant in water?
The need for watering can be judged by the condition of the soil in a flowerpot with a flower. With a lack of moisture, the Christmas tree also changes the appearance, and a prolonged drought can adversely affect the health of the plant.
The following signs indicate a lack of moisture:
- the top layer of earth in the pot is completely dried to a depth of 3-4 cm;
- stems become lethargic and drooping;
- the stem and tips of the leaves begin to turn yellow;
- small aerial roots are formed on the plant.
Important! If the earth in a pot with a flower remains wet, it is not recommended to water the Decembrist. Overmoistened soil prevents air from reaching the roots, which may cause them to rot.
What water to use?
For watering Decembrist is recommended to use only pre-settled water at room temperature. For the growth of the flower needs nutrients, the source of which are fertilizers.
Consider the types of feeding for zygocactus:
- phosphoric - promotes the formation of a large number of buds for lush flowering;
- potassium - has a strengthening effect, prevents the shedding of flowers and stimulates growth.
To top dressing better assimilated, it is recommended to add to the water and bring along with irrigation.
Fertilizer application rules:
- fertilizing is necessary from May to September;
- as a top dressing, you can use special fertilizers for flowering cacti. They are made in half the amount indicated on the package;
- In May and August, fertilizers are applied once every 30 days, and in June and July - every 14 days. In the autumn the plant is not fed.
How to water the plant at home?
Christmas tree belongs to the family of cacti and can accumulate moisture. This function is needed flower in order to easily endure the drought. The general rule of watering a zygocactus at home is that it should not be too flooded with water - this will inevitably lead to negative consequences for the plant. The frequency of moistening a flower depends on various factors and varies throughout the year. Consider the rules of watering the Decembrist in more detail.
Depending on the season
The Decembrist needs different amounts of water throughout the year. The scheme of watering a plant depends not only on how actively it blooms and grows, but also on the season. Consider the rules of watering the Christmas tree, depending on the season.
Did you know? Under comfortable conditions and with good care, the life span of a zygocactus can reach 30 years.
In spring, the flowering period is over, so the plant needs less water.
Rules for watering a flower in spring:
- water the plant need a moderate amount of water;
- frequency of the procedure - every 6-10 days (depending on the air temperature in the room);
- conduct regular spraying of the leaves, covering the soil in the pot with a protective film layer.
In the summer heat, it is important to provide the Christmas tree with enough water, but do not overdo it. 
The rules for watering a flower at this time of year are as follows:
- when drying the soil watering should be done every 3-4 days, but in small portions;
- during extreme heat, it is recommended to spray the leaves of the plant daily with water;
- If the room is very dry, you can put a zigokaktus on a pallet with wet pebbles, peat or moss to increase the level of humidity.
In the fall, the Decembrist goes into a state of rest, which lasts until the very winter.
Recommendations for watering the flower during this period:
- gradually reduce the frequency of watering, starting in the second half of September, bringing it to 1 time per week;
- if the zygocactus is in a warm room, you can completely replace watering by spraying the leaves;
- if the plant is standing in a cold room with an air temperature of + 12 ° C, it is not recommended to water it;
- Watering should be resumed in the second half of November, starting with a small amount of water.
During flowering
Decembrist flowering period falls on the winter and early spring. The plant spends a lot of effort on the formation of flowers, so it requires a sufficient amount of moisture.
Important! Insufficient moistening of the soil in which the zygocactus lives can lead to a delay in the formation of buds.
Recommendations for watering the flower during flowering:
- produce only after drying of the upper layer of the earth;
- if the room is warm (+ 22 ° C and above), it is necessary to water the plant abundantly - in such conditions, the moisture is not only absorbed by the Decembrist, but also evaporates into the environment;
- if it is cool in the room, it is necessary to water the Christmas tree moderately to prevent rotting of the roots;
- in a moderately warm room, it is enough to moisten the soil every 3-4 days;
- if the room is very hot and the soil dries quickly, it is permissible to water more often - every 2-3 days;
- when grown in a cold room, the Decembrist watered once a week as the soil dries;
- you can not spray the zigocactus with water during the flowering phase - this will lead to burnout of flower buds.
With transplant and after
Planned Decembrist transplantation takes place at intervals of 3-5 years and is a serious stress for the flower.
In order for the plant to adapt more quickly to a new pot and soil, watering during this period is carried out according to the following rules:
- The last watering of the flower is recommended for 1-2 days before transplantation;
- during the first 3-4 days after transplantation, the Christmas tree is not watered;
- after transplanting zygocactus, frequent and abundant spraying of its leaves with water should be carried out;
- 5 days after the procedure, they begin to renew watering, starting with a small amount of warm water.
Signs of improper watering
As a result of non-observance of the above-mentioned irrigation rules for the Christmas tree, the plant begins to ache. Its appearance deteriorates, and root rot can develop.
Signs of improper watering the flower:
- yellowing and lethargy of the leaves;
- bud fall;
- stunting;
- loss of leaves.
If time does not provide assistance to the plant, it may die. When roots decay, the only way to save the Decembrist is to transfer to a new pot with full replacement of the soil and pruning of rotten roots.
Did you know? According to national signs, the Decembrist reacts to the energy in the house, and its timely flowering promises a joyful event among the household.
Useful Care Tips
In addition to proper moisturizing and timely fertilization, you need to provide the Decembrist and other care.
The flower is not picky, but for its growth it is recommended:
- A young plant is transplanted into a new pot and soil every 2-3 years, and an adult - once every 4-5 years (carried out in early spring, after flowering);
- washing the roots in hot water (+ 36 ° C) if during the transplantation rotted areas were observed on the roots, then pruning the rotted roots with a dusting of the cut point with charcoal powder;
- pinch off the yellowed shoots and shorten the stalks that are too long each year in early summer to give the flower a beautiful shape;
- do not move the Christmas tree during flowering, so as not to provoke a drop of buds;
- grow in narrow pots for lush flowering;
- in order for the plant to enjoy regular flowering, during the rest period (from late September to early December) be placed in a cool room with an air temperature of about + 12 ° C.
Proper watering is important for the Christmas tree - plant health and regular flowering directly depend on the procedure. The recommendations listed in the article will help provide the flower with enough moisture and make it an interior decoration.
