A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Easter Cactus dormant period

So now that I got the general care down, I'm concerned about dormancy from October- February. How can I make this happen easily in a home(the temps never go down to 50-55 degrees anywhere at any time and 12 hours of light can't really be achieved either)? I don't want to just stop watering it cause then pads are gonna drop like crazy. What's another way to approach this?

do you have a basement ??

Yeah but it's finished.

if you have a cooler area somewhere down there with access to a window I would use that. That is what I do with my cactus. Filtered or indirect light is best.
You can water the cactus, but not as often as you do at other times of the year.

I guess I won't be getting flowers then :(

That's pretty much is what I was going to say Carol, if you don't have a basement maybe a closet for a few weeks, with the door left open?? I think they like a dark place for a little while to stress them back into setting bloom buds.

sounds like an idea, Diane---a closet or perhaps back in a far corner that is away from any heat or bright light source but gets at least some filtered light..

How do I prevent pad loss? These guys lose pads much easier than christmas cacti. In fact i've had a christmas cactus survive severe drought before. Obviously it wasn't in the best shape but it bounced back.

Dormant??
Not in my house they don't go dormant. I put mine in upstairs back rooms an not in direct light. Christmas ones anyways. Mine are huge. For years. Never in sun .
Sounds like your mixing up easter cactus with Poinsettas.
I give mine no special care.

Bloom 2 times a year mostly.

I had told Carol when she had problems trying to make hers bloom.
Told her to put them in the basement just anywhere to shock them, in to bloom.
See I normally put mine outside in the shade in the summer (ON the Porch) And back inside for winter. Not in the direct sun or light.. It works for me. They just seem to go into a stage themselves.....
That was last resort. No hibernating needed.

dodge, I'm confused. What kind did you send me. It bloomed this year and was lovely. Should I put it in a dark place?

Yours is either Christmas or thanksgiving cactus.
You did the correct thing. Just keep it out of the sun.
I don't water often. Just when it looks really dry.

You did well .
ok

It's in a room that gets filtered sun light. Is that ok?

My Christmas and Easter cacti don't mind a few hours of direct sun.

That's fine

And Dodge are you sure your plant still isn't affected by the flowering hormones the nurseries give them? Everybody says these plants needs special care to flower.

Ha ha ha

Let me say they are full of Camel dung.........

Mine been here for say 15 years an were given to me. No stores or florist to say how.
Yes I am sure.
mine flower yearly , so whats your problem?

I got my Easter cactus in mid July and potted it into a mix of miracle grow, espoma organic, orchid bark,perlite, and african violet soil for acidity. I just don't think it's gonna flower.

patients grasshopper give it time,, you can't rush natures way of doing things. Like they all said above indirect light if any this coming winter, water only when necessary, then bring out after a few weeks, then see what you get. In the mean time don't over care for it.

Now that you mention. I think mine has the plain ole soil out of my veggie garden. Not bought.

Doesn't sound like good drainage but i guess these plants tolerate that a bit.

and also, it may take a few years even for it to flower---as Easter cactus flower best when slightly root bound. Plants rarely require repotting...

Guess it won't happen next year then. oh well, at least i'm getting growth.

Glad you don't like my ideas ......forget it

Dodge gave you excellent advice Dryair,,
Noone said you wouldn't get blooms next year,, if you follow our advice you very well could, Everytime I've bought one I got blooms the first year, so don't be so discouraged. We are all here to help you. If you don't agree with our answers that's fine,, Just know we all are willing to help you but you also have to be open to the advice you seek from people that have great experience growing them.

Quick note..
Just read on here, they need to go to 65º , cool off sometime to bloom.
My house gets lots of 65 ers.

I'll need to move mine then because my house never gets that chilly.

The one I have dodge sent me and it was several years before it bloomed for me.

as I remember, Sheri, the reason Barb told me to put my cacti in the basement was the temperature thing. We keep the heating ducts closed down there...