Decembrist
Decembrist is the name of a variety of cacti that will tell an experienced amateur gardener a lot. A person starting to grow flowers can, at the very least, be confused, because... in everyday life the plant is more often called Christmas tree.
This species received its name because of the flowering period, and in our latitudes it falls precisely in December - January. The flower buds are very beautiful, with long stamens and proportional flowers.
In nature, this type of forest cactus is pollinated by Hummingbirds, because its homeland is Southern Brazil. In the wild, Decembrist grows on the roots or trunks of tropical trees. Their stems hanging down are divided into segments, approximately six centimeters long, hence another well-known popular name for this cactus - Crayfish neck.
How to care for this unusual plant at home so that it will delight your loved ones for a long time with its flowering and beauty?
Let's look at some main points:
- Choose land for planting Decembrist at home, you need it loose. The most suitable is coarse sand and leaf soil, in a ratio of one to one; you can also add peat to this composition.
- Replant Decembrist It is necessary once every one or two years, but in no case after flowering. It is better to do this in March and April during the period of active growth.
- To replant, you need to select a flowerpot two centimeters higher than the previous one; the roots of the flower do not go deep into the soil. A layer of drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot.
Reproduction
Decembrist can be propagated by cuttings, with one or more segments. This does not require any special effort; everything is done quite simply and quickly.The most suitable period for Decembrist breeding is autumn and winter.
Cuttings are separated from an adult bush, slightly “dried” for 24 hours, and deepened into the ground to one-fourth the length of the cutting. That's the whole secret.
Watering
Lack or excess of moisture is unacceptable for the Decembrist. The Decembrist loves the “golden” mean in everything: in watering, in the temperature of keeping, and in the illumination of the room in which it is kept.
Therefore: water it as the soil dries, avoid freezing, drafts, and periodically turn the pot with the plant in relation to the light source.
Place of detention and care
At home, this flower is not difficult to maintain, which is probably why we see Christmas flowers so often on the windowsills of our apartments. From spring to autumn, it is better to take it out onto balconies, verandas or into the yard in the sparse shade of trees.
Spring-autumn is the period of maximum growth. In summer, it needs to be additionally sprayed with warm water and fed once every two weeks. The ideal temperature for keeping the Decembrist during this period is 22-23 degrees Celsius.
October is a period of rest. At this time, it is better not to touch the flower pot: do not move it from place to place, do not turn it, do not wash it.
Signs
There are many superstitions associated with this flower, both negative and positive.
For example:
- if the cactus bloomed in mid-spring, the signs do not promise anything joyful: previously it was believed that this would bring loss of money, loss, trouble.
- if it blooms in the fall, expect trouble.
- It happens that a flower does not bloom at all - this means that the spouses have some misunderstandings and disagreements.
If the Christmas tree blooms on time and magnificently, your whole year will be prosperous and successful. You can believe in the signs associated with this flower or not. This is everyone's right.
But if you decide to plant this interesting plant in your home, you must remember what you need to care for it. care with knowledge and love.
