The Christmas green decoration of most houses is the Decembrist flower, better known as the Christmas Eve, because it pleases the eye with its bloom during the winter holidays, when other flowers prefer to relax. At this particular time, inconspicuous greens of the plant are covered with original and large exotic inflorescences, which amaze with their abundance. How to grow a Decembrist, read on.
The timing of the Decembrist at home
Decembrist - a representative of the genus of forest epiphytic cactus, devoid of thorns. The Decembrist and the Christmas car got their names due to the unique timing of flowering in the winter time - December-January. He is also known under the names of Varvarina Kosa, a cancerous neck, a zigokaktus, a flower Schlyumberberger. 
Caring for such an original flowerpot is simple and starts with a proper fit. The main thing here is not to make a mistake with the deadlines. Experienced growers recommend and plant (multiply), and replant the Christmas tree immediately after it blooms. The optimal time is the end of February - the middle of March.
Preparing for planting plants
The success of growing the Barbarian spit depends on the correctness of the landing. How to plant a cancerous neck, read on.
Did you know? According to popular beliefs, Schlumberger - it is a flower that absorbs and transforms evil energy and transforms the atmosphere in homes in a positive direction.
Optimal conditions and choice of location
The Schlumberger cactus has migrated to us from tropical countries - Brazil and South America. In its natural environment, it grows on rhizomes and trunks of tropical plants. Due to the fact that the tropics are an area with an abundance of dense greenery, the zygokaktus have adapted to live in shady conditions.
Rozhdestvensky not welcome direct sunlight, which can burn the sensitive leaves of the culture. The best place for a flowerpot will be a corner remote from the window, which, if necessary, will need to be tipped. During the flowering period, Schlumbergera will feel great on a rack, cupboard or wide windowsill. The main thing - to make sure that the pot has enough space, and its stems are not crowded. 
Despite its tropical mores, the flower perfectly acclimatized in room conditions. It does not require narrow temperature limitations: it feels great in the temperature range + 10 ... + 35ºС. But at the same time you should not test it with sharp changes in climatic conditions, for example, take it out of a warm room to a cold balcony. Preparation for a change in temperature regimes should be moderate.
Decembrist demanding on environmental humidity. It will feel bad in dry air, and during the budding period, future flowers will begin to fall off, so a humidifier, a tray filled with claydite stones, or at least a wet towel must always be placed near the pot.
Important! Christmas shoots need regular spraying from a spray bottle (2 times a week). At the same time it is necessary to cover the soil with a film of polyethylene so that water does not fall on the ground. Also make sure that the flower is not adjacent to the heating devices.
The choice of capacity for landing
Florists who want to house a Varvarin flower in their home often worry about what kind of pot is needed for planting. The clypus of Schlumberger has a small rhizome, therefore the size of the tank for its planting should be small. This is the case when the width of the pot should exceed the height. As for the material, it is best to take clay or ceramic containers. 
You can also use plastic. The main thing is to take care of a good drainage of the pot: the tank can be purchased with ready-made holes or drill them yourself. As the flower grows, it will need to be replanted and, accordingly, to pick up a larger pot.
Soil preparation for planting
The ideal substrate for the Christmas tree is the soil mixture for cacti, which is sold in every flower shop. The main requirements of the Decembrist to the substrate - friability, high nutritional value, good air and water permeability. If desired, the desired soil can be prepared independently by mixing turfy and leafy soil with peat and large river sand or brick dust, the necessary proportions - 1: 1: 1: 1.
Important! Optimal soil acidity for zygocactus - 5.0-6.5 pH.
So that the roots of the plant do not stagnate moisture, it is recommended to add a little perlite and wooden bark (preferably oak) to the prepared soil. Before planting, the substrate must be disinfected. It is advisable to warm it in the oven (about 10 minutes), steamed in a water bath, or pour light pink manganese solution. You can also carry out disinfection by mixing the prepared substrate and crushed coal.
How to plant a Christmas car at home
There are several ways of planting a Christmas cage at home: seed, shoots, rooting cuttings, stalks and leaflets. Read more about each technique. 
Scion
Belongs to the rather difficult, but interesting ways of reproduction Schlyumberberts. The optimal time for the implementation of this method of reproduction - April - June.
The procedure is as follows:
- On an adult, but not an old plant, a not too thick plot is selected.
- Find on the shoots the place of the end of the old and the beginning of the new links.
- Break off the most healthy-looking and intact shoots with the presence of aerial roots. Powder the wound on the maternal shoot with charcoal of wood or sand.
- Prepare a stock, which is used as a growing trunks of prickly pears or prickly conversion. Preparation consists in removing the branchy part of the plant used for the stock, and cleaning its stem from foliage.
- Split the top of the selected rootstock stem.
- Sharpen the bottom of the process of the stem of the Christmas tree, giving it a wedge shape.
- Place the appendix in the crevice of the stock.
- Fasten the split edges of the rootstock with a needle or spikes and fix it with adhesive tape or plaster. For a safety net, it is recommended to inoculate 2-3 pruning of the Decembrist on the stock trunk.
Already after two weeks, an intergrowth should occur. For its successful implementation it is necessary to provide the future Decembrist with the necessary temperature conditions (+ 20 ° C) and moderate humidification. After the grafted zygocactus begins to grow, you need to carefully remove the retainer from the stock.
Important! The procedure requires special care. It should be carried out as quickly as possible while the rootstocks and process edges are fresh.
Cut stalk
The method of reproduction of the Decembrist segments is similar to grafting.
The planting procedure is combined with the trimming procedure and is carried out by performing the following steps:
- Choosing a healthy, strong and intact segment.
- Preparing a container with water. In a glass or a small bottle with a wide neck pour clean filtered water, preferably separated.
- Place the cut into a container with water and wait for the roots to appear.
It is possible to propagate the Decembrist in this way at any time of the year, except for the period of budding and flowering. Experienced growers recommend rooting several stalks of the stem at once. This will not only give confidence in the success of the business, but also allow in the future to form a lush and rich plant.Important! During the entire rooting time, it is necessary to regularly pour water into the tank, but not to change it. It should be ensured that the water does not contain chlorine, which will lead to the death of the process.
Cuttings
Grafting is the most popular breeding method for the Decembrist. The ideal time for such a process is April and May.
To get rooted seedlings, you must perform these items:
- Choose on an adult flower and break off the most healthy and high-quality cuttings, consisting of long leaves and growing at the stem base. You can not cut the cuttings with scissors or a knife, they must be broken off with rotating movements. On the handle should be 4 segments.
- Prepare the substrate according to the above requirements.
- Prikat cut cuttings in a well-moistened soil in a horizontal position.
- Cover prikopannye cuttings cut plastic bottle.
- Regularly air the future seedling by lifting the bottle. Full rooting will take place after 3-4 weeks and will be accompanied by the appearance of new leaves.
- Replant rooted root in a permanent pot, for a start small.
Video: breeding Decembrist cuttings
Seeds
One of the least popular methods of breeding Christmas tree, because it requires a lot of time and effort. Seed material can either be purchased at a specialty store or collected by yourself. But the last option for obtaining seeds is quite lengthy, costly and risky, so experienced gardeners do not recommend bothering and advise you to go to the store.
Important! To obtain good germination, it is necessary to provide the planted seeds with the right conditions: greenhouse effect, temperature + 20ºС and regular watering with a sprayer.
The first stage of implementation of the seed method is seed preparation. First, it is recommended to warm the seed for 2 days at a temperature of + 40 ... + 60 ºС. After that, in order to enhance germination, the seed material is soaked in a solution of sodium humate (1%) for 2-3 hours. Mandatory preparation stage is disinfection of semen by washing in a weak manganese solution or peroxide (3%).
Schmumbergers should be sowed in spring (April-May). Sowing is that the seed is simply placed on the surface of the substrate and slightly pressed down, while it is impossible to sprinkle them with soil. Already after 21 days, shoots will appear. 
Sowing tanks must be disinfected with alcohol and the substrate disinfected. One and a half months after germination, it is necessary to pick the seedlings. Transplantation of seedlings into individual containers is recommended 6 months after germination. Get ready for the fact that the seedlings will grow very slowly.
From the leaflet
The effectiveness of this method is poorly studied, due to the fact that it is rarely tested. A very small number of flower growers prefer it. But nevertheless there is a way.
Important! With moderate watering and compliance with the required temperature indicators (+ 20ºС), the leaves should take root already after 2-3 weeks.
Learn more about how to root the Decembrist leaf:
- Choose a large, juicy leaf and tear it off. It should be noted that foliage of epiphytic cacti is considered to be leaf-shaped, branchy and powerful shoots.
- Dry the torn sheet for 2 days, that is, put it in a dark and cool place.
- Place the sheet in the prepared substrate half the length in a vertical position. The bottom of the sheet should go deeper.
Aftercare for the plant
Decembrist care consists of irrigation, fertilizer, pruning and shrub shaping, as well as transplanting. Read more about each item.
Did you know? The Decembrist is recommended to land where dictators and egoists live or lead. The flower, according to astrologers, will soften their stale souls.
Top dressing and watering
The main guarantee of successful cultivation of zygocactus is a properly organized watering process. Do not let the flower dry out. This can lead to slower growth and drop buds. Watering should be carried out only through the pan, that is, the type of watering - root. Water should be warm and defended for 10 days. 
If you use rainwater, then you do not need to defend it. The culture needs watering 2-3 times a week, all year round, except during the rest period - October-November. On hot days, the flower must be sprayed with water every day.
Learn more about how to water the Decembrist at home.
We can not allow the drying of the Christmas tree: unlike his cactus relatives, he is not able to accumulate water in the foliage, and therefore dries quickly. As for fertilizers, any supplements for cacti, for example, Master Agro, Scotts-Averiss, Mr. Tsvet, Royal-Mix and others will do for the Decembrist. 
At the end of flowering (beginning of March) and until the end of August, you can feed Schrumberberger with the complex preparation "Ideal" after every two weeks. Then from September to November, potash supplements will suit the flower, which must be applied twice a month. And when the Decembrist blooms, experienced flower growers are advised to fertilize it with a solution of mullein (1 time in 3 weeks).
Important! Top dressing should be moderate, since excess fertilizer is more harmful to the flower than its deficiency.
Pruning and shaping the bush
Pruning is done not only to form an attractive and beautiful shrub, but also to rejuvenate the flower. Conduct this procedure in June by shortening the ugly, improperly growing and old shoots. At the same time, half of the shoots are cut, and the second is unscrewed.
Plant transplant
It is recommended to replant a young Decembrist every year after he has faded (approximately the end of February). Capacity needs to be taken only 2-3 cm wider and higher than the previous one. As for adult Christmas people, they are transplanted as needed, no more than once every 3-4 years. 
During transplantation you need to carefully examine the rhizome, in order to detect sick and damaged roots, and their removal. It is also important to clean the roots from previous soil residues well.
Diseases and possible pests
Christmas can suffer from such fungal and bacterial diseases:
- Fusarium, which reports its appearance in orange shoots and foliage damage: it becomes soft and lethargic.
- Rotten cladode. It leads to blackening of the shoots due to deep lesions of fungal spores.
- Late blight - A disease that causes a change in color of shoots from green to gray. Damaged stems soon fall off, and fungal spores quickly get to the rhizome and provoke its decay.
- Soft rot, Signaling of which are the darkening of the stems, the appearance of mucus on them and the rapid rotting.
Important! During the preparation of solutions of insecticides and fungicides for the treatment of Decembrist strictly follow the instructions.
The main pest of the Christmas tree is the spider mite, for the fight against which it is used the solution Aktellika and Fitoverma. If the flower was attacked by mealybugs, it should be sprayed with Aktara.
Useful Care Tips
Since the Christmas tree is a fairly common flower, its mores have long been studied, as evidenced by the many recommendations for care. 
Here are some of them:
- There are cases when the Decembrist refuses to blossom. The reason for this may be several factors: too low light, lack of moisture or fertilizer, as well as a cramped pot. Monitor and eliminate these problems, and the zigokaktus will delight you with abundant bright inflorescences.
- Extend the flowering time by lowering the temperature conditions.
- When the budding period comes, reduce watering and increase dressing.
- Do not take shoots for breeding culture during budding and flowering.
- Do not be afraid if the flowers acquired during the bloom of Schruombergera quickly began to crumble: this is a consequence of the stressful state of the plant caused by changes in habitat conditions.
- Do not tear off the withered flowers with the use of force, it is better to wait until they fall off themselves, so as not to damage the germ zones.
- Christmas Day does not welcome the constant rotation of the light source, so choose for him the optimally lit place. This is especially true during the flowering period: if you touch and move the pot with a flower, it will begin to drop buds and flowers.
- Take care of zigokaktus from drafts, which can cause leaf fall.
- Do not allow the air in the room with the Decembrist to be too dry. This will lead to dropping foliage.
You will be interested to know about the recommendations for the care of the flower Decembrist.
As you can see, the decoration of the New Year and Christmas holidays can be not only garlands, but also bright flowers of the Decembrist - a plant that, in spite of all stereotypes, blooms in winter, while other greens prefer a state of rest. In order to admire the flowers of the Christmas tree in the winter colds, you need a little bit - just provide him with proper care.
