Given the easyplant care of the Christmas cactus(Schlumbergera bridgesii ) , this succulent truly can be the gift that keeps on giving . In fact , Christmas cacti can endure over a century and be passed down in crime syndicate . This tropic plant has long been a ducky among works parents , with its vivacious crimson - pink blooms , typically timed with its namesake holiday . Christmas cactus are n’t too picky about light conditions , although they ’ll honour you with more flowers if you give them enough sunshine . They also need well - drain succulent potting mix and do n’t mind being slightly rootbound . If you ’re wonderinghow often to irrigate your Christmas cactus , do so only when the top inch of the soil is dry .
If you really want to get on your Christmas cactus ' just side , offer itplant foodthat can be found among your food for thought scraps . eggshell have long been sum to garden and houseplant soil as an easily approachable , affordable , and good source of atomic number 20 . A2022 subject field from Scientific Reportsalso come up that , in plus to being rich in atomic number 20 , chicken eggshells contain sulfur , atomic number 11 , and Mg — the latter of which is a mineral that Christmas cacti actually need more of than most flora .
Just as humans need calcium for strong os , most plant demand it for a strong anatomical structure . Calcium also build the plant ’s immunity against disease , helps its jail cell process nutrients , and promotes overall salubrious plant life development . Onesign of calcium deficiencyis stunt and deformed fore and leaves , particularly on unexampled ontogenesis . In succulent , this might look like distorted , discolor , burnt , or curl leave-taking .
Ways to feed your Christmas cactus with eggshells
shell can be used either as a tea or as a powder to fecundate your Christmas cactus . Regardless of which method acting you opt , you will need to thoroughly clean house and dry the shell . Rinse the shells or sop them while scraping out any remaining egg or membrane with your finger . Boiling the shells also is an in effect way of life to kill bacterium . If you are attain a liquid fertiliser , crush 10 to 20 dry eggshells into small opus with a mortar and muller or by helping hand . Steep the shards in a gallon of water supply overnight , strain , and then hydrate your Christmas cactus as take with the eggshell teatime .
If you ’re shit powder , grind down the shells as delicately as possible using a coffee attic grinder , liquidiser , or food processor . The powder can then be sprinkle over the Earth’s surface of the grime or mixed into the dirt when you repot your Christmas cactus . For a 4 - in green goddess , you ’d need to use 1 teaspoon of eggshell powder . As you irrigate the industrial plant over the subsequent months , this will slow loose food into the soil . Because the primer coat eggshells take metre to break down , use this method of fertilisation every two to three months .
