7 Unusual Tricks to Grow a Big, Bold, and Blooming Christmas Cactus

Make It Bigger in Size

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1. Sufficient CO2

Introduce a controlled release of carbon dioxide (CO2) near your Christmas Cactus.

Obtain a CO2 regulator and a CO2 cylinder. Make sure you also have a CO2 meter to monitor levels. Adjust your CO2 meter according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Connect the CO2 cylinder to the regulator and then to a CO2 distribution system like a diffuser or a hose with holes. Seal the growing area to prevent CO2 leakage.

Adjust the CO2 regulator to maintain a concentration of 800-1500 ppm. Monitor with your CO2 meter. Operate the system during the daylight hours when the plant is photosynthesizing.

For best results, use CO2 enrichment during the vegetative growth stage.

Products You Can Use

Titan Controls CO2 Regulator
Autopilot APCEM2 Desktop CO2 Monitor
Exhale Homegrown CO2 Bag

Science Behind It

Plants use CO2 for photosynthesis. In a typical home environment, they might not get as much CO2 as they could utilize for maximal growth. When you supplement with CO2, it can increase the rate of photosynthesis and potentially increase growth.

Supporting Researches

A study about the effects of CO2 enrichment on plant leaf ultrastructure found that elevated CO2 increased the number and size of starch grains in the chloroplast and leaf ultrastructure analysis.

A study by Oklahoma State University also states that, when you double the CO2 level setting (i.e., 700 to 800 parts per million) can significantly and visibly improve plant yield.

2. Hydroponic System

Instead of growing your Christmas Cactus in soil, consider using a hydroponic system, where the roots of the plant are suspended in a nutrient-rich water solution.

Science Behind It

Hydroponic systems provide constant access to water and nutrients, which directly leads to accelerated growth. This is because nutrient uptake is more efficient. It eliminates the energy the plant would usually spend searching for nutrients in the soil.

Make Christmas Cactus Bold

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