Care for a holiday cactus in your classroom

flower | bud

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers.

| stem segment | stem cutting

Holiday cacti (Schlumbergera) are native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

to the tropical rainforests of Brazil, where they grow high up on trees or rocks in dappled shade and humid air. They produce magenta, red, pink or white flowers from November to January and a single plant can easily be multiplied through stem cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.

, giving everyone an opportunity to take home their own young plant in the summer term.

There are two main species of holiday cacti that have very similar care requirements, but flower at slightly different times of year. They are distinguishable by the shapes of their stem segments:

• Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata): Flowers November to December, pointed edges on the stem segments
• Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi): Flowers November to February, smooth, scalloped edges on the stem segments

Diagram to illustrate Schlumbergera leaf shapes

Position the plant in bright, indirect light, ideally on an east- or west-facing windowsill. Direct midday sun can scorch the stems, particularly during summer.

These plants thrive at average indoor temperatures (18-21°C), but during the colder months, keep them away from cold draughts and the dry heat of radiators. 

When the top 2-3cm of compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

feels dry, place the pot on a saucer and water the compost thoroughly until water runs out of the base of the pot. Let it drain completely and then empty out any standing water. 

These plants thrive in high humidity

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.

, but central heating can cause classrooms to become dry during winter. To keep moisture in the air around the plant, place the pot on a saucer filled with water and gravel or mist the stems with water once or twice a week.

You can easily create more plants by taking stem cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.

during active growth in May or June.

1. Find healthy sections of stem, made up of two to three segments. Gently twist or pinch to break them cleanly where the segments naturally join
2. Lay the cuttings flat on a paper towel in shaded area of the classroom for 2 days to allow the wound to dry and callus over
3. Fill a shallow container with multi-purpose, peat-free compost
   

   Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

   . Washed fruit punnets with holes in the base works well
4. Push the base of the cuttings roughly 1cm deep into the compost - just deep enough to stand upright. You can put multiple cuttings in one pot
5. Place in bright, indirect light at room temperature. Water sparingly by misting occasionally so the soil stays barely damp
6. Roots will form within 3-8 weeks from the base of the cuttings. Once you see fresh shoots emerging from the top, the new plants can be planted individually into small pots with peat-free compost

• Ahead of the school holidays, water the plant thoroughly and move it away from windows. Cacti are great at storing their own water and established plants
  

  Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers.

  can comfortably survive for two weeks without water
• During the longer summer break, take the plant home or place it in a sheltered, shaded outdoor space in the school grounds. Just remember to bring it back indoors in the autumn!
• Schools often turn off the heating over winter weekends. Move the plants away from the window where temperatures will drop more quickly
• Once the flower buds have formed, keep the plant in one location. Sudden changes in temperature or location can cause buds to drop off
• Once a month, gently wipe the stems with a damp cloth to remove dust and help the plant photosynthesise and grow