Social media has hyped using sugar water for indoor plants as an alternative fertilizer, but it might not be a good option for Christmas Cactus.
Too much of anything is never good for anyone. So go through the article to learn how to make sugar solutions for Cactus and when to water them.
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What Does Sugar Water Do For Christmas Cactus?
Dissolved sugar water is a supplemental source of glucose and fructose for plants that help provide energy.
Although no research has proved the exact role of sugar water, people believe using sugar water for Christmas Cactus aids in microbial activity.
Also, some say using sugar water on a dying plant can help to revive it by providing a boost of natural sugar.
The complex sugar makes it difficult for the roots to absorb the water and even blocks root absorption.
Moreover, sugar attracts microorganisms harmful to the plant, and pests like midges and ants can attack the Cactus. So sugar water might not be good for Christmas Catus plants.
But if you have cut flowers, you should put sugar in your flower water as a booster that temporarily replenishes their carbohydrates and extends their shelf life.
Also, using sugar water monthly in Christmas Cactus might boost the microbial activity of beneficial organisms that break organic matter if appropriately diluted.
Avoid using sugar water for Christmas Cactus or any plant suffering from transplant shock as it can further worsen their health. Let the plant revive itself.
How Do You Make Sugar Water For Plants?
Instead of throwing away your dying plants, you can water them with sugar, even if they are not Christmas Cactus.
Ensure to stir the mix thoroughly and pour it into a sprayer or a watering can for application.
Check the soil’s moisture; it should not be overly wet or too dry. Slowly pour the sugar water into the soil around the plant’s base.
Remember to avoid direct contact with leaves and stems. Also, drain excess water from the soil.
Meanwhile, alternate the sugar water application with regular clean water to allow the sugar particles to reach deep into the soil along with the required hydration.
How Often To Water Christmas Cactus?
Christmas Cactus water requirement is unlike any other desert-like Cactus as it is a medium feeder, and sugar water cannot fulfill its water need.
Meanwhile, keep the water frequency to once every 3 to 4 weeks in winter for Christmas Cactus.
You can even bottom water a Christmas Cactus by placing a tray underneath the pot, filling it with water, and allowing it to stay for 10-15 minutes.
This even works for sugar water, but do not let the plant sit in sugar solution or water for long. Remove the excess water after the given time.
Moreover, the soil drainage capacity also affects the water frequency.
Well-draining soil made from peat moss, potting mix, and sand or perlite in a 2:1:1 ratio will require watering at the standard interval, but compact soil needs gaps between watering.
From Editorial Team
Alternative Ideas!
Most consider sugar water a fertilizer, but other alternatives work better than the solution. It is banana peel and vegetable peel, the best homemade fertilizer for Christmas Cactus.
In contrast, nothing works better than diluted balanced fertilizer given to the Cactus every two weeks during the active season.
