Flowering can be delayed by maintaining plants under LD starting from the first week of September. Although some growers withhold water from plants in early fall to induce flower bud formation, research has not supported this practice. Water stress during flower induction has been shown to reduce bud set. Plants should not be allowed to shrivel or be overwatered during flower induction treatments. Growers should be aware that STS is not registered for use on holiday cactus.
Holiday cactus is subject to several diseases.
Fusarium oxysporum is a fungus that causes root or stem rots. Infected segments produce reddish-orange sunken spots and then abscise. Orange spores develop in the lesions and are spread easily by water or air. Stems topple over when the basal segment becomes infected. Phytophthora parasitica and Pythium aphanidermatum are fungi that also incite root or stem rots.