Christmas cactus is one of my favorites but I have never had good luck with them. I have one that has only one stalk and has been the same size for years. It will grow another shoot and then break off... I hesitate to buy another because I hate to see it do poorly... Any tips? Also, for propagating, I've tried sticking the cuttings in the dirt and rooting in water but neither worked for me. I'm open to suggestions!!
DB I can't help, but am anxious to know as well. I never have any luck with them. Some I have seen are HUGE! But mine have always done like you were talking about.
Will try to give you a few answers. First of all, these plants do NOT like high heat, prefer cooler temps and filtered sunlight, not full exposure. Their growing period is during the summer months; in winter, they're in a comotose state despite their blooming periods from Thanksgiving on. They need a well draining soil: over watering should be avoided, but never allow the soil to totally dry out, especially in winter when watering should be cut back drastically. When repotting, do not use oversized pots: the Christmas cacti prefer "cramped roots" to a large extent. In summer, put them outside under a shady bush or tree once weather permits (apply a bit of pelleted time-released fertilizer now); bring them in before first frost and place them where they are to stay (in a cool location away from drafts and heat vents, but has good air circulation) for duration. Buds should begin forming shortly there after: too much water, at this time, will cause the buds to "blast" and drop. Pruning the plant after flowering's over will make it bushier and fuller, also provides a number of cuttings for making more plants. To propagate: use cuttings with 1-4 cladodes (or segments); let these SIT in a cool, dry place for 2-3 days to allow ends to "callus" over. Place cuttings in well draining, pre-dampened soil/germinating mix just deep enough to keep them steady, and water SPARINGLY til new growth is seen, then water regularly. It's best to do this in warm weather, but possible just about any time. The plants are long-lived if taken care of properly, just avoid over watering (which causes root rot)or allowing drying out too much. REPOT every two years or so as the plants will need it to thrive. GOOD LUCK and Happy Holidays!
Fantastic tips Weeds! Thank you. Christmas cactus are plentiful now -- it would be OK to buy them now, right? No reason not to?
No reason not too! May be a bit on the dry side as stores seem to have a habit of FORGETTING to water the poor things, but now's an excellant time to get them..watch for ones on sale. go from there, okay?
I have a white Thanksgiving cactus and a hot pink Easter cactus crammed into an azalea pot that sits on my back desk. They get southern light and I water them from the bottom. I let it get on the dry side before I give them a dunk :-D They seem to do great! I think I will move up to a little bigger pot after the pink one blooms this spring. I've read that they like to be almost root bound. I'd love to find a yellow one I'll keep my eye out for after Christmas sales. If I find one I'll cram all 3 into a new pot!
That's what is so funny to me -- people who have success with them are so casual about them... What do you think KuntryGal? Should we give it another go? I think I will. Thanks for the advice Weeds and Deanna. I hope you find a yellow one, Deanna!
One thing I have about them is they grow really slow until they get a massivew root wad developed. Mine grew so slowly for 6-7 months and then it took of. They are in a really small pot and when I started them I went with 4 starts and there is now 6 starts in this tiny pot. I plan to repot in the spring but only to a slightly larger pot so I can start planting more colors if I can find them. As for new starts, I have had the best luck with them when I break them off after they have a couple brown "root" looking hairs on them. Plant them right in the soil and let them go.
Mine is in too large of a pot, I'm sure. I'll have to repot it into a smaller pot to start. Very good tips from everyone. Thank you.
I hate to admit it but when it comes to "properly" watering my plants I fail miserably. I have let all my succulents dry out so bad the top was almost dust. Thanfully they are in deeper pots so they didn't die outright. I guess I just pay just enough attention to them to keep them fron dying. Except in spring and then they hate me for smothering them, or uprooting them and moving them to a new home, whichever they feel like any given spring. lol
After I read this I went to my local nursery and bought one for myself. It's bright red and about to start flowering. I'm really excited about it too.:-D I also saw a white one, but it was more expensive and I was unable to afford it. Oh well, maybe next time I see one.
