I have been growing Christmas cactus for years! I think they are the most fascinating plants to watch blooming. All my plants originate from the first plant I had. I then rooted pieces and grew new plants. That is why they are all the same color blooms. My cactus bloom 3 times a year.
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I got my mother's Christmas plant just after she pasted away in March of 2010. The plant was doing great until I got it. I water it about once a week and give it plant food about once a month (Miracle Gro 24-8-16). Can someone help me with my dying cactus? If I am using the wrong plant food can I run it under water continuously to get the remaining plant food out? Please can you tell me what I should do. Thank you very much.
By duane
When I had a cactus plant, I used cactus food for it, rather than Miracle-Gro. I don't know if it's available everywhere, at the time, I lived in the desert Southwest, but it should be available online, if worse comes to worst.
I would also guess that you're really over watering your cactus. These plants are made to survive in the dry desert climate, there's only a "monsoon season" once a year, and some rain in the valleys if it snows heavily in the mountains. I hope someone else here will have more specific advice, but for the time being, stop watering the cactus. Then find out how much you really should water it, by researching online, or calling garden centers that sell cacti.
Hopefully, once you stop over watering the plant, and give it plant-specific nutrition, it will perk up and be healthy again. I can see why the plant is so important to you. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.
If you can repot your Christmas cacti as I think you will find you have over watered it and the roots are probably starting to rot , pot it up again with new compost. Then leave it for a while about a month and then only a little, as already has been said Christmas cacti or any cacti for that matter only need watering infrequently! my inlaws always watered theirs with cold tea now and again.
In the spring when the weather warms up a bit I put mine outside in a shady spot and virtually forget about it until autumn then I bring it in and you will soon see buds forming, but once again neglect it it will repay you by flowering a couple of times, it is natural for them to have a long resting period before they flower again.
Cut some of the arms off of the plant and place in a clear glass jar in a sunny location. They will start to root this way and you will be able to start a new plant (or a lot of new plants!). The advise given was on-spot: these are cactus and only require a bit of water every-so-often.
I understand about having your mom's plant now that she's gone. I did the same thing after my mom passed away. With a Christmas cactus, as with any succulent or cactus, less is more. Don't water it unless it thoroughly dries out in between watering and then only enough to moisten the soil. And stop feeding it so often, too...they really thrive on neglect.
I have a Christmas cactus that I got as a one-stalk cutting from my sister-in-law. I took it home and stuck it into a glass of water until roots grew. I planted it into some cactus-type soil and it grew. That was thirty five years ago! It grew because I forgot about it, sometimes only watering it once a month, if then.
Most people tend to over water them. These cacti are more of a forest type of plant, rather than a desert plant, but they like for the soil to be dry between waterings. Use plant food sparingly, about 1/4 tsp per gallon of water. They also like the summers outdoors in shade and the winters indoors in a dark area, a closet? Once removed from the dark area they will bloom. Continue watering as before. They require some unique techniques but the results are spectacular! Just don't over water them. As for removing the excess fertilizer, set the pot in the sink with the stopper in. Fill the sink to the level of the top of the pot with cool water (only) and let it set for about an hour. Then let the water down and let it sit for another hour, or until no more water runs out the bottom of the pot. Place the plant back in it's usual spot. I had to do this when I lived in So. California, due to the high salt level in the water there. It was necessary for ALL my indoor plants. Don't place the plant in direct sunlight; being a forest plant it likes bright but filtered light. You can read the results of many others here and elsewhere. Good luck and enjoy it!
My Christmas cactus blooms, but is not growing taller or fuller. It is just staying the same size. How can I increase plant growth? What kind of fertilizer should I use?
Hardiness Zone: 6b
By gayle from Rochester, NY
I use Schultz 10-15-10 Plant food plus. It is liquid, I mix about a Gal of water to 14 DROPS of the plant food. Water plants about every 2-3 weeks. Don't over water. GG Vi
I use Miracle Gro liquid fertilizer on my Christmas Cactus about once a month and not too much. I mix up a Tbsp. in a gallon of water and just put a small amount on each plant.
I was just wondering if anyone has any idea why the blooms on my 2 Christmas cacti have been weedy and droopy for the last two years. The year before they fell off too; the foliage looks fine. Before this, they had a lovely display.
Thanks in advance!
Drooping is usually when the plant isn't getting enough sun. They seem to do best in direct morning sun. Don't over water. The soil should be moist and watering done once a week for optimal flowers.
If you have not changed the soil in the pots they are in I would suggest that you do this one. A lot of times a plant is in the same soil for too long and needs new soil in order to grow and produce flowers. Try this and see if it helps. A little larger pot is also a good idea because a lot of times plants outgrow the pots they are planted in.
What causes Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus to sprout roots between leaf segments?
In their natural habitat, they grow on rocks and trees. Their aerial roots help the plant cling to its host. These roots help the plant reach for water and sunlight.
The aerial roots of the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) appear when the plant is already a few years old. It is the signal that the root system of the plant is too old or failing because the roots may be dried or rotten. It is time to start breaking some of this segments with their aerial roots and to plant them in a new pot. The next step is usually that the leaves will become soft. In any case, do not water, do not fertilize, it is just that the plant is not getting enough "food" from its own roots and if the roots are already dried or are dying, they will not be able to transmit the water or the nutrients to the plant, they will rot and could rot the base of the plant.
After many years of regular blooming and growth my Christmas cactus has turned purple and droopy. It is in a large hanging pot in full shade and has done well for 6 years. What could be wrong?
By Irwin Friedman from Paso Robles, CA
Too much water, roots being bound or poor drainage. Take some of the root from the bottom of the plant off. Put your plant in a pail with a couple drops of dish soap and a touch of bleach. This removes dust, etc. Rinse and re-pot in new soil. The roots need room to travel in the pot. You would be amazed what this method does to a spider plant.
My Christmas cactus has lots of blooms but they are falling off before they bloom.
Hardiness Zone: 7b
By debbie from Orangeburg, NY
Have you moved it? Even turned it round? They don't like that much. Happy Christmas. Marg from England.
How do I care for a thin leaf hybrid Christmas cactus?
They like bright, indirect light and they need humidity if it's dry. They need well-draining soil and container. Fertilize 2-4 times a year with 20-20-20 fertilizer. Do not over or under-water. Stop watering around October
If buds drop, increase humidity/light. Lower the temperature to get it to bloom. Keep the plant in a dark room at night.
So I have been putting my Christmas cactus outside for a couple of years now in the spring and bring it in about now. It then blooms when I bring it in, too early for Christmas, but that is OK. So I go to bring it in now and it has already started blooming! So what do I do? If I bring it in it will kill the buds and I can't leave it out it will freeze!
Thank you!
In the last couple of years the weather in some areas has been changing. This has effected the blooming cycle of your cactus this year.
You will need to bring the cactus inside so it won't kill the plant during winter. This year you might lose a few bloom on the cactus, but it will save the life of your plant.
What causes buds to fall off a Christmas cactus without opening?
By Billie B from Garland, TX
The causes could be: turning the pot as the buds will try to bend to one side to receive more light and fall off, leaves with petiole can follow the light but buds have no petiole and will fall off.
Watering too soon. It is better to wait until the buds turn into flowers.
Or watering with cold water.
My Christmas cactus is wilted and the leaves are really flat. It got too much water so I transplanted it into fresh dry soil.
By Cathy
Even though they are cactus, they still need some water. If you transplanted into completely dry soil, it's probably thirsty!
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How do I care for my Christmas Cactus? I have a Thanksgiving cactus that I have had for over 20 years, it is similar to a Christmas cactus.
