Any old dirt that doesn't have water retaining clay in it, will work fine. The dirt is not at all critical with those leafy "cacti". What is important to get a nice crop of flowers is wind. They look fragile, but they love the wind. The more wind they get in summer and fall, the more flowers they produce.
The same applies to leaf "cacti" that bloom at Easter, Pentecost or midsummer. With enough wind, they will produce flowers that will knock your socks off. For an example that bloomed yesterday, have a look at http://dawna.com
When it blooms, dad brings it into his winter garden. The rest of spring, summer and fall it hangs in a chain basket under the eaves.
I've actually purchased cactus soil mix. It's very light and doesn't hold a lot of moisture. Check your garden center. I've had one of my Christmas cactus's almost 21 years. Just keep repotting it!
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Request: Rooting Christmas Cactus (07/21/2009)
I would like to know how to re-root my Christmas cactus. When I first got it, it tried to die but is doing really good now. I want it to spread it out more to get a bigger plant.
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Request: Rooting Christmas Cactus
Archived on 07/21/2009
I would like to know how to re-root my Christmas cactus. When I first got it, it tried to die but is doing really good now. I want it to spread it out more to get a bigger plant. I really would like to know. Thank you.
Tim
Feedback:
RE: Rooting Christmas Cactus
You should be able to break a branch or even leaflets off your plant and stick them into a pot of soil and have them root. Just keep them lightly moist. It will take a few weeks for them to get going. I've had luck doing this even with pieces that I've found on the ground and "felt sorry for". (09/10/2008)
Take some of the leaves where they have separated. Soak some paper towels in water. Wrap the leaves in the paper and keep them moist. You should see roots in a week or so. (09/10/2008)
By Mary C.
RE: Rooting Christmas Cactus
Break off a little leaflet or 2 (for however many you would like to propagate) and you can root them in water. When you see the roots are about a couple of inches long then put them into soil, and tamp it down really well. If your original pot is large enough and you want your plant to be bigger then just go ahead and plant the new shoots in with the main plant. Do not overwater, and they like to be root bound, so do not move to a larger pot too soon.
I have one that has been in the same pot for about 20 years and it is full of blooms every year. Be sure to water and set it in the dark for 6 weeks about mid-October, taking it out the 1st week of December and you should have beautiful blooms for Christmas. (09/10/2008)
By jsham
RE: Rooting Christmas Cactus
Mary is absolutely right. You can also dip the ends in some rooting hormone that you can purchase almost anywhere that has a gardening department. But, it is not necessary.
Good luck. Lori (09/10/2008)
My mother always said not to water them during the month of October. I now have her plant and am doing that. It gives me lovely blooms each year. I have never put it in the dark.
Harriet (09/11/2008)
