Most plants are best repotted when they display new growth in spring, but Christmas cactus repotting should be done
after blooming ends and the flowers have wilted in late winter
or early spring. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming.
Do Christmas cactus like to be root bound?
Christmas Cactuses actually
like to have their roots sort of crowded
. This is a struggle for plant parents because it's tough to prevent them from becoming root bound when they actually grow best in a crowded pot.
What kind of pots do Christmas cactus like?
The ideal pot for a Christmas cactus is a
well-draining pot
. Try and find one with drainage holes and also search for a pot material that is porous such as terra cotta, ceramic, or clay.
How do you know when to repot a cactus?
You will know when to repot a cactus plant
if you see roots coming out the bottom of the container
. This indicates it is overly root bound. Most cacti find small spaces very cozy and can stay in their container for years. The sight of roots will let you know it has expanded too much and will need repotting.
Does a Christmas cactus need special soil?
Remember, Christmas cactus plants like
soil that consistently has more moisture than the soil preferred
by most other succulents. In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. … The air will become more humid as the water evaporates.
Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
The answer is simple, yes!
Coffee grounds can work on almost any type of cactus or succulent
. … Most water has an alkaline pH of around 8, whereas cactus like between 5.8 – 7 pH. This means that each time you water your Christmas cactus or succulent, you are actually feeding it a higher pH than what it likes.
How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?
Use a
good quality potting soil at two parts potting soil to one part sand or vermiculite
, assuring sharp drainage. Even if the soil is not soggy, repotting may be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas cactus.
Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade?
They
prefer bright, indirect light
. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. The “trick” to getting Christmas cactus to bloom in the following years after purchase comes down to two things: light and temperature.
How long do Christmas cactus live?
Christmas cactus are everywhere during the holiday season, with good reason. They're gorgeous blooming succulents that can live
up to 100 years
! That's right! This plant, when properly cared for, will survive for decades.
When should I stop watering my Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus has a bloom cycle of dormancy, water, light and temperature. Cut back on how much you water your Christmas cactus during late fall, from
October to the middle of November
. Let the top two or three inches of soil dry out between waterings.
Do cactus need big pots?
Most cacti have shallow roots and grow slowly, so choose a shallow container.
You don't need a deep pot
or a very large one.
Do you water cactus from the top or bottom?
Use the method employed by expert cactus growers and
water from the bottom
. About once per week during hot weather, or whenever the pot feels light, place the potted cactus in a shallow saucer filled with about 1/2 inch of water and leave it in the saucer for about 1/2 hour or until it sucks up the water.
Can you cut off a piece of cactus and plant it?
Cactus plants can grow new plants
from pieces cut from the main cacti. … You can remove one of these smaller plants to grow into a new cactus. Removing the cutting and transplanting it properly prevents damage to the original plant and helps ensure the new cactus grows well.
Why is my Christmas cactus soil hard?
If the soil has become hard and compact, you
should repot or water very slowly
to allow the water to penetrate the tight soil, rather then run down the inside of the container and out the drainage holes without wetting the soil. Food: You only need to fertilize when the plant is actively growing or blooming.
Why is my Christmas cactus turning red?
Red or purple-tinged foliage and wilting are two common
symptoms of a magnesium deficiency
, which is a common ailment in Christmas cacti. It occurs mainly during the winter months when feeding and watering are restricted and cold temperatures slow the plant's nutrient uptake.
How often should you water a Christmas cactus?
- Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch. …
- From spring through early fall, feed every 2 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. …
- Prune plants in late spring to encourage branching and more flowers.
