Christmas Cactus Diseases Common Problems Affecting Christmas Cactus

Rots, including basal stem rot and root rot, are the most common problems affecting Christmas cactus. Stem rot – Basal stem rot, which generally develops in cool, damp soil, is easily recognized by the formation of a brown, water-soaked spot at the base of the stem.

1. What does a dying Christmas cactus look like?
2. Why do the buds on my Christmas cactus fall off?
3. What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?
4. What is the life expectancy of a Christmas cactus?
5. Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?
6. How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?
7. Should I water my Christmas cactus when it is blooming?
8. Can a Christmas cactus get too much sun?
9. How do you force a Christmas cactus to bloom?
10. Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
11. How often should a Christmas cactus be watered?
12. Should you mist a Christmas cactus?
13. Does Christmas cactus like sun or shade?
14. How do you keep a Christmas cactus healthy?
15. How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
16. Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?
17. Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?
18. Why is my Christmas cactus turning purple?
19. When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
20. When should I cut back my Christmas cactus?

What does a dying Christmas cactus look like?

Depending on the severity of the disease, rotten Christmas cactus roots will be slimy with black or brown decay. If you determine that your Christmas cactus is rotting, it's critical to act fast. Rot is a deadly disease and once it progresses, the only option is to discard the plant and start fresh.

Why do the buds on my Christmas cactus fall off?

Why are buds falling off my Christmas cactus? A. ... A sharp difference in temperatures, watering schedule or light intensity can cause a holiday cactus to drop buds. A holiday cactus needs exceptional drainage, bright indirect light and a not-too-big pot to thrive.

What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?

In case you didn't remember to do this, one of the first overwatering symptoms on Christmas cactus will be limp leaves, which will start to drop off. Then the stems and branches will soften and get mushy. Severe cases will manifest with a foul odor and the stem will rot completely off.

What is the life expectancy of a Christmas cactus?

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when properly cared for, Christmas cacti can live for 20 to 30 years. If you provide long nights starting around October 1st, you can force the Christmas cactus to bloom year after year. Cool night temperatures can also encourage it to bloom.

Are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus?

Coffee is a trusted secret that many people use to keep their Christmas cactus healthy and blooming each year. Just make sure its plain black coffee. Find this Pin and more on Christmas cactus tips by Barbra Thelen-Byrnes.

How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?

Proper care of old Christmas cactus includes cutting back overgrown branches and, sometimes, repotting the plant. One of the first steps in the care of old Christmas cactus is a good trim of the branches. When the branches become too long and heavy, they are likely to break off, so it's better if you trim instead.

Should I water my Christmas cactus when it is blooming?

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.

Can a Christmas cactus get too much sun?

The Christmas cactus will adapt to low light conditions, but the plant will produce blooms more readily if exposed to brighter light. That being said, too much direct sunlight can burn its leaves, so keep the Christmas cactus in an appropriate area to avoid this. Christmas cactus moisture is important as well.

How do you force a Christmas cactus to bloom?

In order to further force a Christmas cactus to bloom, you'll need to move the plant where it will receive about 12-14 hours of darkness. Bright, indirect light during the day is fine; however, Christmas cactus requires at least 12 hours of darkness at night in order to encourage bud development.

Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?

In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn't be sitting directly in water).

How often should a Christmas cactus be watered?

How to Care for Christmas Cacti. Plan to water every 2-3 weeks, but only water when the top one third of soil feels dry to the touch.

Should you mist a Christmas cactus?

You should be misting, not watering, every day.

A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.

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 do you keep a Christmas cactus healthy?

Avoiding Problems With Christmas Cactus Health

1. Maintain the correct light/dark schedule. ...
2. Don't water too much. ...
3. Don't water too little. ...
4. Make sure the plant gets enough indirect sunlight but keep it out of direct sunlight. ...
5. Keep the plant away from direct heat sources, like a fireplace or heating vent.

How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?

Christmas Cactus are extremely popular when November and December roll around. I happen to like them even when they're not in bloom and think they make fine houseplants. But wait, did you know that they can repeat flower? Mine started re-blooming in February, so yes, Christmas Cactus do flower more than once a year.

Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?

To root a piece of Christmas cactus in water, you will need a few cuttings from a healthy Christmas cactus, a glass jar, and some pebbles or stones. ... If water levels evaporate, fill the jar back up to the appropriate level. Once you see roots form, it is okay to move the cuttings into soil.

Is Epsom salt good for Christmas cactus?

Christmas cacti have a higher requirement for magnesium than many plants. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) mixed at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, but do not apply the same week as regular fertilizer.

Why is my Christmas cactus turning purple?

Location – Christmas cactus requires bright light during fall and winter, but too much direct light during the summer months may be the reason for Christmas cactus leaves turning purple on edges. Moving the plant to a more appropriate location may prevent sunburn and solve the problem.

When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?

Put your forest cactus in a dark closet for 14 hours a night, starting six to eight weeks before you want it to bloom. Bring it back out into a bright location during daylight hours. Once buds begin to form, the closet treatment is no longer needed, and the plant should bloom beautifully for the holidays.

When should I cut back my Christmas cactus?

The best time to prune a Christmas cactus is right after it has bloomed. At this time, the Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and will start to put out new leaves. Pruning a Christmas cactus right after it blooms will force it to branch out, which means the plant will grow more of its distinctive stems.