Repotting Christmas Cactus How And When To Repot Christmas Cactus Plants

When to Repot Christmas Cactus 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.

1. What is the best potting soil for Christmas cactus?
2. What kind of pots do Christmas cactus like?
3. How do you split and repot a Christmas cactus?
4. Should Christmas cactus be planted in cactus soil?
5. Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
6. Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
7. What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
8. When should I repot my Christmas cactus?
9. Does a Christmas cactus like direct sunlight?
10. How do you rejuvenate a Christmas cactus?
11. Can you take cuttings from a Christmas cactus?
12. Should Christmas cactus be pruned?
13. Do Christmas cactus like clay pots?
14. How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?
15. Should you water a Christmas cactus after repotting?
16. Should you water a Christmas cactus while its blooming?
17. Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?
18. Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus curling?
19. How do you care for a Christmas cactus indoors?
20. Do Christmas cactus like to be root bound?

What is the best potting soil for Christmas cactus?

Having said that, I have seen Christmas cacti growing very well in garden soil used as potting soil. The ideal potting soil will contain a high proportion of organic matter such as peat or well-decomposed compost. Addition of coarse sand, or even aquarium gravel, will provide the necessary drainage and aeration.

What kind of pots do Christmas cactus like?

Christmas Cactus bloom best when slightly potbound. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot & I planted it into an 8″ pot. I've seen older Christmas Cacti planted in relatively small pots & they're doing just fine. Make sure the pot has at least 1 drain hole.

How do you split and repot a Christmas cactus?

Dividing Christmas Cactus

Christmas cacti like a tight pot, so select containers just large enough to accommodate the roots with no more than an inch of space between the roots and the side of the pot. Separate the plant carefully to prevent unnecessary root damage. Christmas cactus is susceptible to root.

Should Christmas cactus be planted in cactus soil?

When grown in a pot, the plant needs a well-drained and well-aerated soil that allows its roots to breathe. Heavy garden soil or potting soil designed to retain a lot of moisture will suffocate the roots, making the Christmas cactus grow and flower poorly. It also may result in root rot and the Christmas cactus' death.

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.

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).

What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?

To get the Christmas Cactus to bloom you need to place it in darkness for 12-14 hours a day (overnight), and when I say darkness… I do mean dark – as little indirect light as possible is best. For the rest of the day it is OK to place the plant in bright, indirect light.

When should I repot my Christmas cactus?

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.

Does a Christmas cactus like direct sunlight?

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 rejuvenate a 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.

Can you take cuttings from a Christmas cactus?

The Christmas cactus is a relatively easy plant to propagate. Take cuttings of one to four segments and let them sit in a cool, dry place for two to four days. Plant an inch deep in new soil, preferably a sand/peat mix. Water sparingly until roots or new growth develop, then water as normal.

Should Christmas cactus be pruned?

Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small, will help it to grow fuller and bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. 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.

Do Christmas cactus like clay pots?

ANSWER: Christmas cacti are well suited to clay pots due to their quickly-draining nature. ... So, if you are using clay pots, pay extra close attention to the moisture levels in the soil to keep it from drying out.

How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?

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.

Should you water a Christmas cactus after repotting?

Water the Christmas cactus lightly for two or three weeks after repotting, providing just enough moisture to keep the potting mix slightly moist. This provides time for new roots to develop and become anchored in the potting mix. Thereafter, resume the plant's normal watering schedule.

Should you water a Christmas cactus while its 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 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.

Why are the leaves on my Christmas cactus curling?

A Christmas cactus wilting or shriveling often means it was kept too wet. Drought stress can also cause shriveled leaves. In both cases, the roots are suffering -- in the former, they may be damaged by fungal diseases that develop when the soil doesn't drain well.

How do you care for a Christmas cactus indoors?

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.

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.