Trimming Christmas Cactus Plants Steps On How To Prune A Christmas Cactus

If you are pruning a Christmas cactus to reduce its size, you can remove up to one-third of the plant per year. If you are trimming Christmas cactus plants to make them grow in more fully, you only need to trim the end one to two segments from the stems.

1. When should I cut back my Christmas cactus?
2. How do I make my Christmas cactus bushier?
3. How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?
4. Should I deadhead Christmas cactus?
5. Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
6. Why are the leaves of my Christmas cactus turning red?
7. Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?
8. Can you cut off a piece of cactus and plant it?
9. How do you shape a Christmas cactus?
10. What is the lifespan of a Christmas cactus?
11. Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
12. What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?
13. How do you care for a Christmas cactus outside?
14. How do you care for a Christmas cactus after it blooms?
15. Does Christmas cactus like sun?
16. How do you force a Christmas cactus to bloom?
17. Why is my Christmas cactus turning purple?
18. Why are the leaves of my Christmas cactus turning yellow?
19. Do Christmas cactus like to be root bound?
20. How do you know when a Christmas cactus needs water?

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.

How do I make my Christmas cactus bushier?

Or one side is growing faster than the other and you want it more symmetrical. If you are pruning to reduce the plants size then you can prune back by a third each year. This will also create a bushier plant with more places for blooms to develop. This cactus below is my example.

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 deadhead Christmas cactus?

While not necessary for all cacti since some cactus flowers drop from the plant once they are spent, deadheading cactus flowers can promote additional blooms and encourage growth while also tidying up the cactus. ... Deadheading can be done throughout the growing season while the Christmas cactus is in bloom.

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.

Why are the leaves of 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.

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.

Can you cut off a piece of cactus and plant it?

So, can you cut off a piece of cactus and plant it? The simple answer is yes. A significant number of cacti species can easily be propagated from cuttings. Some of the common cacti species usually propagated from cuttings include a hedgehog, prickly pear, and branching columnar cacti such as the night-blooming cereus.

How do you shape a Christmas cactus?

All you need to do to prune a Christmas cactus is give the stems a quick twist between one of the segments. If this seems a bit harsh on your plant, you can also use a sharp knife or scissors to remove the segments.

What is the lifespan 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.

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 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.

How do you care for a Christmas cactus outside?

Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Some growers move plants to the shade of a porch or patio for the summer. During summer, water to keep the growing mix moist after it dries on top.

How do you care for a Christmas cactus after it blooms?

Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees. 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.

Does Christmas cactus like sun?

They prefer bright, indirect light. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. ... Placing the Christmas cactus on the window sill in a cool room and not turning on the lights is all that's needed.

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.

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.

Why are the leaves of my Christmas cactus turning yellow?

Improper watering – Yellow Christmas cactus leaves may be a sign that the plant has a disease known as root rot, which is caused by excessive watering or poor drainage. ... Decrease watering after blooming, and provide only enough moisture to prevent the plant from wilting.

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.

How do you know when a Christmas cactus needs water?

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. For example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil, water when the top 2 inches feel dry. (Use your finger to check!)