Yourgarden.com Q&A

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Christmas Cactus
DEBI AIRINGTON from USA asks:	WHEN CHRISTMAS CACUS BREAK OFF HOW DO YOU GET A GROWTH OFF THE BROKEN PIECES? Help DEBI AIRINGTON with an answer


CINDY from USA asks:	I MIXED 3 OF THE CACTUS TOGETHER AND THE PLANT IS BEAUTIFUL. THE PROBLEM IS ON ONE SIDE THE BRACHES ARE LAYING ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, IT IS QUITE THICK. I DID NOT KNOW IF THIS IS HEALTHY FOR THE PLANT OR HOW DO I CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO THIN IT OUT? MAYBE IT`S OK FOR THE PLANT TO BE THIS WAY THE PLANT IS BEAUTIFUL. SINCERELY, CINDY Help CINDY with an answer


Carolyn Coeburn from United States asks:	When my buds come on they fall off before blooming .What causes this to happen? Help Carolyn Coeburn with an answer


Sheila from USA asks:	I have had a Christmas Catus for many years and now it has full stems that are falling off. The stems seem to be thinner and a lighter color that are falling off, is there anything I can do to help prevent this? Help Sheila with an answer


fred weyman from usa asks:	What is causing my christmas cactus `leaves` to be stunted and curled? Help fred weyman with an answer


D. Bouldin from U.S. asks:	My cactus is developing spots on them and the stems are turning red. What casues this and what is the cure. Help D. Bouldin with an answer


Brenda from us asks:	I have a broken limb with two buds on it, off of a christmas cactus, can I save it???? I hope I can :( Brenda Help Brenda with an answer
Deirdre says :	Itis allright to losee pieces, why I have 14 Chrismas Catuses because you have to cut the leaves, and it also makes you 1st plant new buds


yoka de Haan from Canada asks:	I have heard that a christmas cactus should be planted outside for the summer. Is this true and should it be in a sunny or shady spot. When should I bring it back inside? Help yoka de Haan with an answer


marilyn kiefer from united states asks:	when to transplant? and how? Help marilyn kiefer with an answer
brenda says :	I have a stem with two buds that broke off, and is there any way of saving it? or replanting it?


gord moore from canada asks:	Is christmas catus and flowers poison or can be eaten thank you. Help gord moore with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	This plant is considered non-toxic but I should not eat it.


Bobbie Brown from USA asks:	I have one that is pretty big and I want to know know in march how do I get it ready for christmas time and bloom pretty flowers and what do you do with it. I had it in my living room which is kind of dark when I want it to be and I took it out side cause it was looking like it needed some sun and know it does not look very good the leaves were falling off from it when I brought it in. I want it to last and be very pretty again what kind of food stuff does it need it does not need water right now.Please help me out Help Bobbie Brown with an answer


Kirk Thorp from USA asks:	I have several plants. One is long and few limbs. Can I prune it in a way as to bet more branches? Help Kirk Thorp with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Yes you can prune it.


Timothy Howell from USA asks:	I believe the two christmas cactus I have where frozen this month. How do I revive them or is it to late. They where exposed to sub 40 degree temps for three days. Help Timothy Howell with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	I am afraid for the results. I think you only can wait and see.


CountrySun from Yakima asks:	how do you get them to bloom the second year Help CountrySun with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Look at Q&A- index at Christmas Cactus there you can find the answer on your question.


PHILIP ZITO from USA asks:	FEED AND CARE INSTRUCTIONS Help PHILIP ZITO with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Look for the answer at Q&A-index Christmas Cactus. There you find a lot about the care instructions.


Carolyn Page from USA asks:	I just got two small christmas catus, they were both saturated. When we got home we poured the water out. What is my next step to keep it growing? Is there a special fertlizer for it and how long do I need to keep itm out in the light? I have several blooms on each one. Thanks for all info. Carolyn Page Help Carolyn Page with an answer


LYNN from USA asks:	For the first time since I`ve had them, I moved them outside for the summer. One of them bloomed! I moved them back inside before the weather got cold, but they are doing well. They use to get the setting sun and now are getting noonday sun, but not directly. I repotted them this summer into larger pots. I have a "brown thumb" so don`t know what I`ve done. One belonged to my Mother who passed away in 1995 so would really like to save it. I saw a catus at The Biltmore HOuse in Ashville, NC, that was much shorter and wondered if they just remove any leaves that got long or if it was a different type of Christmas Catus. Any help is appreciated. Help LYNN with an answer


Carole Bryant from USA asks:	I have a beautiful healthy Christmas Cautus. Someone told me I should be putting it in darkness so that it will bloom for Christmas. Please tell me what I should be doing. Help Carole Bryant with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Yes if you want the flowers at Christmas time then you have to give it total darkness in late September to mid October.


Robert Denton from usa asks:	I just bought a christmas catus in full bloom. the blooms are falling off. will it bloom again by christmas? thank you. Help Robert Denton with an answer


Stacy Haynes from usa asks:	I have a chirtmas catus that belonged to my grandmother the plant just will not bloom. I water it carfully and make sure the light is right . It always was full of blooms when she had it. Help Stacy Haynes with an answer


robert denton from usa asks:	caring for my plant - watering, sunshine etc Help robert denton with an answer
CAROLYN says :	MY CHRISTMAS CACTUS IS BEAUTIFUL IT MUST LIKE ME BECAUSE IT BLOOMS TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR SOMETIME MAYBE EVEN MORE. IS IT OK TO TAKE IT OUTSIDE AFTER FROST OR SHOULD I JUST LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS?HOW OFTEN DO I WATER IT IF IT IS OUTSIDE IN THE SUMMER?


maryann moreno from usa asks:	I have about a 4 year old plant. It`s blooms beautifuly here in florida. But this year I notice the large size has cause the two large sections to split.The split is at the bottom base of the plant I`m afraid if I split it completely it will die.How and when can I do this help.This plant cannot die I`m just the care giver for this plant the true owner died and left it in my care. help please! maryann Help maryann moreno with an answer


Paloma from USA asks:	I have a very large, old Xmas cactus that needs a serious trim as it is getting too thick. It is 3 1/2 feet across and about 18 inches tall from the top of the pot up. It is an amazing plant as it blooms 5 to 6 times a year and each time the color is different. Maybe I should leave well enough alone. Thanks for your help. Help Paloma with an answer


Susanne Snyder from USA asks:	I have a Christmas Catus that was my Grandmothers. It has always done very well, until recently. The leaves look weak and a little withered. The coloring is not the dark shiny green of the past. What can I do to help my plant? Help Susanne Snyder with an answer


Nellie Harsh from USA asks:	The leaves seem to be soft and limp.I had it outdoors all summer and have fertilized it. What`s wrong. Nellie Help Nellie Harsh with an answer


JOYCE SUMMERS from UNITED STATES asks:	my wife has several plants, and they continually rot or die at the top of the soil. she is moving them all over our property (under the eave, under trees under the car port). where is the proper place to raise, and take care of? Help JOYCE SUMMERS with an answer
says :	i think it`s a bacteria that is cuzing the rot.. or even maybe over watering..

Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :

Water thoroughly when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch. The length of time between waterings will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity. Plants can be moved outdoors in summer, but keep them in a shady or semi-shady location. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When it`s time to bring the plants back inside in the fall, slowly adjust the plants to life indoors by gradually increasing the number of hours they spend indoors each day.


Rebecca Welder from USA asks:	I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CHRISTMAS CATUS GROWING AND BLOOMING. IT HAS BEEN TRANSPLANTED 1 TIME ALREADY AND IT IS NOW THE LEAVES ARE LEANING OVER, IT ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP IT COME BACK TO LIFE? I HAVE ANOTHER ONE AND IT IS DOING FINE BUT NEITHER OF THEM HAVE BLOOMED SINCE THEN. MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS IS BEAUTIFUL AND THEY BLOOM AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR , WHAT CAN I DO TO DO THAT ALSO? Help Rebecca Welder with an answer


Katherine from United States asks:	We inherited a Christmas Catus from my mother-n-law. While she had the plant it was beautiful and grew, since we have had it, it won`t grow. It is not dying but it hasn`t grown either and doesn`t bloom. We have had it in doors but have moved it outdoors now. We need some careing instructions????? Help Katherine with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Look for careing tips at Q&A-index Christmas cactus.


PATTY S from USA asks:	How do I trim or cut back my 40+ yr catus. It is heavier on one side and just not balanced looking? Help PATTY S with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	You can trim off pieces of the branches for a natural look again with a sharp scissors.


max from usa asks:	2 large branches broke off during a storm. how & in what should i plant them? Help max with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Place the branches in a moist of peat and perlite, or peat and sand mixture.Give less water at first to prevent rotting of cuttings. After two or three weeks, water as you would any other cutting. When cuttings are rooted, pot them in a very loose mixture of good potting soil.


Beth from USA asks:	I Have a Christmas Cactus that has flowered every year 2 of the plants flower in Dec and 1 flowers in Jan. All are in the same pot, they are bottom watered, so no water is in the top inches of the soil. Is it OK to bottom water this plant? The 1 plant that flowers in Jan seems to be shriveling up 1 of the branches fell off I just stuck it in the soil hoping it will develop roots. Why is it shriveling up and will I get the piece that fell off to grow again Help Beth with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	I think a lack of water. The Christmas cactus needs a well-drained soil. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. The length of time between waterings will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity. During the summer, water so that the soil is continually moist. When fall arrives, water the plant only well enough to prevent wilting. Normally the piece you placed also in the soil will grow and get roots.


Claudette Brown from USA asks:	my cactus is relativly new. I accuired it in Nov of 2005. Even then the soil was rock hard. I was overwatering it and have cut way back on that but the plant still seems to "look" like it needs something. I have not fertilized as yet but will this week. Does the hard soil need to be replaced? It is very large plant from a florist so I figured it was okay soil wise...HELP!!!!! Help Claudette Brown with an answer


FLORA POOLE from USA asks:	I purchase a christmas cactus 4 years ago it never bloom I found out this year that I needed to set it outside after all the frost had pass to incourage the blooms in the fall However after I set the plant out in April the end of April I notice that the plant was trying to bloom I left it in place outside and this is the middle of May and my christmas cactus will have bloom in a few more days have you ever heard of the plant blooming this time of year? Will It bloom again AT CHRISTMAS TIME.? Help FLORA POOLE with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Yes it can. If you want the flowers at Christmas time then you have to give it total darkness in late September to mid October.


Marylue Carroll from USA asks:	My cactus is over 20 year old. Unaware if it`s ever been repotted. This is the first year that it didn`t bloom. It has three large stocks. How and where do I separate for repotting? Help Marylue Carroll with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	The Christmas cactus should be re-potted about every three years, or whenever the pot is filled with roots and the soil appears to be depleted of nutrients. If your plant tends to dry out and/or wilt frequently, it may be also the time to repot the plant into a slightly larger container. Well-drained soil is a must for Christmas cactus. Christmas cactus usually is re-potted in the spring when it has no buds and blooms, but a plant which is unhealthy because of the root system can be re-potted at any time of the year.


Paula from USA asks:	I have a christmas catus that has not bloomed in 2 years. The only thing that changed is moving from one house to another. Please help. Help Paula with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	The Christmas cactus is easy to grow but is sometimes difficult to get to bloom. A medium light intensity and a soil high in organic matter are recommended. Do not allow the plant to dry out, water when the soil surface begins to feel dry. The Christmas cactus may be kept drier in the fall. Any fertilizer may be used (see the label directions). Cool temperatures or long nights are required to induce blooming. The plants bloom when given night temperatures near 55 degrees and day temperatures below 65 degrees. The flowering off the Christmas cactus is related to day length and night temperatures. The temperature range for flower bud development is 55 to 60 degrees for about a six week period. If temperatures remain in this range they will develop buds regardless of day length. If temperatures get above that range, the plant will need 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night. This can be done by placing them in a completely dark room, or covering them for the recommended time, or longer, each night with a dark piece of cloth.


Christy Taylor from USA asks:	I purchased christmas hollies from a catalog. My male hollies have died and the only thing that is sold in stores where I live is burford holly. Is there a difference in the two types of holly and if so will the two different hollies still make berries if I combine the different male and female? Help Christy Taylor with an answer


Maureen from Canada asks:	My catus continues to grow and get more leaves but since I have had it, it has never flowerd. What am I doing wrong? Maureen Help Maureen with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Give it long nights (about 14 hours darkness) and almost no water. Cool nighttime temperatures are preferred for buds to set (around 60� F).


Melody Johnson from USA asks:	Part of my Christmas cautus is beginning to break off from the main body. It is fairly large. Also, what is the best way to propagate the broken pieces? It is blooming now. Help Melody Johnson with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	To propagate place the branches in a moist of peat and perlite, or peat and sand mixture.Give less water at first to prevent rotting of cuttings. After two or three weeks, water as you would any other cutting. When cuttings are rooted, pot them in a very loose mixture of good potting soil.


Audrey McCombs from USA asks:	It is about ten years old. But I have had it only two. The first year it bloomed beautiful, this year only one flower came on. I have been doing the same thing for it all along. Now it is looking very sad. Help Audrey McCombs with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Look for your anwer and tips at Q&A-index Christmas cactus.


Lorraine Dopf from Canada asks:	When starting to bloom, how much should I water? Help Lorraine Dopf with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	You can find your answers at the Q&A index by Christmas cactus.


Mary from USA asks:	I have about a 10 year old cactus which flowers beautifully, but I noticed the last couple of years, especially now parts of the cacuts are falling off and the leaves are very thin. Some leaves are light gold in color, have I over watered? How do I tell if it has a fungus or something else? Help Mary with an answer
eric lonsdale says :	hi iam having a i bit of trouble with the root system of my christmas cactus plants droping of i do not over water the plants

Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :

Don�t give it much water. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. I don�t know if you ever re-potted in those years but once in the two or three years, or whenever pot is filled with roots and the soil appears to be depleted of nutrients you have to re-potted. Fertilize it when a tender growth appears in the spring, apply a weak solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer at 2 to 3 weeks. Maybe this gets your christmas cactus in the right condition again.


Gerene Malkowski from USA asks:	when and what do I feed the Christmas Catus? Help Gerene Malkowski with an answer
says :	Fertilize the christmas cactus monthly from the time new growth starts in late winter or early spring, and throughout the summer. Reduce fertilizer during the fall and early winter. Use a weak solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer.


gary summerskill from USA asks:	If a cat eats the flowers on the cactus, will it hurt them? Help gary summerskill with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Becareful with the Christmas cactus. Some say that�s poisonous for cats and others say that it�s not poisonous. So it�s better that you avoid it and don�t let your cat eating from the cactus.


Shirlee Bangert from asks:	my plant keeps dropping its new leafs? Help Shirlee Bangert with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Probably the water that may be too cold. It may be in a draft of hot or cold air. The light intensity could be too low or it could be overwatering. Any of the above could cause the symptoms you describe. So maybe you ask yourself if it could be one of those things.


Sue from USA asks:	I need to trasplant my catus but don`t know when is a good time . Also should I cut it back before replanting it? Help Sue with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	Christmas cactus can be repotted shortly after it has completed flowering, but don�t do it every year, as flowering actually is encouraged by the plant being pot-bound. You don�t need to prune it unless your intention is to propagate more plants from the cuttings.


Francie Thomas from USA asks:	My Christmas Cactus is blooming, but it is also turning a burgany color and slightly lifeless. Help Francie Thomas with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	I think it�s stress, which is probably caused by the lack of certain nutrients. Did you fertilize it? Or maybe it�s too much water that can also be the problem. They need little water.


Cliff Tonguis from USA asks:	Will the Christmas Catus with stand 25 degrees? Help Cliff Tonguis with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	The USDA hardiness zone for the Christmas cactus is from 9a (20� F)till 11(40� F). So it can but not much lower.


Lori from USA asks:	How/where do you cut a Christmas Catus so that it can be replanted to another pot to produce 2? Help Lori with an answer
Yourgarden Specialist Marian says :	To root cuttings for new plants, cut back shoots from the tips, cut at the second joint of each tip. Or take a short Y-shaped cutting of the stem tips. Place cuttings in a moist of peat and perlite, or peat and sand mixture.Give less water at first to prevent rotting of cuttings. After two or three weeks, water as you would any other cutting. When cuttings are rooted, pot them in a very loose mixture of good potting soil.