Can I downsize the pot for my Christmas cactus?

Question

My Christmas cactus is very big but not rootbound. It’s in a very heavy and deep pot but not getting enough sunlight. I would like to re-pot the entire plant into a hanging basket so it can get more light. The hanging basket is the same diameter as the current pot, but not as deep. Will my Christmas cactus die if I plant it in a more shallow pot?

Answer 1

Not certain, but it’s worth a try if that’s the only way that you can give it better growing condtions.

If the plant is a manageable size so that you can handle it without breaking apart the root ball, lift it out, tip it on it’s side and carefully break off the lower soil. Prune the lower roots with clean cuts from a sharp pruning shears. (If it’s in a plastic pot or clay pot, cut or break the lower section first so that the upper root ball will be more likely to remain intact as you remove the lower soil and trim the roots.)

Slide it into the new pot and water appropriately.

Put a dash of Superthrive as you water it in, to help avoid transplant adn root loss shock. https://www.domyown.com/superthrive-the-original-vitamin-solution-enhanced-with-kelp-p-9474.html