christmas cactus

Question

Hi i have more questions u have answered me a couple of times, I replied back to one of your replies to me and have not received a reply sooo Im sending my other questions thru here. thank you. When I reply back from your reply to me don’t they come thru, did you receive my reply I don’t think you have otherwise I would have received a reply. this is what I replied with.

Hi Again,

Thanks so much for getting back to me on both of my questions. I always have questions, so I’ll keep you hoping. I’m excited this is the first time I have my own Christmas Cactus (my mother had one years ago) I didn’t know how she took take care of it. This was given to me from a friend of the family. He had said he doesn’t do too much fussing with it, him and his wife have several of them, he waters it when needed and I think plant food and just regular potting soil,he gets blooms plus he takes leaves and makes more, he has the knack.

Ok back to my question, I went to a gardening place and this is what the guy told me to get:

Hoffman: Horticulture Charcoal on package states: good for drainage and absorbs harmful impurities.

Hoffman: organic Cactus & succulent soil mix, which ingredients are: compost, Peat moss, sand, and limestone (PH adjuster).

Bonide liquid cactus plant food:

1/8 tsp. to quart water everytime you water it

1/4 tsp. to quart water if you feed your plant once or twice a month

Does charcoal retain water?

what is your opinion on these items?

also last but not least, in one of the links above (in my email), I think its the first one, to create more humidity, the article states:

Placing a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath the Christmas cactus container is a good way to add more humidity to the home.

won’t the pot the christmas cactus is in absorb the water? I also read that only put some water below the pepples to keep the christmas cactus from being wet.

I have 2 containers one on each side of my plant filled with water is this good or wasting water?

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Thank you very much for helping me

Vicki

Answer 1

No charcoal does not retain moisture, it acts as a filter and prevents odors.

A well draining soil is good and so is the fertilizer formula you list.