I transplanted my Christmas cactus from a plastic pot to a clay pot thinking it would help it. It was looking rather sickly, so I asked a friend and she suggested a clay pot. It is still looking no good and hasn't bloomed since last summer. So now I'm wondering if I'm using the wrong soil or should it be in a different pot. Please help me because I need to heal this plant.
Here are some articles that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-make-a-christmas-cactus-bloom.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-propagate-and-plant-christmas-cactus.htm
How many rooted cuttings should I put in one pot to have a nice sized plant? Or, will one cutting per pot be enough?
Once a rooted cutting establishes itself, it will grow offshoots to fill the pot. However, this can take many years. Putting a few cuttings in each pot will help it fill in faster.
I have a problem with my Christmas cactus. It is healthy, but it also has tiny black seed-type things on the leaves that must pop off because I have them on the wall, counter, and even the ceiling around the plant. These stick to the surface they land on and are very hard to get off. Is this an aspect of the plant or perhaps a pest on the plant? Also, can I keep the plant outdoors in a Zone 9 for the spring/summer?
Try treating the plant with neem oil. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
My Christmas cactus did not bloom as much as usual this past season. I repotted it about 3 years ago. The past 3-4 months, the last joint on the leaves has been dropping off, the color is a light green or yellowish. Also, my ferns (3) are small and new, their fronds seem to be drying out. I never received an instruction sheet on their care, please advise me on the care of all of the above.
It sounds like your cactus needs a little fertilizer. Give it a light application of fertilizer.
This article should help you with your ferns:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/boston-fern-care.htm
How do you propagate Christmas cactus?
This article will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-propagate-and-plant-christmas-cactus.htm
One of the branches that looks like a small tree trunk on my Christmas cactus is getting soft and the tree bark is peeling near the soil. I haven't over watered; I give it water when it feels dry. About a month ago, I took it to a nursery, carefully, so as not to break any of the branches. I was told it needed to be watered, but again one of the branches had to be taken out of the soil because I was told it was rotting. This is a little over a month ago, since then I watered the cactus one more time sparingly. A few days later (about a week), I watered it again and added very little water. The leaves seem to be ok, not limp, but the softness or rot seems to be advancing on that particular branch, which is relatively large. I don't want to lose any more branches and would hate to see anything happen to it. Please advise what to do.
It sound like root rot fungus has set in. Mostly it occurs when it is overwatered, but it can happen even without overwatering. I would treat the soil with a fungicide. This article may also help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/treating-root-rot-gardening-tips-for-housplants.htm
You may want to start a few new plants, just in case. This article will help with that:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-propagate-and-plant-christmas-cactus.htm
How do I make my Christmas cactus bloom?
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-make-a-christmas-cactus-bloom.htm