Cannot send a picture don't have a phone nor a camera.
If the older stems are woody at the base, that is normal. However, if your leaves begin to wilt or show signs of more dramatic change, you must treat the plant quickly. Here's an article to help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/christmas-cactus-diseases.htm
the plant is at least 8 to 10 years old.
Fresh soil would do it a world of good. Use a commercial potting mix for succulents and cacti for best results. Only go up one container size.
Here is how:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/repotting-christmas-cactus.htm
Hello, I have a large christmas cactus that has been in the same pot for many years (10" dia. X 8" deep) and have a 10" dia. X 10" deep, is it worth repotting into the deeper pot or should I buy a larger dia. pot?
If you do, it only needs to be an inch or two larger. Too large, and you risk overwatering and infection.
This article will help:
I have a Christmas Cactus that has never bloomed . I have not given her water unless it does need it . Can you please help.
Are you wanting to start a winter vegetable garden or early spring? Here are articles with lots of suggestions:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/when-to-plant-crops-in-fall.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/spring-planting-crops.htm
This article has helpful tips on how to get your Christmas cactus to bloom: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-make-a-christmas-cactus-bloom.htm
I need to leave these plants unattended for two weeks while I am away.
As long as the plant doesn't completely dry out, it should be fine and could, perhaps, produce stellar blooms once you take it out of the darkness. Here's an article about the bloom cycles: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/how-to-make-a-christmas-cactus-bloom.htm
My cactus has outgrown the 8"ceramic pot that its in. I have a bigger pot but is only 4 1/2" deep. Its about 11" wide at top and 12" at widest part. Will this be deep enough? Thanks
Although this plant doesn't mind having its roots a bit cramped, it needs to be in soil that isn't compacted. I'm not sure your plant's root ball would fit in such a shallow pot, at least not for long, if it's outgrown its current one. You'll need to transplant it at the same level as it was growing in the 8" pot, so this may not work. This article contains a lot of good info about repotting your Christmas cactus.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/repotting-christmas-cactus.htm
Years ago probably six or seven years ago… A friend gave me a Christmas cactus and a jar of water. It’s quite large. I put it in the windowsill of my kitchen window. And it blooms every year in the winter. However it’s still sitting in the water. I add water to it every week or so. But I want to plant it in soil. But I’m afraid I’m going to kill it. Have you ever heard of such a thing?? Like I said it blooms every year still sitting in the jar of water. It’s very healthy.
This is an unusual circumstance. They don't usually bloom well in water, alone, since it will not contain enough nutrients to sustain a plant.
Planting into the appropriate soil will help it to grow quite fast, and flower very well, though.
This article will help you to do so:
These articles will help you with their, general, care: