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- Q.Christmas Cactus - Can you put outside in summer? In zone 7
- Q.Dealing With Christmas Cactus Root Rot - I've had two Christmas cacti in an 18" pot for over 10 years (smaller pot previous to that). One of ...
- Q.Advice On Repotting A Christmas Cactus - I am getting ready to repot this Christmas Cactus. At one time it belonged to my grandma who has passed ...
- Q.What Do You Do With The Left Flower Pods On The Christmas Catus - What do you do with the left flower pods on the Christmas Cactus.
- Q.Its Summer And My Christmas Cactus Produces Buds - I was at your sight looking up a question on my Christmas Cactus which obviously in not in a garden. ...
- Q.What Should A Christmas Cactus Be Fertilized With? - I am repotting a Christmas cactus that had root rot. Do I need to fertilize the cactus soil that I ...
- Q.Howe To Get Blooms?? - Should the Christmas cactus be covered for a few weeks before blooming?
Asked by
Anonymous on
May 16, 2021Q.Christmas Cactus
Can you put outside in summer? In zone 7
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 19, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Yes, but keep it in a shady area and be sure to bring it in before frost. The cool temperatures in fall will induce buds.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
May 26, 2021Q.Dealing With Christmas Cactus Root Rot
I've had two Christmas cacti in an 18" pot for over 10 years (smaller pot previous to that). One of the cacti got root rot and I have pulled out the plant from the planter. The other one seems not to have been affected. I have a smaller Christmas cactus that I've been growing for 2 years and is in a 6 inch pot. Can I plant the smaller plant in with the older one in the large planter? (Actually, I already did; but then had second thoughts if this was a poor idea.) Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Photo attached. P.S. It does seem that photo uploaded.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 31, 2021
Certified ExpertA.My concern was using the same infected soil. If you didn't change the soil, I would do that and clean the pot well too (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) before refilling. It needs to be loose and well draining such as a cactus mix.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/repotting-christmas-cactus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/christmas-cactus-root-rot.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 5, 2021Q.Advice On Repotting A Christmas Cactus
I am getting ready to repot this Christmas Cactus. At one time it belonged to my grandma who has passed many years ago. I don't believe it has been repotted since she had it. I noticed it wasn't as vibrant this last blooming season and have decided to give it a try. I have back up cuttings just incase I am not successful repotting it. I have included pictures and was wondering if you have any advice before I attempt this. Thanks for any help you may be able to lend. I will add photos the last one is 3 yrs ago and how it looked then.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 12, 2021
Certified ExpertA.I would cut it back to make it more even. There are a couple of gangly stems that are longer than the others. When you repot, only go up one size. Christmas cactus actually prefer to be rootbound. Use soil for cactus and succulents. Here is how to repot:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/repotting-christmas-cactus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/christmas-cactus-soil.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/woody-christmas-cactus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/christmas-cactus-fertilizer.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 18, 2021Q.What Do You Do With The Left Flower Pods On The Christmas Catus
What do you do with the left flower pods on the Christmas Cactus.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 30, 2021
Certified ExpertA.You can leave them to go to seed, or you can remove them at any time. Here is a collection of articles to help you with the care of the plant:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus
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Anonymous on
August 17, 2021Q.Its Summer And My Christmas Cactus Produces Buds
I was at your sight looking up a question on my Christmas Cactus which obviously in not in a garden. My Christmas Cactus is in my living room. I live in Wisconsin and my living room window faces south. My Cactus has been in the same spot since I bought it last fall. I bought it with many buds and some blossoms and it was beautiful. Many times this spring/summer, it produces buds - I have a couple right now - but they never bloom. Is this normal. I thought you had to "force" them to produce buds. Thank you for your time and information.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
August 31, 2021
Certified ExpertA.With the right conditions, they can bloom more than once a year. When Christmas cactus summers outside, the cool days of fall will initiate buds. Then the plant is brought inside before frost threatens. When kept indoors, the shorter days of fall and longer nights will initiate bloom. You can make sure your plant gets the longer, uninterrupted darkness by keeping it in a cool room where no lights will be turned on during the night.
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Anonymous on
October 19, 2021Q.What Should A Christmas Cactus Be Fertilized With?
I am repotting a Christmas cactus that had root rot. Do I need to fertilize the cactus soil that I purchased?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 23, 2021
Certified ExpertA.If the bag of cactus soil says it includes fertilizer, I would not add any more. If it doesn't contain fertilizer, I still would not add any at this time. Here are instructions for repotting and when to fertilize.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
jan.bjork on
October 23, 2021
Worcester MAQ.Howe To Get Blooms??
Should the Christmas cactus be covered for a few weeks before blooming?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
October 25, 2021
Certified ExpertA.You will need to make sure that the plant has more than 12 hours of pitch black darkness every day for several weeks to a few months, then return to a longer daylight cycle. This will initiate flowering. Along with this, temperature, humidity, and water levels will need to be altered, slightly, to mimic a dormancy season.
Here is an article that will help:
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