Trimming overgrown Christmas Cactus and Geranium?

Question

How would I properly trim back the Christmas cactus and geranium I have shown in the attached photos? The geranium is currently blooming. They are both going wild with growth.Thank you!

Answer 1

The geranium looks OK to me but if you pinch off new leaves, it will force new leaves from lower down or at the base. The holiday cactus needs a new pot, one with drainage holes and more soil so it isn’t sitting so low within the pot. When you repot, you may be able to separate a stem and root or one may break off which can thin be rooted in water for another plant. Prune back long stems to a lateral leaf or cut them out completely. The nature of this plant is to grow larger each year and fighting this, like trimming an overgrown bush, doesn’t produce the best esthetics, in my opinion. This plant is easily rooted in water and then planted. In the long run, starting over with a cutting will have a better appearance than curtailing its natural habit. Houseplants don’t need fertilizer over the winter and only monthly during the growing season. Over-fertilizing leads to lanky growth. Here is an article on pinching back geraniums. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/ …/geranium/pruning-geraniums.htm