Planetagarden
- Why is my Christmas cactus Woody?
- How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?
- Should you trim a Christmas cactus?
- Do Christmas cactus like to be rootbound?
- How long does Christmas cactus live?
- How old is the oldest Christmas cactus?
- Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
- Why do buds fall off my Christmas cactus?
- What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?
- What does the Christmas cactus symbolize?
- How do I make my Christmas cactus bushier?
- When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
- How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
- Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
- Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?
- Is it OK to put Christmas cactus outside?
- How cold is too cold for a Christmas cactus?
- Is Christmas cactus poisonous to dogs?
- Is a Christmas cactus actually a cactus?
- How big can Christmas cactus get?
- How do you propagate Christmas cactus?
Why is my Christmas cactus Woody?
Hard, woody stems are normal for a healthy Christmas cactus that lives to a ripe old age. This means that you've kept your plant is healthy enough to become mature individual.
How do you rejuvenate an old Christmas cactus?
Proper care of old Christmas cactus includes cutting back overgrown branches and, sometimes, repotting the plant. One of the first steps in the care of old Christmas cactus is a good trim of the branches. When the branches become too long and heavy, they are likely to break off, so it's better if you trim instead.
Should you trim a Christmas cactus?
The best time to prune a Christmas cactus is right after it has bloomed. At this time, the Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and will start to put out new leaves. Pruning a Christmas cactus right after it blooms will force it to branch out, which means the plant will grow more of its distinctive stems.
Do Christmas cactus like to be rootbound?
Christmas Cactuses actually like to have their roots sort of crowded. This is a struggle for plant parents because it's tough to prevent them from becoming root bound when they actually grow best in a crowded pot.
How long does Christmas cactus live?
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when properly cared for, Christmas cacti can live for 20 to 30 years. If you provide long nights starting around October 1st, you can force the Christmas cactus to bloom year after year. Cool night temperatures can also encourage it to bloom.
How old is the oldest Christmas cactus?
They discovered the cactus was actually 111 years old. Bohnet, Miller's great-grandmother, gifted the plant to Jacquie Biloff's mother-in-law Gladys Biloff in 1952 after the then 50-year-old plant became too large for her home.
Do Christmas cactus like coffee grounds?
The answer is simple, yes! Coffee grounds can work on almost any type of cactus or succulent. ... Most water has an alkaline pH of around 8, whereas cactus like between 5.8 – 7 pH. This means that each time you water your Christmas cactus or succulent, you are actually feeding it a higher pH than what it likes.
Why do buds fall off my Christmas cactus?
A: It sounds as though your new Christmas cactus is reacting to a change in the environment. Dropping buds can be a result of overwatering, temperature extremes or lack of light. Your plant was given special treatment to make it bloom at Christmas, and it was provided with perfect growing conditions during this time.
What does an overwatered Christmas cactus look like?
In case you didn't remember to do this, one of the first overwatering symptoms on Christmas cactus will be limp leaves, which will start to drop off. Then the stems and branches will soften and get mushy. Severe cases will manifest with a foul odor and the stem will rot completely off.
What does the Christmas cactus symbolize?
Apparently, a young boy prayed to God, asking for a sign of Christmas as a reprieve from the heat and humidity of the jungle. On Christmas Day, when he emerged from his hut, he saw that the jungle had filled with the flowering cacti overnight.
How do I make my Christmas cactus bushier?
Or one side is growing faster than the other and you want it more symmetrical. If you are pruning to reduce the plants size then you can prune back by a third each year. This will also create a bushier plant with more places for blooms to develop. This cactus below is my example.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark?
Step 3: Move the Mature Cactus to a Dark Location
In late September or early October, place the mature plant in a dark room or keep it covered (under a box or bag works fine) for at least 12 hours a day.
How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
Christmas Cactus are extremely popular when November and December roll around. I happen to like them even when they're not in bloom and think they make fine houseplants. But wait, did you know that they can repeat flower? Mine started re-blooming in February, so yes, Christmas Cactus do flower more than once a year.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn't be sitting directly in water).
Can you root a piece of Christmas cactus in water?
To root a piece of Christmas cactus in water, you will need a few cuttings from a healthy Christmas cactus, a glass jar, and some pebbles or stones. ... If water levels evaporate, fill the jar back up to the appropriate level. Once you see roots form, it is okay to move the cuttings into soil.
Is it OK to put Christmas cactus outside?
Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. ... During summer, water to keep the growing mix moist after it dries on top.
How cold is too cold for a Christmas cactus?
They may tolerate short periods of temperatures below 50 degrees, but they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. All of the cacti are short-day plants. They require 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily to produce blossoms.
Is Christmas cactus poisonous to dogs?
The Christmas cactus is not poisonous to humans or cats and dogs. That is not to say you should go feeding your dog Christmas cactus leaves, however. The fibrous plant material of the cactus can cause vomiting and diarrhea in mass quantities.
Is a Christmas cactus actually a cactus?
The plant is not a true cactus and is not quite as drought tolerant as the name infers. However, it is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves. Christmas cacti are not only popular holiday gift plants, but they are also the subject of frequent debate among gardeners.
How big can Christmas cactus get?
Christmas cacti bloom just in time for the holidays (hence their name), and they're pretty stunning too. The hanging branches, which are made up of flat, glossy green segments, can grow to up to 3 feet long.
How do you propagate Christmas cactus?
The Christmas cactus is a relatively easy plant to propagate. Take cuttings of one to four segments and let them sit in a cool, dry place for two to four days. Plant an inch deep in new soil, preferably a sand/peat mix. Water sparingly until roots or new growth develop, then water as normal.
