Interesting to see how many different opinions one plant can generate. Mentha, perhaps Xcacti are different but many plants -- particularly orchids and succulents develop a purple/red cast when growing at the upper end of their light limit. Growing them at that point is not necessarily a bad thing. Bleaching/burning, at least IME, general occurs when such limits are exceeded or, even more commonly, when plants have not been properly hardened off. I do see the one bleached/beige spot I believe you are talking about but if the plant was getting too much sun there would be more than just that one spot affected. So I would have to disagree with "too much light" I also don't believe I would up the pot size. However, a number of the segments do seem to be lacking in "plumpness". I would suspect a watering issue -- either insufficient watering, or too much water resulting in root loss.

Well Thanks, but I can't take credit for the observation abt the Angle of bloom. I actually learned at that wonderful site KS has linked (I'll have to bookmark it), that seems THE definitive site! You're 1/2 Portuguese? No kidding, (1) do you speak it? (2) what's the family name? So we're colonially related; how funny. (For those who don't know, Portugal is colonial parent to Brazil just as the UK is colonial parent to America.) I ask 'cause tho' I am American born, I was raised in Brazil, Rio actually the vicinity of which is (did you know this?) the native habitat of Christmas cacti!!! They're said to originate in the tropical forests immediately surrounding Rio. How's that for funny happenstance? I don't remember ever seeing them in Rio, tho' I lived in the city, not the forest, LOL, but I have vivid memories of seeing loads of Sans (in the tropics, I don't get it); Euphorbia milii (which disappointed me by being pretty little blooms but not fragrant) & Hibiscus, which comprised the hedges in front of my apmt bldg, & which blooms my sister & I used to mush up to use in pretend cooking (what can I say, we were little girls). Great fun, nice memories. A farm, what does the Family grow? I asked abt Bakersfield, 'cause I barely know California. I've briefly been in LA (was pulled over & stopped by cops for WALKING); have visited w/ our friend Norma (Dufflebag) who lives in near Burbank. Dated a San Diegan for some time so I know that city & that's it!

I agree, it looks healthy. Anywhere you want it to branch, you pinch off. Then, if you want more, you can either place the pinched off part in a glass of water or place it on some moist soil. If placed in water, plant in soil as soon as some roots start growing.

Laura, your epi is so cool...I might have to try and find one of those, are they easy to take care of? Similar to Hoyas or CC? Thanks! Beautiful AuntieJan!! Cute kitty, too... Regine, your soil might have a lot of peat in it, that might be why its so compacted...Peat is notorious for that. When I got mine Christmas '07, I repotted it right after it finished blooming. I added a lot of pine bark fines, turface and very coarse silica sand (Al's Mix) from the container forum. Mine drains very well, so the soil doesn't stay wet, seems to like it when the soil doesn't stay wet.