It sounds to me that the soil has hardened and that the water is running around the sides of the root-ball and out the pot. After ten years, I'd certainly expect this to be the case. I've had great success growing Christmas Cactus in a mix that is mostly Orchid Bark (fine grade). It can be watered thoroughly and often, without fear of excess moisture or root-rot. Josh

In May or June you can do your re potting.I transplanted a large one about 12 years ago& divided it.It was in a large azealia pot.I did trim my segments also.I looked for the ones that had grown like a single stem by itself(Those with older plants will understand that better cause some of their segments have broke and formed new starts on tips of 2-3 new branches)I varied how far I cut them(most we're 10-17 segments long) I did root prune my friends portion.she potted hers in a colinder so could sit plant in her grandmas old wash bowl that was in a stand with mirror.Hers still bloomed that year,but the following year outbloomed mine.I still use cactis mix.I lived in Indpls IN then so the re potting time should be about right. My roots we're tight.they loosened some durring the split.hers wouldn't fit where she wanted it unless roots we're pruned.I took machette and made an X& just lossened mine up & removed some of old soil...up till the split I did as you....top with new soil when needed.That plant looked great till wintered in hubbys garage and a section of plants got a engine hoist dropped on them.I then learned they don't root worth crap in winter. Good Luck!

The ones I use are called Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, they're an Australian native ladybird beetle, I'm in south east Queensland, in Australia, but from what I understand the company export to other countries, below is a bit of the blurb from the company I get them from, Bugs for Bugs: Mealybug predator ""Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Cryptolaemus are Australian native ladybird beetles. They are very efficient natural enemies of mealybugs. Cryptolaemus have been exported to many other countries and are recognised as powerful predators of mealybugs worldwide. The adult beetle is about 4mm long with an orange head and black wing covers. The larvae grow to 13mm long and are covered in waxy filaments. The larvae look very much like mealybugs and are often confused with them. Adult female beetles lay up to ten eggs per day directly into mealybug eggmasses. They can lay up to 500 eggs in total. Adult beetles and young larvae feed on mealybug eggs and young stages. Large cryptolaemus larvae can also consume adult mealybugs. The life cycle takes from 4 to 7 weeks depending on temperature. In addition to mealybugs, Cryptolaemus will also feed readily on many species of soft scales including black scale, pulvinaria scale and cottony cushion scale."" http://www.bugsforbugs.com.au/cryptolaemus-information/ http://www.bugsforbugs.com.au/ http://www.bugsforbugs.com.au/products/bio-control-agents/ I've only ever released them in my shade house and just outside but they work absolute wonders, I also use lacewing larvae from the same company, they also have parasitic wasps for mealybugs. I had a huge problem with mealy bug, especially root mealy bug, for a long time, tried all sorts of horrible solutions, I have over 500 potted plants just in my shade house and I was losing so many plants, more through the useless solutions than the mealy bug but these little cuties fixed them in a few weeks. That was about two years ago and mealy bug numbers are only now starting to build up again so they must survive on something else.

Light would be problem only if it was kept in very low light before op received the plant. But even then, it is in the corner that cuts down on light. Light coming thru the window panes is much less intense too, and even more so if windows have any UV protection (we don't know that). I also see another plant that seems to be in front of CC. So light doesn't seem to be the problem. Karen is correct. I have large TC (not CC, but they have similar needs), that I keep outside, and it gets quite a bit of sunlight. Color of segments gets reddish, but they do not shrivell. As you can see, segments are not wrinkly in much stronger sunlight than op's plant This plant was given to me in 2012, and every spring it goes outdoors. I am not suggesting to do same, just pointing out what happens to segments i lots of sunlight. I have few TC, 3 young CC and few Spring/Easter cacti. They all seems to react same way: if thirsty, leaves get droopy and may shrivell. I try not to get them to that point... mamapollina I actually do not see wrinkled segments. Is it possible for you to take close-up, clear photo of the problem?