skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

A thank you...and help for an Easter Cactus

15 years ago

First of all, thank you to everyone here who was so helpful when I became a Thanksgiving cactus parent. This is its second winter with me, and it is about to pop with dozens of deep fuscia blossoms. I'll post pictures soon! I've been bringing it in, as its in the low 40's at night, but if its truly happy down into the 20s, maybe I'll put it back outside? I don't want to risk bud drop.

So my next question - my boss has an Easter cactus (best guess, based on her report and descriptions I've read here). It lives in our office, and gets indirect western exposure. I know that now is the time to start cutting back the water and temperature, but is there a good way to do this in the office? Someone told her to "put it in the basement for a few months", and while it would be cooler down there, it wouldn't get any light at all unless I set something up. (Which I'm willing to do). So - HOW cool does it need to be? Would giving it a full spectrum grow light in the basement be too much light? Also, its very rootbound. Should I transplant now, or wait till spring?

thank you in advance!

Lara

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

ks_girl
15 years ago
Hi Lara, I just brought in my holiday cactus about 1 1/2 weeks ago. It had been getting into the lower 40's and even down to 38 a couple times.
Most of mine had set buds allready so once they came inside the buds really took off growing and some are starting to open and I didn't loose even one bud and I have 60+ pots.

I'd leave it inside now since it can drop down over night and you wouldn't know it untill to late.
I wouldn't want mine to be out in 20 degree temps.

As for the spring cactus I'm still learning what they like, I do know they can be a pain at times.
I would not repot at this time of year but other than that I'll leave for someone with more experience growing them.

Jo
lilgreenfrog
Original Author
15 years ago
Wow, Ks-girl, 60 pots? That's an impressive collection! When I got home today I noticed the same thing you mentioned - some of my buds are really progressing quickly. So, I'll keep it in, but move it out of the kitchen, where I'm ripening a bunch of tomatos.

I hope one of the Easter cactus gurus will chime in with thoughts...I'm planning to take a cutting of my boss' plant!

Lara
Related Discussions
Need Help with Christmas/Easter Cactus!
Q
Comments (6)
Well Entero, I can't really help you with these, as I don't grow them well (yet) myself. I am just posting to inform you that your description of your current mix sounds exactly like what peat based mixes tend to do & why many of us try to avoid it. It's soggy when wet, they dries out so completely & hardens off, that it become impossible to wet. If you choose to change mixes, you'll likely need to soak the plant to soften this rootball enough to get that mix off the plant. I suspect the center of your rootball is completely hard & likely bone dry, essentially depriving the plant of water.
...See More
Easter Cactus...what now?
Q
Comments (4)
Are you giving these plants enough light? Those 'leaves' aren't leaves, but modified stems. And like the stems of any plant that do not receive sufficient light for the species, they become lank and leggy. These are tropical cacti, true cacti. The fleshy body of a desert (arid) cactus is also modified stem tissue. The spines of a cactus are modified leaves. Interesting, huh? Anyway, I don't think that your plants are receiving quite enough light.
...See More
Help! I think I've killed my Easter Cactus...
Q
Comments (3)
Only a few cacti have leaves, and Easter cactus is not one of them, it is the stem segments you are referring to. Yes, take a few cuttings. If the roots are lost, you will be better off with young segments as old, hardened segments at the base of the plant can be difficult to root. If they survive that is, root rot often causes the segments closest to the soil to die. Easter cacti are sensitive and will often drop segments if they are sick. If you find an Easter cactus puzzle on the floor one day (happened to me twice) you will automatically have a lot of cuttings. Otherwise cut off pieces of 1-3 segments with a sharp knife. Some people root them in water, other (like me) in damp sand or white moss or directly in potting compost. If you do not root them in water the cuttings should heal heal in a shaded spot for a week or so first. Red spots sometimes heal by themselves, but they can also be the result of a fungal disease that will kill the whole plant if untreated. Remove affected segments, just in case.
...See More
Easter Cactus and Sedum Acre help!?
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks Nat! Update on my easter cactus: the sides of the 2 main stalks are turing brown on the side. Almost like the skins of the plant has blistered but the skin is thin and dry. I have added links to see the cactus. Please tell me this isn't bad!? I hope my plant will survive. http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l158/Reylyred/ATT00001.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l158/Reylyred/ATT00004.jpg In the second picture: The small white horizontal line you see at the base of the plant is where my nail went through the dry part of the plant i described earlier. Here is a top shot of the cactus, do the brighter smaller leaves look healthy. They feel flimsy as though they are going to fall off when i touch them. http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l158/Reylyred/ATT00005.jpg any help would be great. Thank you, Ashley P.S. there is very little left of my Sedum left, I think its almost dead. :(
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Creative Ideas for Cactus and Succulent Gardens

By Laura Gaskill

Arrange cactuses and succulents amid salvaged treasures, against a vibrant painted wall or in terraced beds

HOUSEPLANTS Great Houseplant: Holiday-Blooming Cactus

By J. Peterson Garden Design

You may know it as Christmas cactus, but whichever holiday floats your boat, this plant is a year-round beauty

CONTAINER GARDENS Cactus and Succulent Containers Are Ideal for Hot, Sunny Spots

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bring on the sun with these heat-loving succulent container gardens

COLOR PALETTES Easter Egg Inspiration: 9 Great Ways to Use Pastels

By Becky Harris

Mint green, light aqua, pale pink, blossom yellow and soft lavender can bring spring beauty into your home

HOLIDAYS 10 Ways to Set the Table for an Amazing Easter

By Lily Gahagan

Go Over the Top or Sleek and Contemporary for Your Spring Dining Decorations

HOLIDAYS 16 Creative Ways to Hide Easter Eggs

By Shawn Gauthier

Crack of dawn on Sunday not your ideal thinking time? Just follow our creative egg-hiding ideas and pretend Peter Cottontail did the work

DECORATING GUIDES Color of the Week: Easter Lily

By Jennifer Ott Design

Lighten and brighten your home with a yellow-kissed white on the walls

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Set a Beautifully Traditional Easter Table

By Add a Pinch | Robyn Stone

Hatch a plan for a classic tablescape with white and silver tableware and a sprinkling of lighthearted decorations

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: 38 Years of Renovations Help Artists Live Their Dream

By Esther Hershcovich

Twin art studios. Space for every book and model ship. After four decades of remodeling, this farmhouse has two happy homeowners

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Are cacti legal to sell online?

3

Free plants or cuttings

5

Can I trim this plant?

1

Moon Cactus help

4

21 year old Jade Plant 4ft tall Pruning Repotting Questions Concerns

3