Christmas Cactus care
evergreen_2009
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (34)
norma_2006
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Christmas cactus blooming. . . hope I didn't hurt it
Comments (6)The business of bud drop on moving themm, seems to be abt moving them while they're setting the buds, 'til they get at least an inch long (or perhaps almost their full length, just not open). It's when the buds are developing that they seem to be most vulnerable to dropping. As mine hangs in the window, I don't touch it, or move or turn it (laziness on my part), it's fine. MIM, Pls. try to relax, likely it'll be fine, just don't turn or move it all from here on out, 'til finished blooming. Watering it was not a problem (blooming is a lot of work, I continue to water mine). I wouldn't have used those spikes either, but it prob. not a problem, tho' if you can remove the mushy spike w/ a spoonful of mix, I'd do so. Whoever said they fertilize right after bloom & give it a bit of water, I'd disagree w/ that, 'cause the plant takes a rest for at least a month after blooming. Mine usually looks awful at that time, I consider it tired & resting & leave it be for a month or so, then water some. Once I see the first new segments, I resume full strength watering. I disbelieve this business of watering would make the blooms too heavy & cause them to drop. Nonsense, these plants hail from tropical Rio de Janeiro, sometimes in the January rains (when this blooms & the rains can cause floods there), it rains buckets, the blooms would never have survived. (I grew up there, so I can personally attest to those heavy rains). I think your plant will be fine, I know it's exciting to see 1st buds. Just pls. be patient, leave it alone & watch the buds grow. Congrats on yr. buds & I hope they do well for you!...See MoreChristmas Cactus to much sun?
Comments (11)My Mom was gave a pink one in 1973 - it bloomed non-stop for 32 years! It had atleast 2 blooms on it all year round and about Dec. or Jan. would really put on a show. My Mom passed away 3 years ago and I took the plant - it was huge! I treated it the same as she did: Full Sun, water once a week and Job Spikes. Well.... the dang thing was just acting just like yours, Hobbes! I did everything I could think of, along with everything the local flower people and a few off of here said - nope she just wasn't happy :( Last week I gave her to my oldest sister to see if she could make it happier than I did.... But! Late December I puchased a Double Pink one that was in terrible shape from lack of water! She is doing AWSOME! Bloom, Bloom, Bloom and putting on new leaves everywhere! IMO sometimes it doesn't matter what you do - plants are like spoiled children - they don't like change no matter how nice you are to them LOL Marie...See MoreHow to take care of a Christmas Cactus
Comments (24)I have a light pink, red, white and a yellow one. I happened to be at my daughter's nursery one day when some were delivered and she asked how to care for them..He said if you have a nice shade tree in the spring and summer put them under it. Let mother nature take care of the watering. Which I take to mean they don't need a lot of water and do best in the shade. Before frost bring them in and put them in a place where they do not get full light. He said to get good blooms they need some darkness every day.To root, he says it is better to break off at a fork and just stick in potting soil, much better than rooting in water.His advise has worked for me. Betsy, I do hope you can find a white. They are my favorite....See MoreWanted: purple Christmas cactus & true Christmas cactus cuttings
Comments (0)I'm looking for purple Christmas cactus cuttings and true Christmas cactus cuttings. I live in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada....See Moretjicken
14 years agomeyermike_1micha
14 years agoblutarski
14 years agogardenbear1
14 years agoseamommy
14 years agomeyermike_1micha
14 years agomeyermike_1micha
14 years agojohnh_or
14 years agoUser
14 years agojohnh_or
14 years agoseamommy
14 years agomeyermike_1micha
14 years agoriap
13 years agojeslookin50
13 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years agojeslookin50
13 years agoriap
13 years agoUser
13 years agoriap
13 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years agotjicken
13 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years agotjicken
13 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years agoriap
13 years agonotolover
13 years agoUser
13 years agogreenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
13 years agoriap
13 years agoUser
13 years agoriap
13 years agoriap
13 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEPLANTSGreat Houseplant: Holiday-Blooming Cactus
You may know it as Christmas cactus, but whichever holiday floats your boat, this plant is a year-round beauty
Full StoryHOLIDAYSHow to Care for Your Christmas Tree
Keep your tree looking lush until the last ornament is packed away with these tips for watering, using stands and more
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Creative Ideas for Cactus and Succulent Gardens
Arrange cactuses and succulents amid salvaged treasures, against a vibrant painted wall or in terraced beds
Full StorySOUTHWEST GARDENINGTall Cactuses Bring Drama to Southwestern Gardens
See how 5 columnar cactuses add a striking design element to warm-weather gardens, courtyards and entries
Full StoryCONTAINER GARDENSCactus and Succulent Containers Are Ideal for Hot, Sunny Spots
Bring on the sun with these heat-loving succulent container gardens
Full StoryGROUND COVERS10 Succulents That Make Pretty, Easy-Care Ground Covers
These low-growing succulents create interest in the drought-tolerant garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESBackyard Birds: How to Care for American Goldfinches
The American goldfinch is a bright-in-the-summer visitor and one of the only vegetarian songbirds. Here's how to give them a healthy habitat
Full StoryDENS AND LIBRARIESHow to Care for Your Home Library
Increase your enjoyment of books with these ideas for storing, stacking and displaying them
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Counters: Stunning, Easy-Care Engineered Quartz
There's a lot to like about this durable blend of quartz and resin for kitchen countertops, and the downsides are minimal
Full StoryHOLIDAY HOME TOURSExperience a Victorian Christmas at the Gibson House
Step back in time into the extravagant and carefully preserved Boston residence of a wealthy widow, decorated elegantly for the holidays
Full Story
hostalover360