I also have been having a mealy problem with my large jade. I have been doing the rubbing alcohol treatment using a q-tip to kill the bugs one by one, because I've read that some people have damaged their jades with the alcohol mixture (alcohol and water)...not sure how they were using it, but I didn't want to take chances either way). Anyway, I've been doing the q-tip treatment for a few weeks now, every single day. And believe me, EVERY day I find a bunch of new mealies. So for me, it hasn't been working. Also, I've done the alcohol spray on some of my hoyas that have mealies...they are mostly gone but they keep reappearing on new growth - it's so frustrating! I decided to spray Neem Oil (diluted with water of course, and with some dish soap - just as the directions say), and I'm hoping that works. I've heard good things about Neem, and it's 100% natural (just make sure you get a good brand...I have Dyna Gro, I think). I really don't think water alone will do the trick, but I don't have much experience with mealies...it's just hard to believe that water alone would kill them and keep them away. Using natural predators is a good idea too, like you mentioned. Good luck, Gabi

I would take apart that branch and start a new pot. The main plant probably needs to be repotted. Clean out as much as the old potting mix you can, trim the roots a bit and put it in a new fast draining mix. You can search 5-1-1 mix here and repotting. There are lots of explanations. If you are on Facebook there is a group called Holiday Cactus Lovers group with lots of helpful people. Most of them prefer to repot using a fifty fifty mix of potting soil and perlite. If you repot, tale your time and read up here. I'm happy to answer specific questions if you need it. My weekend will be busy so it might take a bit before I respond. If the clades on the fallen branch are withered, sometimes they can be saved by putting them i a ziplock baggie full of water for a day or two. Just flip the bag every day. I actually forgot about one for about two weeks and it had sprouted roots. Good luck!

Hi Kitkat & Welcome, I'm going to assume you don't know about these plants, so if I say something which sounds obvious or that you already know, I ask in advance that you pls. excuse me. Xmas cacti are jungle cacti, not desert cacti (as some folks mistake them), so they want & need water. They naturally grow in the branches of trees in the tropics, so in these branches or crotches of trees as they're called, they don't really have soil, just leaves, debris & animal droppings that collect there. Key is that any water runs right through this debris & doesn't stay in the roots long at all. The roots of these plants can look surprisingly small & indignificant. What do you mean by the soil looks like cinder? I don't know that word, does that mean like burnt ashes of firewood as example, like burnt cinders? I agree with statement above that woody growth can be normal, just a sign of older growth, so pls. disregard that. I suggest you take cuttings & start new ones; then repot the old, original plant as well. The leaves are referred to as segments or stems. It's recommended that a cutting should have 3-5 segments on each one cutting. I'd use small plastic pots, & place a number of cuttings around the outer edge of the pot & one or 2 in the center. I just checked my reference book & confirmed that largish plants can be kept in smallish pots, say a plant 12" wide & maybe 8-10" high, could easily remain in a pot only 4-5" in diameter. The mix should be something like African violet soil readily available at nurseries, box stores, etc. w/ added perlite, say 1/3 perlite to 2/3 AV soil. This will make for light & airy mix, fast draining which is what these plants need. Only water the new cuttings lightly as without roots, they can't really take up the water. Give them bright, indirect light or place them at the edge of a window. Either water lightly every few days or spray the top of the mix w/ a plant mister. Pls. don't tug on the cuttings to check for rooting, just wait to see new growth; when you do that means the cuttings have rooted; then you can you can water more. If the original rootball & its mix are hardened, soak them first, in a basin of warm water & crumble off the old mix w/ your fingers as much as you can & repot in a fresh mix. Hope I've covered everything, you should see new growth in 4 weeks I'm guessing, if not before then. Good for you for wanting to rescue & do right by this plant. May it reward you w/ lots of blooms next year. Are the edges of the stems jagged or rounded? Jagged indicates Thanksgiving cactus, rounded indicates Christmas cactus. Good luck!

I don't know your night temps, so can't so speak to putting it outside 'til Fall. But these are tropical cacti (grow in forest w/ LOTS of humidity) so Summer Rains should be OK, BUT, I'd hang them in the trees, not leave them out open & unprotected from rain or direct sunlight. These plants DO NOT WANT direct sun & can burn from it. Even tho' you used C&S soil, you;'ll still need to add a lot of perlite to it, like 30-50%. Next time I'd use African Voilet (AV) soil, it's lighter & fluffier & still needs perlite added too. C&S mix is too heavy & lean for these plants, I learned that the hard way & switched to using AV mix w/ perlite & some park thrown in. Works well indoors in NYC where I am, w/ all Western exposures.