Xmas cactus don't have leaves. Each 'branch' is a stem composed of numerous little segments or joints. At the end of each segment are the cells that will initiate new root growth. And more stems, down the road. Stem cuttings won't work unless they are nice and healthy. Don't even bother if the stem sections you're trying to propagate are still soft and wrinkled. Each cutting should consist of three or four segments. Don't be tempted to take large cuttings (with a bunch of segments), as that will greatly reduce your success. I actually never let mine dry out for a few days, but I know that others urge that you do so. As long as you use plenty of perlite in your potting medium, rot will not be a problem. Take as many cuttings as you like. I will typically take three from the same plant and insert them (together) in a small clay pot for rooting and growing. These cuttings result in a well-balanced finished plant. Also, I'd strongly suggest that upon sticking the cuttings into your perlite/potting medium that you drench it then and there. Those cuttings will need moisture in the beginning. Again, by adding plenty of perlite, you reduce the chance of rot. (You can even use 100% perlite, which is what I do.) Attached is an image of a cactus stems consisting of about three segments each.

Purple, some Ebay sellers sell un-rooted TC cuttings over 100.00. lol I noticed plant prices on ebay increased the last year, but the prices they want for TC's is absurd. Nancy, is changing color a natural process? Ex, like Brunfelsia, 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow's' blooms starting out purple, then pink, then white. Not sure colors in the correct order. Or is it a matter of more sun compared to other TC's? Lucky you...Is it true orange?? Wow! Okay, I now want orange or tangerine, whatever they coin the color. lol. That's a fantastic deal, especially for a 6"er. Local stores want 4.99 for a 4-inch pot. Thank you. I placed the TC in the same window it's been living the last couple years..crossing my fingers. Julianna..Did you see the 400.00 plant on Ebay? As long as people are willing to spend so much money, sellers will keep up'ing prices. I also believe some people enjoy bidding/gambling. lol. I honestly think they don't care about the plant/product...to some winning is important. Nancy...Beautiful!!! You lucked out with that guy.. BTW, how's your yellow's doing? Are they still officially yellow?

HMMM, well, I am almost disappointed. Of course, the variety you named, I believe makes it a parent of a true Christmas Cactus. I thought for sure it was one from pictures and descriptions I had seen. Totally not upright in its growth, etc. Oh well, none the less, I do think it has been around for some time and it is pretty big. Plus it did bloom at Christmas through the first couple weeks of January. So, I am not going to tell it any different!!! I am going to give the re-potting a whirl this weekend and will keep my fingers crossed that I do not break much. Thanks for the details on what to do. Lastly, since it does hang down so much, and it looks pretty silly with it staked up like I have done. Do you use any of those florist type wire rings, or something like that for support? (Like a very small tomato cage that would follow the edge of the pot?) Thanks to everyone for the help and the ideas of how to treat my very pretty cactus. I can't wait to try my hand at getting it to bloom this Christmas. Hazel

Giving the plant direct sun should allow proper growth, but limiting nitrogen may help as well (especially if you can't give it enough light). As for phosphorous, most plants use N-P-K in approximately a 3:1:2 ratio. That means P should be the smallest number, yet most fertilizers use something more like a 10-10-10 or 10-15-10 formulation which provides far more P than most plants can use. When growing cuttings from succulents you should always allow the cutting to callous over for at least a day, and as long as several weeks for large wounds. The cut needs to be completely dry and sealed off in order to prevent rot. Pieces that fall off shouldn't have large wounds, but may still need a few days to callous over properly. A porous soil also goes a long way in preventing rot in cuttings. It looks like it could be a very nice plant if you cut off the skinny growth and get it growing nice and fat again. Good luck to you.