Purple, I've enjoyed reading this thread and wanted to add my $.02 worth. The first thing I noticed is that the stems appear to be flacid.....wilty. That could be caused by over OR under watering.....whichever might cause the roots from being able to access water. In this case, I wonder if the water you're applying is evacuating before soaking the whole soil volume. One thing about these plants (all plants) is that though they need to dry out somewhat between drenchings, the potting soil must be completely saturated on watering day. This is true for all plants, even those cacti that are native to extremely arid regions. Have you ever seen "Medicine Man ", a movie starring that gorgeous specimen of manhood Sean Connery? It takes place in the rainforest of Brazil. There are scenes of my lovely Sean ziplining through the forest canopy, sharing the scenes with huge epiphytic cacti and other plants. Really neat movie. Plus, it stars Sean Connery. I get that it's difficult to understand how those prickly, barrel shaped desert cacti have ANYTHING to do those graceful rainforest plants. Here's what I "think " is a good analogy, but don't laugh at me toooooo hard if it really stinks. Take your dog into consideration for a moment. It's a mammal. So are you and the pesky squirrels in your yard. Big differences amongst those three mammals yet they share essential similarities. Still with me? Now, think of those incredible bottlenose dolphins familiar to anyone living in coastal areas. Superficially, they seem to have so little in common with your dog, but those porpoises are just another type of mammal. They live in a different environment, for sure, but the similarities are much more important than the differences. You just need to try to provide the kind of environment your dolphin needs. :-) Dorie

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!

Here's another one who keeps the plants inside all year round! It's way too early for me to even think about checking the CC for flower buds, though. Mine will be in full flower sometime in early to mid-December, though. I am wondering about one of my plants this year. It's a clone that I propagated several years ago, it has three identical 'sisters'. Or USED to be identical, lol. I transplanted this one into our pal Al's potting mix, and it has proceeded to double (or more) in size in the course of 6 or 7 months! Good grief. I'll be curious as to whether this will affect the flowering performance. The growth has slowed down, as I would expect it to at this time of year. (Thank GOODness, lol)

I cannot thank all of you enough! Nomen you definitely know you stuff and it is very kind of you to take the time to share your expertise with me and everyone on this site! Silenteyesspy, thanks for the offer! I will remind you this coming summer. please don't forget me! I just noticed last evening a small bug moving in the soil of two of my plants (wispy webby stuff and brown at bottom of stem of one- could be spider mites). I had just got one of these plants from Trader Joes. I did seem to resolve fungus gnat Problem. I have not seen one! I quickly quarantined the plants that seem to be affected and am going to get a good general organic spray recommended by my local garden center. Thanks to everyone again and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Lynn :)