skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

Holiday cactus from Grandma

Pluto1415 (6a/b, NE Ohio)

5 years ago

My husband's grandmother has had a "holiday" cactus of some sort for a long time now. I'm pretty sure it's a Christmas Cactus as it has rounded edges, but I'll post here for confirmation later. Grandma passed away about 18 months ago and I'd like to ask her daughter to bring me a cutting tomorrow to the family picnic. I know she'll bring the cutting if I ask, so that's not an issue, but my question is how many segments long should the cutting be? I'm pretty sure I've read at least 2, but do my chances double if it's 4? I'm also going to ask her to bring me a couple different cuttings from different branches to increase my odds.

Once I get the cuttings, most of what I've seen says lay them on the soil/gritty mix until you see roots, then start spritzing/watering (just like many other succulents). Does anyone who has actually grown these from cuttings have any tips?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Rob Blomquist
5 years ago
I don't know that they would double, but the would be better. An get multiple cuttings, say four at a minimum.
socks
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
These root very easily for me. I think I've rooted as little as two segments. Probably would be better to have 4 or more segments. I've never had holiday cuttings rot. I don't lay them on the potting mix. I insert them in a dry, fast draining mix for a week or two in the shade, then water thoroughly and water again when dry. No spritzing or spraying. I don't wait to see growth before watering. If they start to wilt or fade, I water then. Not sure if this will work for you, but it's what I do. Good luck Keep us posted on how you do. If she brings you quite a few cuttings, you could try a couple different ways.
Related Discussions
Holiday Cactus Seed Pods Pics
Q
Comments (8)
Very nice pix, esp. of just those pale blooms. I got a seedpod once (I hand polinated it, is that what you did?). I left it on the plant for a year expecting it to redden & fall off. It got red but never fell off. I finally took it off & checked out the insides. Messy endeavor, goey inside, I didn't pursue the seeds, which I now wish I had. I'd suggest give it a good long time & let it (them redden up). Your seedpods seem kind of oblong, mine was very round & apple-like. Good luck!
...See More
WANTED: Pollen trade - Holiday Cactus/Epi cactus
Q
Comments (1)
Karen99, I would love to trade pollen/cutting with you. I clicked on your page and I cant email you. You can email me if you want to. Grantgarden2
...See More
Holiday Cactus ID
Q
Comments (21)
I wanted to thank everyone for their help. All in all, i got 2 survivors from all the cuttings. If i could do it again, i think I would have gotten maybe 4 or 6, but hey, that's what its all about, learning. I have come upon a problem though. I am just not seeing any new growth. Back when i took the cuttings they had flower buds. I removed the buds so they could focus on rooting. Once they were rooted well, and things started to get going, i moved the two cuttings that did well into one pot containing gritty mix. A few months back, they tried to set buds again. I removed all but one, i should have taken it off too, but it got huge fast, and bloomed with a single beautiful bloom. It did this on the anniversary of the death of the person to whom it belong, so there was as feeling of symbolic significance to the bloom. Looking back, this probably drained the one plant of energy it really needed to channel into making pads. The long of the short of this post is, i wonder what I could be doing wrong to keep them from producing new pads? They are in a southern window, in the dappled shade of weeping figs and elephant bush. This area has constant air movement from a ceiling fan on low. I user FP and PT, 1/4 tsp every watering of each, though recently i moved up to 1.5 tsp on the FP. I lightly flush with every watering. My only idea is that i used DA instead of turface in this mix, which could have my PH a bit high, but i don't think these a fussy about that. Please let me know what you think! Photo taken today Photo of the single bloom from april PS: The plant on the right in the first picture is actually the really red one from my original post. It greened up as soon as i started feeding with FP. Must have been a nutrient deficiency. The plants had been in the same soil for probably a decade without re-potting and most likely without any fertilization.
...See More
Help with gifted Holiday cactus
Q
Comments (13)
Hello everyone! Thank you very much for your replies!! I repotted the plant into a 4in clay pot....all my other plants are in clay pots, I feel like I have a little more control over moisture that way... What I thought was a fungus, might have just been where something from within the soil leached out and into the perlite, and crusted ontop of the soil. The roots looked good, just very wet. I potted it in a mix I had on hand....1 part african violet soil and 2 parts perlite. I would have gona out and bought new soil...but, it's getting close to Christmas, and I sorta felt a little guilty getting myself something before I had all the presents for my kids bought. I think it will be fine as long as I made diligent about how much water I give it. I appreciate all of your adivce!
...See More
User
5 years ago
Make sure the pot you use drains and not too big. I just stick the end in the potting soil.
hellkitchenguy Manuel
5 years ago
I wouldn't use a gritty mix for a holiday cactus
User
5 years ago
I use regular potting soil mix. They are NOT a cactus, despite the common name.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htm
Jeff (5b)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Holiday cacti are technically cactus, they're just not desert cactus. I like to have mine in a looser mix than just regular potting soil--quite a bit of bark and perlite.

I wanted to start over with some of mine and have rooted four sets of three cuttings since winter and they're growing like mad in that soil mix. Most of them are two segments each, but some were just one and a couple were three. I don't know if the number of segments makes a difference, but I've heard from unreliable sources that they shouldn't have a lot of branching off the segment that will be rooted.

I would ask for multiple cuttings like Rob wrote and take socks' advice. I generally rotted 1 out of 4 cuttings because they were a little too wet too soon (I'm guessing), having watered them lightly right away, even though in a very porous mix. It was also rather cool where they were.

So I had four segments from each plant and ended up with three of each, which will eventually make for a decent sized 'plant' after they grow and ramify.

Related Stories

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

MOTHER’S DAY What We've Learned From Mom About Home

By Vanessa Brunner

Share cherished memories as Houzzers recall the special traits, insights and habits of their mothers

HOLIDAYS 10 Holiday Gifts Perfect for the Home Cooks on Your List

By Laura Gaskill

Check out these kitchen gift ideas, from budget picks to splurges

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Nature-Loving Holiday Decor

By Justine Hand

Putting on the glitz not your style? Take a cue from Mother Nature with a white and brown palette that reflects the bare beauty outside

LIFE 10 Ways to Cope With Grief During the Holidays

By Shelly Miller Leer

If you are experiencing loss, take it from an experienced griever — life has changed forever, but it does get better

HOUSEPLANTS How to Keep Your Gift Plants Happy After the Holidays

By Marianne Lipanovich

Yes, you can keep your poinsettia, amaryllis, cyclamen and other gift plants alive and blooming for holidays to come

ENTERTAINING Holiday Party Prep in 1 Day

By Lisa Frederick

Don't panic — you really can throw a great party on just 24 hours' notice with these shortcuts and time-saving tips

HOLIDAYS 25 Gorgeous Holiday Mantels by Houzzers

Laden with boughs, lights and even lemons, these decorated fireplace mantels show a festive Christmas spirit and a creative approach

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Storage: Where to Keep Grandma's Stuffing Recipe?

By Between Naps on the Porch

FALL AND THANKSGIVING It's Black and White and Fall All Over in a Holiday-Happy Home

Get inspired for budget-friendly fall decorating by a resourceful stylist's thrifty but sophisticated adornments

Sponsored

Dream Baths by Kitchen Kraft

12 Reviews

Your Custom Bath Designers & Remodelers in Columbus I 10X Best Houzz

More Discussions

Are cacti legal to sell online?

3

Can I trim this plant?

1

jade plant pruning

6

Easter Cacti in bloom

4

pachypodium needs an ID

2