Can You repot a Christmas cactus in the fall?
Repotting Christmas cactus isn’t complicated, but the key is knowing when and how to repot a Christmas cactus. Most plants are best repotted when they display new growth in spring, but Christmas cactus repotting should be done after blooming ends and the flowers have wilted in late winter or early spring.
How do I know if my Christmas cactus is ready to transplant?
Their beautiful flowers, long bloom time,... One way to tell if your Christmas Cactus is ready for a new pot is to check the drainage hole. If your plant has outgrown its current container, you may notice roots poking out of the current pot’s drainage hole.
How do you take care of a Christmas cactus plant?
Be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Although Christmas cactus likes moisture, it will soon rot if the roots are deprived of air. Remove the plant from its pot, along with the surrounding soil ball, and gently loosen the roots. If the potting mix is compacted, gently wash it away from the roots with a little water.
How often do you fertilize a Christmas cactus?
Fertilizer: Once buds have formed, fertilize your Christmas cactus with high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form. The Christmas cactus (scientific name: Schlumbergera bridgesii) is not really a cactus but a succulent.
See more
How do you know when a Christmas cactus needs repotting?
When to Repot Christmas Cactus. Most plants are best repotted when they display new growth in spring, but Christmas cactus repotting should be done after blooming ends and the flowers have wilted in late winter or early spring. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming.
Do Christmas cactus like to be root bound?
Holiday cacti do like to be root bound, but eventually, they get too constricted to stay healthy. If your plant perks up and then wilts again within a few days, or if it doesn't perk up from watering, try repotting it into a new pot with a drainage hole one size bigger with cactus soil.
How often should a Christmas cactus be repotted?
every 4 yearsThe best rule of thumb is to repot your Christmas Cactus every 4 years to a pot that's 2 inches larger than the pot it is currently in.
What kind of pots do Christmas cactus like?
When selecting a pot for a Christmas cactus, be sure to choose one that has a drainage hole in the bottom. This helps to keep the soil from getting too wet. Christmas cacti grow well in most potting mixes that are formulated for succulents. The important thing is that your potting soil drains well.
Should Christmas cactus be water from the top or bottom?
Experts recommend watering Christmas cactus from the bottom rather than on top. With this method, you can be sure that your plant is getting enough water every time because it will soak into their roots and reach all of them.
Do coffee grounds help Christmas cactus?
Yes, coffee grounds are good for your Christmas cactus. Just like many other plants that reap benefits from them, the Christmas cactus can get lots of nutrients from coffee grounds when they are added directly to the soil.
How many years does a Christmas cactus last?
The Christmas cactus is everywhere during the holiday season, with good reason. It's a blooming succulent that is easy to care for, has gorgeous flowers, and when properly tended can live up to 100 years! That's right! This plant can survive for decades, adding color to your holidays for generations.
Should you water your Christmas cactus while it's blooming?
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
When should you stop watering a Christmas cactus?
Stop watering around October. This watering schedule will prep your plant to bloom around Christmas. The only other time you should stop watering is after the plant blooms. At this time, cease watering for about 6 weeks to let the plant rest. New growth will still appear–and that's when you can start watering again.
What is the best soil to plant a Christmas cactus in?
The ideal potting soil will contain a high proportion of organic matter such as peat or well-decomposed compost. Addition of coarse sand, or even aquarium gravel, will provide the necessary drainage and aeration. There are commercially available cactus potting soils that are designed to be well-drained soils.
Should I be misting my Christmas cactus?
You should be misting, not watering, every day. A few squirts from a spray bottle is all you need to keep your cactus happy. The only time you should be watering the base of the plant is when its soil is completely dry to the touch.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Christmas cacti produce flowers in a cool, environment-short day cycle. To initiate the production of flower buds, there needs to be at least eight days of 16 hours of dark and eight hours of light each day. Wherever the plant is placed, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time.
Do Christmas cactus like tight pots?
How often should you repot Christmas Cactus? I'll repot mine in 3-5 years depending on how it's doing. Remember, they like to grow slightly tight in their pots so only go up 1 pot size.
Is it OK to repot Christmas cactus?
She says: 'Christmas cactus should be repotted soon after the plant has stopped blooming, and the flowers have wilted, typically in late winter or early spring.
What is the best soil to plant a Christmas cactus in?
The ideal potting soil will contain a high proportion of organic matter such as peat or well-decomposed compost. Addition of coarse sand, or even aquarium gravel, will provide the necessary drainage and aeration. There are commercially available cactus potting soils that are designed to be well-drained soils.
Why is my Christmas cactus breaking off at the base?
Problem #4: You Christmas Cactus' Stems are Falling Off Cause: The reason why your plant's stems are falling off is because of root- or stem rot at the base of the plant. This always happens as a result of over-watering.
How do you know if you should repot a Christmas cactus?
The most obvious sign that you should repot your Christmas cactus is when the plant is beginning to look a bit unhealthy despite your best efforts. If you’re providing your cactus with optimum care and it just doesn’t seem to be thriving, you might want to consider repotting.
How to tell if a Christmas cactus needs a new pot?
One way to tell if your Christmas Cactus is ready for a new pot is to check the drainage hole. If your plant has outgrown its current container, you may notice roots poking out of the current pot’s drainage hole.
What kind of soil should I use for Christmas cactus?
If you’re not sure what type of soil is best, read our guide on succulent soil here.
Why do you repot succulents?
Another reason for repotting is that plants can and will use up the available nutrients in their soil. Of course, you can always give your succulents additional nutrients with fertilizer or plant food, but repotting will still be necessary from time to time.
What happens if you repot a pot?
By repotting, you’re simply hitting the reset button on that buildup and giving your plant a fresh start with new soil.
How to keep soil from washing out of pot?
Whether you’ve chosen a hanging planter or a regular pot, you might want to consider using a piece of plastic or metal mesh over the drainage hole. The mesh will help keep your soil from washing out the bottom of your pot but won’t hinder drainage.
When should I repot cacti?
That’s not to say you should never repot your cacti during the winter, but repotting is rarely an emergency, so most people prefer to wait until spring to allow their cacti to have the entire growing season to grow into their new pots.
When Should You Re-Pot a Christmas Cactus?
The best time to re-pot your plant is at least a month before the next blooming cycle is about to occur (usually around August). Doing this will give your plant the proper amount of time to settle so that it is strong enough to bloom.
Why are Christmas cactus so common?
Christmas cacti are so common because of how easy they are to grow, which also means they will require re-potting every so often. If your Christmas cactus plant requires a bigger pot, read this article before you start the process.
How to loosen up a root ball?
If the root ball is tightly packed into the old potting soil, gently squeeze it until it loosens up.
How hot do Christmas cacti grow?
Christmas cacti grow very well inside most homes and prefer temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees F with high levels of humidity.
Can a Christmas cactus burn its leaves?
Try and keep your Christmas Cactus away from direct sunlight as much as possible as it can burn the plant’s leaves. With that said, your Cactus loves the light and shows optimum growth when they get plenty of access to in-direct lighting sources.
Does a cactus have thorns?
Although it is a part of the cactus family, this plant does not have thorns and grows well as hanging plants.
What is a Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus is a cactus plant that is popularly enjoyed indoors as a houseplant. As its name suggests, this plant generally blooms in the winter months around the holidays. Christmas cactus flowers may be red, pink, white, yellow, orange, or purple.
What is the scientific name of Christmas cactus?
Christmas cactus belongs in the cactus family, with the scientific name of Schlumbergera truncate. This popular winter houseplant is also called Thanksgiving cactus or holiday cactus, and sometimes even crab cactus.
When to Transplant Christmas Cactus
You may notice your Christmas cactus has grown too big for its pot. Christmas cactus doesn’t need to be repotted frequently, as that could actually hurt your plant. Leave three or four years in between transplants. The best time to transplant Christmas cactus is after blooming in the wintertime or early spring.
Replanting Christmas Cactus
Now that you know how to transplant a Christmas cactus, I hope the process is quick and easy for you!
