\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Many times Christmas cacti are passed down in families. The popular winter plant actually needs less water right before flowering. Cacti can be propagated any time of the year, but cactus cuttings root fastest around the summer months to early autumn. Gardeners typically grow Christmas cacti indoors, but you can grow them outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. Apply a decent water-soluble fertilizer for blooming plants monthly after the cactus has finished blooming, usually in early spring. As a general rule of thumb, you should only water your Christmas cactus when the top inch of the soil is dry. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The best way to root a Christmas cactus in water is: Like the dirt rooting method, start with between one and four cuttings. Repotting a Christmas cactus can be a challenging operation, as you can easily hurt the plant trying to remove it from its pot when it has become rootbound. Check the plant for any signs of the roots rotting. You can easily multiply and share your collection with how easy Christmas cactus propagation is. 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Christmas Cactus Propagation. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. My "bonsai" Christmas Cactus is quite root-bound in a smallish container, and yet it grows like crazy. Sometimes the 2 are just called Holiday Cactus but regardless of which 1 you actually have, you get them to bloom in the same way. When you think of a cactus, you think of blazing hot desert temperatures right? One option is a mix of peat, which is naturally anti-fungal to prevent diseases, and coarse sand. If you keep your Christmas cactus outdoors in a hot and dry environment then it will probably need watering every 2-3 days, especially if placed directly in the sun. Use your own judgment on when to water your Christmas cactus. Getting a Christmas cactus to bloom can be difficult for some and requires the right lighting, temperature, and care. Humidity helps the cuttings. Do not repot the Christmas cactus while blooming. Overwatering can also cause unwanted problems such as Christmas cactus bugs and wilted Christmas cactus leaves. If your Christmas cactus is an indoor plant then you should have it placed in a north-facing window. How to Root Cactus. Well, an answer could be that it is not actually a Christmas cactus! I think that's due to the fast-draining soil, and frequent water and fertilization. Using the … Rooting Christmas cactus in soil. If you have a healthy Christmas cactus and want to grow another, you can easily propagate your plant by clipping off a small cutting and allowing it to take root in a pot with a rooting medium or in a small jar with stones and water. Christmas! Finally, the Easter cactus has very rounded leaf segments with shallow indents on its side. By using our site, you agree to our. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. As a self-described plant doctor, he believes in the therapeutic power of plants, hoping to keep sharing his love of plants with anyone willing to listen and learn. This article has been viewed 6,268 times. And in most cases this is correct. Once you’ve taken your cutting, place the segment in a moist peat and sand soil mix. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Christmas cactus turning purple and wilting, 5 Simple Steps on How to revive a Christmas cactus. from timing to soil and pot size. Then, place the cutting into the water (cut end downwards) until two nodes are submerged. Simply dip the exposed end of your cutting into the gel, and swirl it around. Personally, I have never kept the soil constantly moist when rooting Christmas cactus cuttings for fear of rot, seeing the cutting don't have any roots. First and foremost, you’re probably wondering how you make a Christmas cactus bloom? So easy to root: simply place the cuttings in a small glass or jar with enough water to cover the bottom segment (node). This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Thus, it is not recommended to place the plant pot in the direct action of air conditioners or fans. Christmas cactuses need to experience a drop in temperature to tell the plant that it’s … Since propagation involves creating an open wound in your plant, you may want to consider planting your cuttings in sterilized soil. First, fill the bottom third of a … Dip the freshly cut end of the cactus in a bowl of rooting hormone (also known as rooting compound). Propagating a Christmas cactus is incredibly easy and probably one of the easiest plants to root. We have a whole bunch of useful tips on this site such as using coffee grounds on a Christmas cactus and advice on the best potting soil for a Christmas cactus. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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