The pot drains fairly well. Give yours a good drink of water, let it all thoroughly drain out of the pot, & let it go dry before you water it again. Christmas cactus is known as Thanksgiving cactus or Easter cactus. I topped mine with succulent & cactus mix, compost & worm compost. Even though they look similar, the Easter cactus actually belongs to a completely different plant group. ezendor. These are epiphytic cacti & differ from the desert cacti that I’m surrounded by here. The best time to repot a Christmas cactus is after the blooming season when the flowers have all wilted. When & How to Split Up & Transplant a Christmas Cactus. Montana brought Dakota with her yesterday to celebrate Christmas. The Easter Cactus starts producing flower buds in … It doesn't look as green or vibrant anymore, and is drooping. This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest. As their common names suggest, a Thanksgiving Cactus can bloom in late fall, one month before the Christmas Cactus. During the fall, the Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti depend upon shorter day lengths (8 to 10 hours) and cooler temper… (Read When your Christmas Cactus Blooms Too Early to know how to distinguish between the two.) Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) flowers in the winter but the spineless leaf segments stay green year-round. Hanging basket of Thanksgiving Cactus at Lowe’s Home Improvement – (described as a Christmas cactus, but leaves show the Thanksgiving version.) Thanksgiving cactus on Amazon – with orange flowers. I did the repotting at the end of March when the weather warmed. Though they thrive on kind neglect and bloom best when pot-bound, you should repot Thanksgiving cactus roughly every three years to prevent soil compaction or any time that the plants' roots protrude from the bottom of the pot. Most obviously, though, it has distinct teeth on its segments a bit like crab claws, which is why it is also known as crab cactus. … When to Repot Christmas Cactus. It's gorgeous and appears to have enough buds to last the next month! I bought an Easter cactus a month ago and am repotting it now to get rid of all the damaged bits. 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. It’s warm here in Tucson now (80’s into 90’s) so I’m watering mine every 5-7 days now. One way to encourage buds is to leave either variety outside in a protected area until the temperature gets down to about 40 degrees. They were labeled as a CC when I bought it and that’s how they’re commonly sold in the trade. They may have been on the cactus or just in and around my potting bench under the maple tree, but these were the larvae of lady beetles, lady bugs, lady birds – whatever name they go by for you. If you use a nice, coarse potting mix, potting up might very well need to be an annual project! eco-centric company inspired by nature & lovin' the great outdoors. Shake off the old soil and plant the cactus at the same depth it was growing in the old soil. Schlumbergera info, on a few things to consider if you are needing potting mix, trying to get your holiday cactus to bloom, etc. Sticking out from each blossom, the cluster of long, thi… Rather it is an epiphyte, those plants which live on other plants. Bergit. The cuttings … Schlumbergera truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus. This means they like a very porous mix that also has a lot of richness to it, just like their fellow epiphytes bromeliads & orchids. Hello all, I just recently got some thanksgiving cactus on clearance and want to repot then in a 511 mix. There is a lot of confusion surrounding the holiday cacti: Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and Easter cactus. I’ll repot mine in 3-5 years depending on how it’s doing. In this article, you’ll find what you need to know about repotting Christmas cactus including how & when to do it, and the best soil mix to use.. Additionally, Christmas cactus are not only for the holidays, although they look lovely when blooming. Before Christmas cactus repotting, water your plant one or two days before you plan to repot the plant. I buy mine locally here in Tucson. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) Leaves: You can tell the Thanksgiving cactus apart from the Christmas cactus by the shape of its leaves. How to Replant a Potted Cactus. Great guide! Thanks for all the tips :), Reply Set the plant on the soil in the bottom of the pot and gently fill around it until it can stand upright unsupported—water the pot to settle the soil. Fill the new pot with enough potting soil to allow the plant to sit at the same height it was in the old pot. Pumice or perlite up the ante on the drainage factor too. Repot your plant if the roots are filling its current container. Repot the Christmas cactus using peat-based potting soil that contains perlite and/or coarse sand for fast drainage. If you repot, use a sterile, well-draining potting soil such as those packaged for African violets, orchids, or bromeliads. Here are online options for succulent & cactus mix: Bonsai Jack (this 1 is very gritty; great for those prone to overwatering! Discover (and save!) That means if you live in a region with no frost, you can leave the cactus outside to experience just what is naturally occurring. Repotting a Christmas Cactus, or any succulent for that matter is an important aspect in keeping your plants in top shape. Repotting your Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) is easy to do and I’m sure yours will appreciate some fresh mix. I’ll simplify the process here:Remove the plant by squeezing the pot &/or cutting around the sides with a dull knife. Don’t fall into the trap of constantly repotting into a bigger pot. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming. Among important repotting cactus tips is to not water the plant yet, as it is adjusting to being handled and new soil conditions. Not sure how old the plant is- the cutting was a gift. You don’t want to keep the roots constantly moist or they’ll eventually rot out. Welcome to the garden, my little ladies! First off… @cactus_of_ig Requirements for Repotting Cacti. Jan 25, 2020 - Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus & Easter Cactus... See more ideas about christmas cactus, easter cactus, thanksgiving cactus. You can read how I feed my houseplants with worm compost & compost here: How I Feed My Houseplants Naturally With Worm Compost & Compost. You can identify it by the pointy “teeth” on the sides of each stem segment. Here's what you need to know about repotting Christmas Cactus including when & how to do it along with the best soil mix to use. Then, keep the cactus in a … They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. Signs of Stress and Poor Health. Typically, your cactus will require potting every 2-4 years. Did you make this project? 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. Avoid future Christmas cactus problems by mixing your own soil for repotting. While repotting my Thanksgiving Cactus, I found a few visitors. To repot a cactus, start by putting on thick leather gloves and breaking up the soil inside the old pot with a dull knife. My Christmas (Thanksgiving) Cactus grows outdoors year-round on my side patio & the pack rats devoured it in Jan. Best time for repotting Christmas Cactus. Repotting isn’t much different from the initial potting. Loading... Unsubscribe from Julie Nicole? Mine stopped blooming at the end of December. One of the reasons I suggest combining taking cuttings together with any other rescue method for a declining holiday cactus is that sometimes very old specimens don’t respond well to repotting, even when you’re doing it to save their life. These succulents are epiphytic cacti and differ from the desert cacti that I’m surrounded by here in Tucson. Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long lasting, attractive succulents. The leaf segments, called “phylloclades,” are serrated or “toothed,” with pointy spines; with 2-4 on each side. The right pot or planter. Christmas cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are attractive succulents and last longer. It’s a soilless mix & is enriched with lots of good stuff but also drains well. #thanksgivingcactus #plantsofinstagram #plantsplantsplants #blooms #lovemyplants #cactus #thanksgivingcactusbloom. Add additional soil, if needed. I did the repotting at the end of March when the weather warmed. They are sheltered by the canopies of trees and shrubs and thrive when protected from full, direct sun. Five parts of fir bark, one part of lava rock and one part of potting mix. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) was once commonly called the “crab claw cactus” or “crab cactus" before it started being marketed around Turkey Day. Make sure the pot has at least 1 drain hole. I’ve seen older Christmas Cacti planted in relatively small pots & they’re doing just fine. A few handfuls of charcoal Charcoal improves the drainage & absorbs impurities & odors. I’ve been buying a mix from a local source but have just started making my own. One of the most complicated processes it may undergo is repotting. This cactus, like its other holiday cousins, is an easy to grow indoor plant. How often should you repot Christmas Cactus? The leaves are broad and flat with slight serrations on the edges in the Thanksgiving vs. Christmas cactus, which has smoother This way the plant is settled in before that process starts. Christmas cactus prefer their roots to be slightly crowded, so don’t transplant too often. Christmas Cactus, although lovely when blooming, are not only for the holidays. Holiday cactus likes to be root-bound, and repotting every 2-3 years (even back into the same pot) is plenty. How I Repot A Cactus I finally got around to repotting a couple of cacti that I own and decided to take some photos to detail how I repot a cactus. Do not repot them unless absolutely necessary. Do not repot them unless absolutely necessary. Give the Thanksgiving Cactus a shot of liquid fertilizer mixed at half strength to help with transplant shock. I did the repotting at the end of March when the weather warmed. I’m referring to the magnificent Schlumbergera truncate, pictured above. In general, (and hard to see in this representation), the Thanksgiving Cactus grows its stems in an upright and erect direction, while the Christmas Cactus, will eventually arch down its stems once it reaches maturity. ... bergit, the frequency of repotting should be determined by the vigor of the plant. 7 months ago. Never repot … Christmas Cactus, although lovely when blooming, are not only for the holidays. Sunday, 28 April, 2019 at 10:23 am . This will give its roots a little more room to grow and allow you to add fresh potting soil, which will provide additional aeration, drainage and nutrients. Bloom form is another indicator of species difference. Ideal spring and summer growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its growing season from April to September. They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus ; rootbound or not ? Here’s the recipe for DIY succulent & cactus mix in case you want to make your own too: Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix For Pots. This is optional, like the composts, but I always have them on hand. The shape of the leaves will tell you which one you have. In their natural rainforest habits, Christmas Cacti grow on other plants and rocks; not in the soil. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec; To do; To do: J Do not To do in January F Do not To do in February M Do not To do in March A Do To do in April M Do To do in May … The soil mine was planted in was pulling away from the sides of the grow pot and just looked old. In general, home gardeners do pretty well with Christmas cactus, both the real thing (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its close relative, Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), which I’ll call holiday cacti in this article. The care for Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus is the same. They start to set their buds in September or early October so you want to transplant yours by early August. Christmas Cacti that you see here and in the video are actually Thanksgiving (or Crab) Cactus. About: gardening, gardens, crafting & creating. I was hoping somebody could share some advice on how I should go about repotting a Christmas cactus. Forcing Thanksgiving cactus to bloom requires cool temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Use a good quality potting soil at two parts potting soil to one part sand or vermiculite , assuring sharp drainage. I repotted my Thanksgiving cactus about a month ago and it hasn't been doing so well since. In their natural rainforest habits, they grow on other plants & rocks; not in soil. Related Videos. Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but before new buds develop. The Thanksgiving cactus has more-pointed teeth along the edges of the leaves. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) was once commonly called the “crab claw cactus” or “crab cactus" before it started being marketed around Turkey Day. Grasp the base of the Thanksgiving Cactus firmly while inverting the pot. Should I just plant it with the 511 mix or will I need to take off the peaty mix? It also goes by zygocactus. Mine stopped blooming at the end of December. Cut any damaged areas back to healthy, white tissue before proceeding. Indoors I watered every 2-4 weeks in the cooler months. You’ll find some alternative mixes listed a few paragraphs below. Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but before new buds develop. These teeth are soft, not sharp, and can vary in size, but are almost always visible on the plant to some degree. True Christmas Cactus blooms have purplish anthers, the pollen bearing part of the flowers, whereas the Thanksgiving Cactus has yellow anthers. How I Feed My Houseplants Naturally With Worm Compost & Compost, 1/2 succulent & cactus mix & 1/2 cymbidium orchid mix. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming. Copyright © 2013-2020 World of Succulents. Today I noticed that even though none of the stigmas on my flowers opened my pollination must have worked, I have fruits developing on some plants. I let it settle in for a few days & then gave it a couple of thorough waterings to make sure the mix was moist. let's make the world a more beautiful place. The three main types are the Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, and the Easter Cactus. The Thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow upright at first, then arch… and its flowers are borne horizontally rather than hanging limply from the stem tip. 11 years ago. The Thanksgiving Cactus has little spine-like notches coming off its leaves (just like a crab claw hence that common name) whereas the leaves of the Christmas Cactus are smoother. I was watering once every 10 days (from the top, with tap water), and used cactus soil when I repotted it. Five parts of fir bark, one part of lava rock and one part of potting mix. DragonStone reports that the stigma opens after a few days. Why Repot a Christmas Cactus. Let the cut end dry for a day or two. Share it with us! No matter what fertilizers and amount of soil you use for it, the growth of the cactus is really limited. Pinch off sections of stems with 3 to 5 stem segments each. This plant has a flattened body and the leaves are actually its stems, from which the red-pink flowers bloom during the holiday season. Thanks appreciated! your own Pins on Pinterest This plant got its nickname from their willingness to bloom in late November, around Thanksgiving. I moved mine to the covered side patio where it gets indirect yet bright light. Christmas cacti have more rounded scalloped edges. This forum has been a great help to a plant newbie such as myself. Repotting is an inevitable exercise in the life of a cactus plant. Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus belong to the same family of plants, but they bloom at different times. Repotting: Repot your Thanksgiving Cactus when it becomes root bound. After a few weeks, you can water the plant and allow it to dry out before watering again. Thanksgiving cactus is winter-hardy in in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 12, but it's most often grown as a houseplant. Mark had a … They get their nourishment from organic matter leaf matter & debris falling from the plants growing above them. Gently slide the plant and root ball from the pot, being careful not to damage any roots that are growing out the drainage holes. Soon after your Christmas Cactus blooms is the best time. My Christmas Cactus got severely pruned by the pack rats so I combined it with a new 4″ plant as well as a cutting. Do not repot them unless absolutely necessary. Can’t wait to see the blooms it puts out in fall! The Thanksgiving Cactus is timed to flower in November/December whereas it’s December/January for the Christmas Cactus. Christmas cactus leaves are smooth with scalloped edges. Schlumbergera truncata, commonly know as Thanksgiving Cactus, is one of the Holiday Cacti that you may find in garden centers in the fall. How often you water depends on your temps, the exposure it’s in & the pot size. Mine stopped blooming at the end of December. Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but… Further Information Regardless of which one you have, you repot these epiphytic cacti in the same manner. Discover how to repot a cactus with the help of our practical guide. THE CACTUS PLANT I TREASURE MOST comes not from the desert, but from the mountains of Brazil, where it grows, like the orchid, in the crotches of trees. Even if the soil is not soggy, repotting may be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas cactus. Holiday Cacti Care Tips. Know the basic needs and it will be easy to care for. They start to set their buds in September or early October so you want to transplant yours by early August. So, my repotting process was a bit more detailed than yours will most likely be. The Thanksgiving Cactus has definitely more serrated phylloclades than the Christmas Cactus’ rounder and smoother edges. Here’s a similar product. Jan 22, 2019 - Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. Thanksgiving Cactus vs. Christmas Cactus | & Forcing Cactus to Bloom! Julie Nicole. Christmas cactus usually blooms from December into January. Thanksgiving Cactus segments have sides with pointed lobes along the edges while Christmas Cactus segments are smooth sided and have no pointy edges. I’m partial to Ocean Forest because of its high-quality ingredients. Houseplant watering 101 gives you a general idea. 0:17. Some advice on … Mine is putting out so much new growth just a few weeks after its repotting. How often should you water your Christmas Cactus? So, it’s not a surprise that the Thanksgiving cactus blooms around November. I love the foliage and the weeping form they grow into over time. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. By BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. Both the Thanksgiving and the Christmas Cactus fall under the genus Schlumbergera which I learned as Schlumbergia years ago. Do not repot them unless absolutely necessary. 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