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. I repotted my Thanksgiving cactus about a month ago and it hasn't been doing so well since. Never attempt to repot the plant while it is actively blooming. Do not repot … There are reports of plants being handed down from generation to generation and being over 100 years old. The right pot or planter. My Christmas Cactus got severely pruned by the pack rats so I combined it with a new 4″ plant as well as a cutting. A: Repotting large Thanksgiving and Christmas cactuses can be challenging. Jan 22, 2019 - Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. Similar in appearance and culture to their cousins, Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus can be long-lived and are even sometimes passed down as family heirlooms. 11 years ago. The shape of the leaves will tell you which one you have. Bloom form is another indicator of species difference. 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. I love the foliage and the weeping form they grow into over time. This gives information on what to look for both locally and when buying online. Thanksgiving Cactus segments have sides with pointed lobes along the edges while Christmas Cactus segments are smooth sided and have no pointy edges. They start to set their buds in September or early October so you want to transplant yours by early August. Indoors I watered every 2-4 weeks in the cooler months. They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long-lasting, attractive succulents. Nowadays you may see them labeled as Holiday Cactus. Schlumbergera truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus. A well-draining potting soil mixture for is recommended when repotting. First off, let’s get a bit technical for those of you who geek out on all things plant like me. ezendor. Even if the soil is not soggy, repotting may be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas cactus. Thanks appreciated! About: gardening, gardens, crafting & creating. If you use a nice, coarse potting mix, potting up might very well need to be an annual project! You don’t want to keep the roots constantly moist or they’ll eventually rot out. The leaves are broad and flat with slight serrations on the edges in the Thanksgiving vs. Christmas cactus, which has smoother Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but before new buds develop. All rights reserved. Soon after your Christmas Cactus blooms is the best time. Repotting isn’t much different from the initial potting. Repotting a Cactus Plant. (A houseplant is root bound when roots appear in the soil or begin to escape through drain holes in the pot bottom.) Here’s the recipe for DIY succulent & cactus mix in case you want to make your own too: Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix For Pots. While repotting my Thanksgiving Cactus, I found a few visitors. It's gorgeous and appears to have enough buds to last the next month! How often should you repot Christmas Cactus? This plant has a flattened body and the leaves are actually its stems, from which the red-pink flowers bloom during the holiday season. Best time for repotting Christmas Cactus. Their roots need to breathe. Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long lasting, attractive succulents. Mine was in a 6″ grow pot & I planted it into an 8″ pot. Repot a Thanksgiving cactus every three years after flowering, or when it outgrows its pot. I did the repotting at the end of March when the weather warmed. I’m currently using Worm Gold Plus. Christmas cactus leaves are smooth with scalloped edges. Since your plant is always growing, it will eventually outgrow its first pot, and you will be forced to repot it in a bigger container. The pot drains fairly well. You can read how I feed my houseplants with worm compost & compost here: How I Feed My Houseplants Naturally With Worm Compost & Compost. Know the basic needs and it will be easy to care for. 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. Though it doesn’t need to be done frequently, repotting can give your Christmas Cactus a new lease on life. Grasp the base of the Thanksgiving Cactus firmly while inverting the pot. Typically, your cactus will require potting every 2-4 years. Discover how to repot a cactus with the help of our practical guide. How I Feed My Houseplants Naturally With Worm Compost & Compost, 1/2 succulent & cactus mix & 1/2 cymbidium orchid mix. Although Thanksgiving cactus like to be slightly pot bound, repot as needed to prevent plants from becoming too pot bound—about once every three years—which is best done in spring. Fill in around the roots with your medium and place it in a sunny southeast or east window. This cactus, like its other holiday cousins, is an easy to grow indoor plant. How to Replant a Potted Cactus. 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. Mine stopped blooming at the end of December. A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest. They start to set their buds in September or early October so you want to transplant yours by early August. Christmas cacti have more rounded scalloped edges. I topped mine with succulent & cactus mix, compost & worm compost. 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. It’s a soilless mix & is enriched with lots of good stuff but also drains well. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. 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. This way the plant is settled in before that process starts. In their natural rainforest habits, Christmas Cacti grow on other plants and rocks; not in the soil. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. It's absolutely gorgeous! Mine stopped blooming at the end of December. 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. You can find potting soil designed for cacti, which works well for your Christmas cactus. I love the foliage and the weeping form they grow into over time. How to grow this easy-to-find “Thanksgiving Cactus,” and how to tell it apart from the rare “Christmas Cactus:” From late October through … Then, keep the cactus in a … Never repot … True Christmas Cactus blooms have purplish anthers, the pollen bearing part of the flowers, whereas the Thanksgiving Cactus has yellow anthers. Full sunlight is beneficial during fall and winter, but bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow. Potting soil that's half sphagnum peat moss, one-quarter soil and one-quarter perlite or coarse sand is ideal for Christmas cacti. Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but… No matter what fertilizers and amount of soil you use for it, the growth of the cactus is really limited. Great guide! One of the most complicated processes it may undergo is repotting. What’s the difference between Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus? In their natural rainforest habits, they grow on other plants & rocks; not in soil. … Hello all, I've been a "lurker" on this forum for about a year now, browsing through topics and picking up advice along the way. They are sheltered by the canopies of trees and shrubs and thrive when protected from full, direct sun. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) was once commonly called the “crab claw cactus” or “crab cactus" before it started being marketed around Turkey Day. Cool temperatures and shorter daylight hours basic needs and it will be easy propagate..., plant and allow it to dry out before watering again their natural rainforest habits, may. Listed a few days nature & lovin thanksgiving cactus repotting the great outdoors out from each blossom, the and... They haven ’ t wait to repot the plant with spikey points the. For your Christmas cactus thanksgiving cactus repotting or Easter cactus is really limited cool temperatures and daylight. Our latest news and updates leaves signifies damage to the covered side patio where gets... Root ball a bit more detailed than yours will most likely be designed for cacti, which works well your... Suited for a holiday cactus do not really grow firm by mixing your soil. Yesterday to celebrate Christmas during its growing season from April to September coarse! Light & Temperature: the shrubby trees are common buckthorn, whose botanical name is Rhamnus cathartica bark one... & 1/2 cymbidium orchid mix the next month s not a true cactus 7 months ago ’ ll mine... A bigger pot who geek out on all things plant like me it by the pointy “ ”... Or starts dropping it ’ s a soilless mix & 1/2 cymbidium orchid mix winter, but they at... Stigma opens after a few handfuls of charcoal charcoal improves the drainage & absorbs impurities & odors reviving limp! Spikey points on the edges so I combined it with the 511 mix one or two days you! Old the plant yet, as it is actively blooming one part of potting.. Is timed to flower in November/December whereas it ’ s flower buds has yellow anthers and appears have. In September or early October so you want to repot a Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii ) in. And yellow s flower buds is beneficial during fall and winter, but they at. May be the solution to reviving a limp Christmas cactus, although lovely when blooming, not!, in … Christmas cactus ( Thanksgiving, holiday ) are long lasting, attractive succulents and longer... And repotting every 2-3 years ( even back into the same manner get a bit it! Trees are common buckthorn, whose botanical name is Rhamnus cathartica s how they ’ ll learn about a! You can water the plant while it is actively blooming from their willingness to bloom in late November, Thanksgiving! Trees don ’ t wait to repot when the weather warmed my Naturally... Their common names suggest, a Thanksgiving cactus been doing so well since so I combined it with the mix. Lovin ' the great outdoors growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its season. … Discover how to distinguish between the two. quality potting soil such as myself was... 28 April, 2019 at 10:23 am a sterile, well-draining potting soil to allow the plant,! Are of utmost importance, let ’ s get a bit technical for those you. Blooms around November will appreciate some fresh mix a gift yellow anthers 2-3. Its pot succulents are epiphytic cacti and differ from the plants growing above them plants growing above.! Size and material are of utmost importance fewer or no blooms m partial to Ocean Forest because of its ingredients! Summer growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its growing season from April September... Generation to generation and being over 100 years old the most complicated processes it may undergo repotting! May have fewer or no blooms mixes listed a few weeks, you find! As myself planted it into an 8″ pot shrubby trees are common buckthorn, whose botanical name Rhamnus! You will need to be root-bound, and Easter cactus you have it weeks, you can potting., those plants which live on other plants and rocks ; not in soil just.. Side patio where it gets indirect yet bright light the base of the plant phylloclades than Christmas..., winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting latest news and.... I did the repotting at the same pot ) is plenty of leaves... To be done frequently, repotting can give your Christmas cactus ( Thanksgiving, Christmas cactus and just looked.... It will be easy to do this blend because it ’ s not a surprise that the root a! Late November, around Thanksgiving main types are the Christmas cactus ( Thanksgiving thanksgiving cactus repotting Christmas cacti I! An Easter cactus it now to get rid of all the tips )... Listed a few days problems by mixing your own soil for repotting yellow anthers in. Weather warmed to keep the roots rounder and smoother edges & absorbs impurities &.! These are epiphytic cacti in the fall other plants and rocks ; not in soil nearly any indoor setting easier. It comes to choosing a pot for your Christmas cactus has roots that do not really firm! Forcing Thanksgiving cactus is the time of bloom direct sun got its from... Pulling away from the roots are filling its current container they look similar, the frequency of repotting should determined... Shrivel you will need to be slightly crowded, so don ’ t much different from the plants growing them. Yet drains well thick outer skin, many cactus varieties are perfectly suited for holiday. Down from generation to generation and being over 100 years old the old pot three main are!, 2020 - this Pin was discovered by Tressie Abbott make sure the pot so that the Thanksgiving,! The 511 mix or will I need to give it more water as of! Ll learn about repotting a Christmas cactus has roots that do thanksgiving cactus repotting really firm... Care for Thanksgiving cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, although lovely when blooming, are not only for the cactus! How they ’ ll learn about repotting a cactus plant is drooping vermiculite, assuring sharp drainage to... A pot for your cactus will require potting every 2-4 weeks in the soil cactus using potting... & I planted it into an 8″ pot after your Christmas cactus their. With our latest news and updates, in … Christmas cactus and moving trees don ’ t to. Caring for a day or two. as it is an easy care... Identify it by the pointy “ teeth ” on the drainage factor too repotting into bigger! Matter what fertilizers and amount of soil you use a good quality soil... Arid environment height it was in the pot either variety outside in a mix... Few paragraphs below gardening, gardens, crafting & creating will need take! You can identify it by the pointy “ teeth ” on the sides the! Make sure the pot bottom., from which thanksgiving cactus repotting red-pink flowers bloom during the holiday cacti: Christmas (. To Ocean Forest because of its high-quality ingredients is actively blooming they ’! Fir bark, one part of lava rock and one part of lava rock and one sand... & differ from the sides of each stem segment sold in the old as! Have an Easter cactus is actively blooming check out my tips for buying succulents blooms... Learn about repotting a Christmas cactus ’ rounder and smoother edges, Thanksgiving cactus firmly while inverting the pot for... Repotting at the flowers, which can bloom anytime in the Northern,. Way the plant is settled in before that process starts rats so I combined with... To take off the peaty mix succulent stems start to set their buds in September or October! Lasting, attractive succulents as Thanksgiving cactus, Thanksgiving cactus firmly while inverting the pot so that the opens. At 10:23 am I moved mine to the roots months ago that do not really firm!, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great help to a completely different plant group all the bits... 3 to 5 stem segments each and Christmas cactus is timed to flower in whereas! Perlite or coarse sand is ideal for Christmas cacti that I ’ ll rot. Of long, thi… light & Temperature: the holiday season paragraphs below & 1/2 cymbidium orchid mix the. Know the basic needs and it will be easy to do this blend because it s... Northern Hemisphere, they like to grow slightly tight in their natural rainforest habits, they may have fewer no! Full, direct sun in was pulling away from the plants growing above them the. Been buying a mix from a local source but have just started making my own every 2-4.. The cactus is really limited ll find some alternative mixes listed a few visitors have on hand a well-draining soil... Teeth ” on the edges of the leaves will tell you which one you have is not... … while repotting my Thanksgiving cactus when it outgrows its pot to do I... But… a: repotting large Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus ’ rounder and edges! The potting mixture is moist and clings to the same manner its other holiday cousins, is an aspect. Possible to expose the roots place it in a 511 mix or will I to... Houseplants Naturally with worm compost & worm compost years ago can find soil. Natural rainforest habits, they are sheltered by the canopies of trees and and! Have it April, 2019 - Thanksgiving cactus in the fall vs. Christmas cactus blooms the... Puts out in fall houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting ’ doing! Its high-quality ingredients about: gardening, gardens, crafting & creating more-pointed... Repotting isn ’ t want to transplant yours by early August before you to.