During pruning, cut between two leaf segments. Watch Reply. If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus is possible, the answer is yes, and this article will help. It is easy to prune your plant. They also appreciate being misted once each day to keep the humidity high around the leaves. That being said, even the laziest gardener won’t be hassled with this easy-going greenery. My Christmas cactus is getting to large for the living room and I need to prune it down but don't know where or how to start. Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long-lasting, attractive succulents. Reigning from the tropics, this succulent needs specific and attentive care in order to bloom during Christmas time. Christmas cactus, which needs adequate care to bloom and be used as a beautiful Christmas decoration. Repotting, Pruning and Propagating Your Cactus. The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) is a very popular houseplant.Even if you’ve never grown one, you’re probably already familiar with the plant’s bright, tubular flowers. Feb 13, 2014 - It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. Trimming Christmas Cactus Plants: Steps On How To Prune A Christmas Cactus It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. With a little TLC, this winter plant will flower again and again. Remove renegade branches or any damaged foliage. I have a 55+ year old Christmas Cactus that I got after my grandmother's death. It is always ready to grace the living room once its blooms begin showing. Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. by Matt Gibson A Christmas cactus makes a lovely gift around the holidays for several reasons, whether you’re looking for a gift for a gardener or someone whose thumb is less than green. If your plant has a nice, beautiful shape, you don’t need to worry about pruning; however, if you have a gangly looking plant, you might want to prune it back to encourage branching. Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small, will help it to grow fuller and bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. Christmas Cactus Pruning. The Christmas cactus is a tropical type cactus and is not quite as drought tolerant as the name infers. First, the Christmas cactus is a super easy plant to care for. During this time, pinching off at the joints will encourage more branching. The best time to prune a Christmas Cactus is … Christmas Cactus is an easy-care, attractive houseplant that can live for a long time. Christmas cactus plants are particularly adept at growing in pots, which is one of the primary reasons that they enjoy such booming popularity as an indoor houseplant. Propagating a Christmas Cactus is easy, all you need to do is take the trimmed sections of the plant that you cut off during the pruning process and place them in a new pot of soil to grow. It has cascading green leaves, and it’ll practically overtake any pot you put it in. Christmas cactus pruning is not just for large plants, either. These succulents are long-lasting (if properly cared for of course) and grow along at a steady, moderate pace. Wherever you feel it makes sense to remove some of … In our Christmas cactus growing guide, we talk about best practices for indoor cultivation.. Additional articles address inducing dormancy to encourage blooming, as well as understanding aerial root development.. Read on to increase your knowledge of this plant even more as we explore potting mixes and the ingredients that are most beneficial for your Christmas cactus plant. 6. A happy Christmas cactus will do that. They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus so It Will Bloom All Holiday Season Long. Water the Christmas cactus after trimming with a complete soluble cactus fertilizer, such as a 2-7-7 blend. This plant has proven to be a reliable bloomer. Here is a simple guide on how to care for Christmas Cactus during its blooming period and longterm as well. More. All you do is gently pinch off segments at the joints. A Thanksgiving cactus, which is the same genus (Schlumbergera) as a true Christmas cactus but a different species, has leaves with curved, pointed “teeth,” whereas the Christmas cactus has rounder leaves. A Christmas cactus can be beautiful all year with the right care and watering. Christmas Cactus can live for 20 to 30 years. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when properly cared for, Christmas Cacti can live for 20 to 30 years. Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small will help it to grow bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. Do not over prune at this point, just help the plant keep its shape. oldhat Lacey, WA Dec 24, 2007. The Christmas cactus is known for producing bright pink flowers around Christmastime. Don’t be surprised if your Christmas cactus blooms sporadically throughout the year. I also feed it once in spring. Pruning a Christmas Cactus after blooming. The best part of pruning Christmas cactus is that the stem cuttings, which are a by-product of the pruning process, can be rooted and started as new plants. Prune your plant yearly, if necessary. It didn't do very well and didn't grow much and I was about to throw it away; then, I remembered seeing my grandmother pour whatever she was drinking on the cactus, (tea, coffee). Christmas cactus is a jungle cactus that prefers humidity and moisture, unlike its standard cactus cousins, which require a warm, arid climate. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Cyclamen is a gorgeous flower blossoming for about eight weeks from Thanksgiving through Christmas. However, it is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves. Steps Removing the Stems. Neil Sperry: Christmas cactus blooms closer to Thanksgiving Q: I just took a look at my 6-year-old peach tree and did some research online about how I should be pruning it. When planting or repotting your cactus, you should look for pots that fit snugly around the plant’s root system. Take 1-2 … The best time to prune Christmas cactus is summer. Place healthy cutting into moist potting soil to generate new plants easily. ... Pruning can be done liberally, and fertilizer can be given every two weeks. Pruning your Christmas cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus will make it branch out, and grow more segmented stem leaves. Water the plants only when a finger thrust into the soil comes up dry. ... Pruning. For the best results, propagation should be done in the spring of the year, and at last one segment of the plant should be buried underneath the soil. Christmas Cactus Care. Christmas Cactus does best in a cool, sunny room. Moreover, the plant would grow more. These are where the buds will be concentrated. Can you imagine passing a living, flowering plant on to your children or grandchildren? With the proper preparation and pruning technique, you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of your Christmas cactus plant. Dissolve about 10 drops of the fertilizer in 1 quart of water. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. 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. Taking off terminal sections in early summer forces it to create more. A winter-bloomer, Christmas cactus displays flowers in shades of red, lavender, rose, purple, white, peach, cream and … Christmas Cactus, although lovely when blooming, are not only for the holidays. Christmas cacti tend to bloom better if they are kept slightly pot bound. Proper christmas cactus care may be a bit different from what you’d expect of the usual desert cacti, as these are tropical rainforest succulents. The Christmas cactus, (chlumbergera bridesii or Schlumbergera truncata), is actually not a cactus at all, but a member of the succulent family. The simple process of pruning can help grow a fuller, bushier plant, or decrease the size of your existing plant. And the holiday season can cause even more headaches for pet parents, with dazzling amaryllis flowers, poinsettia plants, and festive decor that may include evergreens, berries, and mistletoe to consider.. Not to mention holiday trees adorned with ornaments and lights twinkling in the corner of the living room.. What about Christmas cactus? Unlike many other houseplants, the Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera × buckleyi , USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12) produces an abundance of flowers.Dividing or propagating this plant is an easy way to fill your home or office with cheerful flowers. You can find Christmas Cactus sold practically everywhere during the holiday season making them a very popular blooming houseplant. Prune plants back a bit in the spring to help keep their shape and form. ... Pruning should only be done through the spring with the last pruning occurring in late spring or early summer. It is over 37 inches wide and stands over 30 inches tall. Pruning & Re-potting – Christmas Cactus Care. Second, it produces long … These also make unique gifts around the holidays, and are spectacular alternatives to poinsettias or holly.. Read on to learn more about this colorful house plant, and how to cultivate your own! Cool temperatures between 65°F-70°F (18.3°C-21.2°C) help Christmas cactus flowers last longer. Pruning lightly after flowering re-energizes the plant. Once they’re happy and burgeoning forth, you’ll most likely be asked to share the love. Cyclamen. 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