I just purchased a zygo, or christmas cactus from a store and i was just wondering if it poses any dangers to cats, dogs or guinea pigs.
Is the christmas cactus poisonus[sp?] to animals ?
No, it's not.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Is the christmas cactus poisonus to animals ?
I just purchased a zygo, or christmas cactus from a store and i was just wondering if it poses any dangers to cats, dogs or guinea pigs.
Is the christmas cactus poisonus to animals ?
No. But these are usually treated as a hanging houseplant. If its hung from a hook, the dog and cat cant get to it. Never mind how the pig would get up there.
Is the christmas cactus poisonus to animals ?
No. But these are usually treated as a hanging houseplant. If its hung from a hook, the dog and cat cant get to it. Never mind how the pig would get up there.
Sick christmas cactus.. what do I do?
Someone gave me thier sick christmas cactus and it is just a few little leaves.. it was dry when she gave it to me and in a small pot. I would like to helpit recover, what can I do?
Sick christmas cactus.. what do I do?
talk to the catus....they love co2 and umm water not too muuch....and alittle sunlight if this does not work or u are hesitant...try going to a local florist.they might assist u
Reply:Christmas Cactus's love humidity. A little misting now and then will help. Maybe repot with a light soil and not too large of container. I have found mine does best in an East window. Give it a little time it should improve. Or you can cut a piece put in a jar of water, until it roots and start all over. Good luck.
pomegranate
Sick christmas cactus.. what do I do?
talk to the catus....they love co2 and umm water not too muuch....and alittle sunlight if this does not work or u are hesitant...try going to a local florist.they might assist u
Reply:Christmas Cactus's love humidity. A little misting now and then will help. Maybe repot with a light soil and not too large of container. I have found mine does best in an East window. Give it a little time it should improve. Or you can cut a piece put in a jar of water, until it roots and start all over. Good luck.
pomegranate
Christmas cactus...repotting?
I have a Christmas cactus that desperatley needs to be repotted. What is the best type of soil I should use for repotting? I will be repotting this plant into a hanging basket.
Thank you!!
Christmas cactus...repotting?
You can use any general purpose potting soil or african violet mix.
Shake off old potting material from the roots and repot to the same level as it was growing before.
Thank you!!
Christmas cactus...repotting?
You can use any general purpose potting soil or african violet mix.
Shake off old potting material from the roots and repot to the same level as it was growing before.
Christmas Cactus dying?
My Christmas cactus appears to be wilting and turning purple/ reddish at the ends of it. There aren't the flower, the green plant itself is turning purplish at the ends. It is also very thin too. The "leaves/ branches" are very very flat.
I repotted it but it's still all wilty
There are few flys around it too
any suggestions?
it kinda old...a few years....so is it at the end of its lifespan?
Christmas Cactus dying?
I've had the same problem and found I was watering it too much.
This may help you in caring for it.
How to Care for a Christmas Cactus
A beautiful holiday plant, the Christmas Cactus blooms only at Christmas time. The buds which bloom into glorious flowers grow from the tip of each leaf; their arrival announces Christmas holiday season. Flowers bloom in a variety of colors. A month prior to Christmas, you will be able to watch the tips of the leaves beginning to grow. The tips grow darker as each day passes, until a bud forms. At Christmas time, as if by magic, the buds open to a beautiful flower. Perfect for indoor rooms or patios.
[edit] StepsKeep your Christmas Cactus in appropriate conditions. A Christmas Cactus will appreciate most a sunny location. Keep the plant in a well-lit location away from drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Move an indoors plant outdoors in summer, to a shady location. Bright, indirect light is best.
Water a Christmas Cactus with care. Caring for a cactus plant can be a bit tricky as you need to take care not to overwater or underwater a cactus:
Care must be taken not to underwater it, for while a Christmas cactus is in origin a tropical plant, it is not quite as drought tolerant as its desert cactus cousins. If the soil gets too dry, the flowers buds will drop, and the plant will wilt. While they might not need as much watering as other plants, just keep in mind that unlike many cacti, this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil.
Too much watering will cause spots from white rot to appear on the leaves, and the leaves will likely fall off. The soil should be evenly moist for best growth. The rule of thumb is, less water is better than too much water.
Water the cactus consistently. A good method is to water a cactus as follows:
Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny.
Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week.
When watering, thoroughly water the plant. Before attempting to water the plant again, check to see that the top inch of soil has dried thoroughly before watering again.
Mist leaves as well as watering the soil.
During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming.
Add fertilizer to assist plant growth. Plants that are actively growing should be given a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer. Follow the label directions for how much and how often to feed. Fertilizing is important to keep the plant in good condition; the joints are fragile and can break apart if the plant descends into poor health.
Prune the Christmas cactus after blooming. This will encourage the plant to branch out.
Encourage the flower blooming for the holiday season. The key to getting Christmas cactus to flower during the holiday season is proper light exposure, correct temperatures and limited watering.
During the fall months, the Christmas Cactus should be placed in a spot where it receives indoor indirect, bright light during the daylight hours but total darkness at night. This is similar to the exposure needed by a poinsettia except that a Christmas poinsettia requires warm temperatures whereas the Christmas Cactus needs a spot where the temperatures are cool during the fall months.
The Christmas Cactus requires long, uninterrupted dark periods, about 12 hours each night. Begin the dark treatments in about mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. Place the plants in a dark area from about 8 P.M. - 8 A.M. each night for 6-8 weeks or until you see buds forming. A closet or room are ideal places.
The Christmas Cactus should also be subjected to cool temperatures of about 50 to 55 degrees F. From September and October, the Christmas Cactus should be kept in a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 degrees, give or take a few degrees. Be sure not to expose the plant to freezing temperatures. It's also very important they be kept in a room where no artificial light will be turned on at night. Plants should be blooming for the holidays if cool treatments are started by early November.
Propagate a Christmas Cactus by cutting off sections of the stem. Each section must consist of two or three joined segments. Allow each section to dry for a few hours before pushing them into a 3-inch pot that contains the same potting soil as the parent plant.
Treat the cuttings as mature plants. In about four to six weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and will begin to show some new growth. They grow quickly, and should take in about two or three weeks.
Reply:it was over watered, as evidenced by the flies.
make certain it isn't sitting in water. put it outside (in the shade) and allow it to dry out somewhat.
it may make it yet! :)
Reply:I have had christmas and thanksgiving cactus live for decades. If you watered it and it is wilty, then you probably have root rot from overwatering. The flies are fungus gnats that live in wet organic potting media. Let the top of the soil dry out between watering. Check the roots, if they are mush, then start over. You can break off the sections of the stem and let them dry for a day. repot in well drained soil. Keep out of direct light until they root. They like to be pot bound, so do not repot until they are falling over. Fertilize once and a while during the growing season.
Reply:The purple usually indicates a bit too much sun, however, unless it is getting direct sun it still should be alright. I have mine under artificial lighting and it does just fine. Also, like any succulent, Christmas cactus needs very little water. I water mine maybe once a month. If you want it to flower then you will need to put it somewhere it can experience some winter chill and light changes associated with the seasons.
Mine is in my bathroom that is not heated so it gets to experience a mild winter and it flowers every year.
Good Luck
I repotted it but it's still all wilty
There are few flys around it too
any suggestions?
it kinda old...a few years....so is it at the end of its lifespan?
Christmas Cactus dying?
I've had the same problem and found I was watering it too much.
This may help you in caring for it.
How to Care for a Christmas Cactus
A beautiful holiday plant, the Christmas Cactus blooms only at Christmas time. The buds which bloom into glorious flowers grow from the tip of each leaf; their arrival announces Christmas holiday season. Flowers bloom in a variety of colors. A month prior to Christmas, you will be able to watch the tips of the leaves beginning to grow. The tips grow darker as each day passes, until a bud forms. At Christmas time, as if by magic, the buds open to a beautiful flower. Perfect for indoor rooms or patios.
[edit] StepsKeep your Christmas Cactus in appropriate conditions. A Christmas Cactus will appreciate most a sunny location. Keep the plant in a well-lit location away from drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Move an indoors plant outdoors in summer, to a shady location. Bright, indirect light is best.
Water a Christmas Cactus with care. Caring for a cactus plant can be a bit tricky as you need to take care not to overwater or underwater a cactus:
Care must be taken not to underwater it, for while a Christmas cactus is in origin a tropical plant, it is not quite as drought tolerant as its desert cactus cousins. If the soil gets too dry, the flowers buds will drop, and the plant will wilt. While they might not need as much watering as other plants, just keep in mind that unlike many cacti, this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil.
Too much watering will cause spots from white rot to appear on the leaves, and the leaves will likely fall off. The soil should be evenly moist for best growth. The rule of thumb is, less water is better than too much water.
Water the cactus consistently. A good method is to water a cactus as follows:
Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny.
Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week.
When watering, thoroughly water the plant. Before attempting to water the plant again, check to see that the top inch of soil has dried thoroughly before watering again.
Mist leaves as well as watering the soil.
During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming.
Add fertilizer to assist plant growth. Plants that are actively growing should be given a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer. Follow the label directions for how much and how often to feed. Fertilizing is important to keep the plant in good condition; the joints are fragile and can break apart if the plant descends into poor health.
Prune the Christmas cactus after blooming. This will encourage the plant to branch out.
Encourage the flower blooming for the holiday season. The key to getting Christmas cactus to flower during the holiday season is proper light exposure, correct temperatures and limited watering.
During the fall months, the Christmas Cactus should be placed in a spot where it receives indoor indirect, bright light during the daylight hours but total darkness at night. This is similar to the exposure needed by a poinsettia except that a Christmas poinsettia requires warm temperatures whereas the Christmas Cactus needs a spot where the temperatures are cool during the fall months.
The Christmas Cactus requires long, uninterrupted dark periods, about 12 hours each night. Begin the dark treatments in about mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. Place the plants in a dark area from about 8 P.M. - 8 A.M. each night for 6-8 weeks or until you see buds forming. A closet or room are ideal places.
The Christmas Cactus should also be subjected to cool temperatures of about 50 to 55 degrees F. From September and October, the Christmas Cactus should be kept in a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 degrees, give or take a few degrees. Be sure not to expose the plant to freezing temperatures. It's also very important they be kept in a room where no artificial light will be turned on at night. Plants should be blooming for the holidays if cool treatments are started by early November.
Propagate a Christmas Cactus by cutting off sections of the stem. Each section must consist of two or three joined segments. Allow each section to dry for a few hours before pushing them into a 3-inch pot that contains the same potting soil as the parent plant.
Treat the cuttings as mature plants. In about four to six weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and will begin to show some new growth. They grow quickly, and should take in about two or three weeks.
Reply:it was over watered, as evidenced by the flies.
make certain it isn't sitting in water. put it outside (in the shade) and allow it to dry out somewhat.
it may make it yet! :)
Reply:I have had christmas and thanksgiving cactus live for decades. If you watered it and it is wilty, then you probably have root rot from overwatering. The flies are fungus gnats that live in wet organic potting media. Let the top of the soil dry out between watering. Check the roots, if they are mush, then start over. You can break off the sections of the stem and let them dry for a day. repot in well drained soil. Keep out of direct light until they root. They like to be pot bound, so do not repot until they are falling over. Fertilize once and a while during the growing season.
Reply:The purple usually indicates a bit too much sun, however, unless it is getting direct sun it still should be alright. I have mine under artificial lighting and it does just fine. Also, like any succulent, Christmas cactus needs very little water. I water mine maybe once a month. If you want it to flower then you will need to put it somewhere it can experience some winter chill and light changes associated with the seasons.
Mine is in my bathroom that is not heated so it gets to experience a mild winter and it flowers every year.
Good Luck
Christmas cactus is starting to get a bud.?
Okay, so I have asked a few questions on here about getting my christmas cactus to bloom. Well, I had it outside this summer as our summers are nice and I put it in the shade. The plant was growing like crazy, little pink leaves were sprouting but still no flower. So, I heard about putting it in total darkness and I did, I put it in the closet. Well I had it in there about a week and I checked AND I have a bloom. It hasn't opened yet, but my question was should I start watering it now or putting it out of the shade? Or just leave it? I can't wait to see it!!!
Christmas cactus is starting to get a bud.?
The secret to getting Christmas Cactus to bloom is uninterrupted night periods of about 12 hours. If its in a room that gets the lights turned on and off during the evening, you'll disrupt the flowering process. It blooms better if you have good intensity light during the day hours (grow light or good sunny location.)
Purdue extension has a good guide on Christmas Cactus. I have posted it below. Have fun and good luck!
Reply:To promote blooms place Christmas cacti in locations ranging between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, in order to bloom, they need several hours per day of complete darkness beginning around the middle of October. While the buds are developing, the Christmas cactus should be placed in a location that receives filtered light. At this point, it should not be moved. Moving the plant would encourage blooms that are not facing the light to turn. This could weaken the buds and cause them to drop off.
After blooming prune your Christmas cactus to remove a few sections either by pinching or by cutting them off with a well-sharpened knife. Doing so will promote branching and new growth.
Proper watering is important to the successful growth of the Christmas cactus. To encourage buds to form, less water should be given in late spring. After the Christmas cactus has formed blooms, it will require regular watering. Even though the Christmas cactus is considered a succulent plant, it does not tolerate drought conditions very well. The best way to decide if the plant needs water is by feeling the soil.
Reply:Now you start putting it in indirect, but fairly bright light. Water just enough to moisten it, and let it dry out in between waterings. While it is blooming, it needs a bit more water than when dormant. Never put it in direct bright sun. A cooler room is preferable to a hot, dry one.
Reply:http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=christm...
Christmas cactus is starting to get a bud.?
The secret to getting Christmas Cactus to bloom is uninterrupted night periods of about 12 hours. If its in a room that gets the lights turned on and off during the evening, you'll disrupt the flowering process. It blooms better if you have good intensity light during the day hours (grow light or good sunny location.)
Purdue extension has a good guide on Christmas Cactus. I have posted it below. Have fun and good luck!
Reply:To promote blooms place Christmas cacti in locations ranging between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, in order to bloom, they need several hours per day of complete darkness beginning around the middle of October. While the buds are developing, the Christmas cactus should be placed in a location that receives filtered light. At this point, it should not be moved. Moving the plant would encourage blooms that are not facing the light to turn. This could weaken the buds and cause them to drop off.
After blooming prune your Christmas cactus to remove a few sections either by pinching or by cutting them off with a well-sharpened knife. Doing so will promote branching and new growth.
Proper watering is important to the successful growth of the Christmas cactus. To encourage buds to form, less water should be given in late spring. After the Christmas cactus has formed blooms, it will require regular watering. Even though the Christmas cactus is considered a succulent plant, it does not tolerate drought conditions very well. The best way to decide if the plant needs water is by feeling the soil.
Reply:Now you start putting it in indirect, but fairly bright light. Water just enough to moisten it, and let it dry out in between waterings. While it is blooming, it needs a bit more water than when dormant. Never put it in direct bright sun. A cooler room is preferable to a hot, dry one.
Reply:http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=christm...
I need info on Christmas Cactus ??
I got a few christmas cactus that bloom of course at christmas time, but I have one that I bought in full bloom 2 years ago at Easter time. It has not bloomed again yet. The leaves are a little rounder then the Christmas cactus. Anybody have any idea what it is or when it will bloom again
I need info on Christmas Cactus ??
Holiday Cactus--the genus is Schlumbergera (still often called "Zygocactus") has several species. See the link to wikipedia for some pictures and comparison of the so-called 'Thanksgiving', 'Christmas' and 'Easter' species.
This will help you distinguish among the three.
Reply:This is not a seasonal plant for hollidays.This plant can grow all year but buds do not form unless left in complete darkness at night. They like warm weather. The plant can grow very large if cared for.
Reply:After my plants ( that I too bought a couple of years ago in full bloom) didn't bloom this year ago i did some research and found that they are sort of similar to the poinsetta in that they need dark nights for so many hours in order to bloom, and that the way they are watered may have an impact... I found this information in an old readers digest book- but the information is most likely on a website somewhere.... sorry that I don't know the exactness of anything..
Reply:You've encountered a common problem.:-)
There are zygocacti that are "thanksgiving cactus" (a true zygocactus usually sold as Xmas cactus because they bloom before Xmas and can actually be sold), Xmas cactus, which really blooms AT Xmas, and Easter cactus.
Though I've fogotten the specifics of the Easter variety,(rhipsalis maybe?), the Thanksgiving variety has points on the leaf segments while the Xmas cactus is rounded (schlumbergera is the botanical name as I recall).
The Thanksgiving cactus often re-blooms in the spring.
Enjoy!
Reply:If you usea good blooming plant fertilizer in small doses the plants will bloom longer and more than once a year.
Reply:Christmas cacti flower as a function of short photoperiod - when the days get shorter. Also as a function of temperature. Notwithstanding what an earlier response said, they like cool.
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis) blooms around Easter. One of mine blooms almost the entire year. It was this jungle variety that was crossed with an epiphyllum - I believe- that gave us the Schlumbergera....Hence the similarity.
Reply:There are different cacti that look like a christmas cactus.....if you got this around easter time then I'd say it's called the easter catus and i think there's another one to that blooms near another holiday. Whatever you do definately works for your christmas cactus but this other one most likely needs something else in order to bloom at easter time. Do you fertilize a month or so before easter? Is it warm enough or cool enough where you have it? Yes, the amount of darkness (14 hours per night)really matters for a christmas cactus and the less water a month before you want them to bloom the better. I don't think this is a christmas cactus, maybe you need to give it more darkness because we have more daylight at easter. Try the following site...it has information on christmas, easter and thanksgiving cactus:
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/...
Reply:to make it bloom stick it in a cool room the cold should throw it into blooming season. Thats what my mom done i'm 41 and it works for me as well.
Business
I need info on Christmas Cactus ??
Holiday Cactus--the genus is Schlumbergera (still often called "Zygocactus") has several species. See the link to wikipedia for some pictures and comparison of the so-called 'Thanksgiving', 'Christmas' and 'Easter' species.
This will help you distinguish among the three.
Reply:This is not a seasonal plant for hollidays.This plant can grow all year but buds do not form unless left in complete darkness at night. They like warm weather. The plant can grow very large if cared for.
Reply:After my plants ( that I too bought a couple of years ago in full bloom) didn't bloom this year ago i did some research and found that they are sort of similar to the poinsetta in that they need dark nights for so many hours in order to bloom, and that the way they are watered may have an impact... I found this information in an old readers digest book- but the information is most likely on a website somewhere.... sorry that I don't know the exactness of anything..
Reply:You've encountered a common problem.:-)
There are zygocacti that are "thanksgiving cactus" (a true zygocactus usually sold as Xmas cactus because they bloom before Xmas and can actually be sold), Xmas cactus, which really blooms AT Xmas, and Easter cactus.
Though I've fogotten the specifics of the Easter variety,(rhipsalis maybe?), the Thanksgiving variety has points on the leaf segments while the Xmas cactus is rounded (schlumbergera is the botanical name as I recall).
The Thanksgiving cactus often re-blooms in the spring.
Enjoy!
Reply:If you usea good blooming plant fertilizer in small doses the plants will bloom longer and more than once a year.
Reply:Christmas cacti flower as a function of short photoperiod - when the days get shorter. Also as a function of temperature. Notwithstanding what an earlier response said, they like cool.
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis) blooms around Easter. One of mine blooms almost the entire year. It was this jungle variety that was crossed with an epiphyllum - I believe- that gave us the Schlumbergera....Hence the similarity.
Reply:There are different cacti that look like a christmas cactus.....if you got this around easter time then I'd say it's called the easter catus and i think there's another one to that blooms near another holiday. Whatever you do definately works for your christmas cactus but this other one most likely needs something else in order to bloom at easter time. Do you fertilize a month or so before easter? Is it warm enough or cool enough where you have it? Yes, the amount of darkness (14 hours per night)really matters for a christmas cactus and the less water a month before you want them to bloom the better. I don't think this is a christmas cactus, maybe you need to give it more darkness because we have more daylight at easter. Try the following site...it has information on christmas, easter and thanksgiving cactus:
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/...
Reply:to make it bloom stick it in a cool room the cold should throw it into blooming season. Thats what my mom done i'm 41 and it works for me as well.
Business
Help with Christmas Cactus?
As a Christmas gift one of our customers brought us small Christmas cactus. It was in a small little pot. I kept it on my desk and I kept it watered. Then before I knew it... it was too big for the little cup it was in.
I took it home and put it in a bigger pot with more potting soil and brought it back to work.
It's still growing... but now it just doesn't seem very healthy. The leaves on it seem to be very thin.
I've heard that these plants can live for years and years. I want to at least get mine through one! haha! Does anyone have any tips to get my cactus going again?
(I keep it on my desk at work where it can get a little sun from the window thats near my desk... and i just water it whenever teh soil feels dry)
Help with Christmas Cactus?
I've had one for years and I do not garden.
I have transplanted it into a larger pot .
I use those feeding sticks about 3-4 times a year.You just push them into the soil and almost every time, I get new leaves and a bud !
Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Reply:since it is a cactus, it needs more sun and since you mentioned that the leaves were thinning out you should try using some fertilizer to condition the soil,nitrates from your local garden shop would do, just make sure you ask for the complete type of fertilizer. there are some fertilizers just for specific functions like to induce flowering or growth.
goodluck!
I took it home and put it in a bigger pot with more potting soil and brought it back to work.
It's still growing... but now it just doesn't seem very healthy. The leaves on it seem to be very thin.
I've heard that these plants can live for years and years. I want to at least get mine through one! haha! Does anyone have any tips to get my cactus going again?
(I keep it on my desk at work where it can get a little sun from the window thats near my desk... and i just water it whenever teh soil feels dry)
Help with Christmas Cactus?
I've had one for years and I do not garden.
I have transplanted it into a larger pot .
I use those feeding sticks about 3-4 times a year.You just push them into the soil and almost every time, I get new leaves and a bud !
Good luck. Let me know how it goes.
Reply:since it is a cactus, it needs more sun and since you mentioned that the leaves were thinning out you should try using some fertilizer to condition the soil,nitrates from your local garden shop would do, just make sure you ask for the complete type of fertilizer. there are some fertilizers just for specific functions like to induce flowering or growth.
goodluck!
Christmas cactus not blooming...?
I have had this christmas cactus for years and about 2 years ago it stopped blooming. I have tried it all, I have repotted it in cactus fertilizer and now brought it outside in the shade and it is growing like crazy. All the leaves are reddish but I still get no blooms. How can I force it to bloom to see if it still will?
Christmas cactus not blooming...?
Temps are not the only thing to trigger blooming. The Christmas cactus blooms are triggered by changes in light and temperature and that is why I leave mine in my bathroom next to a drafty window. The lights are almost always off in the bathroom and the only light it gets is from the window. There is no heat and air return in my bathroom either so it gets full benefit of the colder temps. This allows the CC to experience the change in season and light. Longer and cooler nights are what trigger blooms and that is why they typically bloom in December and January.
Here is a site you might find useful. It tells you how to force bloom time.
http://users.bestweb.net/~habitat/Christ...
Good Luck
Reply:This sounds crazy but put it in the fridge over night and take it out It will bloom in about a month or less. good luck
Reply:The trick is, to put this plant in the dark spot about a month before its blooming time. You can also cover it with a plastic bag or something. It'll do the trick for mine. Is your pot big enough for the plant? You might need to divide it.
Christmas cactus not blooming...?
Temps are not the only thing to trigger blooming. The Christmas cactus blooms are triggered by changes in light and temperature and that is why I leave mine in my bathroom next to a drafty window. The lights are almost always off in the bathroom and the only light it gets is from the window. There is no heat and air return in my bathroom either so it gets full benefit of the colder temps. This allows the CC to experience the change in season and light. Longer and cooler nights are what trigger blooms and that is why they typically bloom in December and January.
Here is a site you might find useful. It tells you how to force bloom time.
http://users.bestweb.net/~habitat/Christ...
Good Luck
Reply:This sounds crazy but put it in the fridge over night and take it out It will bloom in about a month or less. good luck
Reply:The trick is, to put this plant in the dark spot about a month before its blooming time. You can also cover it with a plastic bag or something. It'll do the trick for mine. Is your pot big enough for the plant? You might need to divide it.
Cutting and planting christmas cactus?
here's the deal... ive been working on my green thumb for cacti growth recently, so far 3 casualties, and 3 still surviving... now i want to move onto a christmas cactus. my mom a few around the house, but she's not so good with them, they look like they are tired and sagging. anyways, i want to steal a piece or 2 by cutting it and replanting it... how do i go about this successfully?
ive already bought some cactus soil and a small pot. i don't want it to grow too big, but to look pretty and bloom, so i will most likely keep it in the small pot, and possibly decorate it...
what are some tips and information i need to know for growing a beatiful healthy christmas cactus?
Cutting and planting christmas cactus?
It is essential that you let the cut piece form a tough scab. It can take a few weeks or more. Don't be in a hurry. If you rush it, it will rot and turn to mush and you will have to start all over.
Reall, it is easy. Use a little rootone on the dried cutting and you'll be fine.
Reply:I'm not very good at gardening, but I live in a cactus zone (sonora-arizona desert)... lucky you, these plants barely need mantienance, maybe all they need is sun and veeery few water.
Go for it, it's gonna be a very original christmas tree, but be careful when you decorate it, use some thick gloves and don't touch it... you may think you touched a thorn-free spot, but you haven't! (believe me, it took me an all-day-long lesson to learn that... ouch)
Reply:I plant mine in regular soil and have had it for 6 years now. It gets a little bigger but is still only in a 6 inch pot. I think they fair well no matter how you plant them.
Reply:First of all, you need to look at the plant and determine which leaves or section you wan to take. Then you need to look at it to find little brown hair-like things between one of the leaves. These are a must because they will become the roots. If not there, look for a different section of leaves. Finally cut the group off and plant. Water the plant a little and hopefully it will take off and grow. If you need any other planting info., feel free to email me at butterfly_kimberly9@yahoo.
ive already bought some cactus soil and a small pot. i don't want it to grow too big, but to look pretty and bloom, so i will most likely keep it in the small pot, and possibly decorate it...
what are some tips and information i need to know for growing a beatiful healthy christmas cactus?
Cutting and planting christmas cactus?
It is essential that you let the cut piece form a tough scab. It can take a few weeks or more. Don't be in a hurry. If you rush it, it will rot and turn to mush and you will have to start all over.
Reall, it is easy. Use a little rootone on the dried cutting and you'll be fine.
Reply:I'm not very good at gardening, but I live in a cactus zone (sonora-arizona desert)... lucky you, these plants barely need mantienance, maybe all they need is sun and veeery few water.
Go for it, it's gonna be a very original christmas tree, but be careful when you decorate it, use some thick gloves and don't touch it... you may think you touched a thorn-free spot, but you haven't! (believe me, it took me an all-day-long lesson to learn that... ouch)
Reply:I plant mine in regular soil and have had it for 6 years now. It gets a little bigger but is still only in a 6 inch pot. I think they fair well no matter how you plant them.
Reply:First of all, you need to look at the plant and determine which leaves or section you wan to take. Then you need to look at it to find little brown hair-like things between one of the leaves. These are a must because they will become the roots. If not there, look for a different section of leaves. Finally cut the group off and plant. Water the plant a little and hopefully it will take off and grow. If you need any other planting info., feel free to email me at butterfly_kimberly9@yahoo.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Christmas cactus?
I have a cactus for years now and I have never had a bloom or a flower on it, does anyone have any ideas. I've tryed a few and they didn't work.
Christmas cactus?
I have one too and I've had it for a while. This year I started watering it more often and I used the same water that I used for African violets. That water has 7 drops of the miracle grow fert. for african violets added to it. This Dec. it put on blooms. Not sure if the fert. did it or not. May have just been a coincidence.
Reply:Christmas cacti like to be chilled and dark for 2 weeks to bloom. The fertilizer helps, but they need the cool temps to kick it into bloom mode. This is going to sound weird, but, put it in a cool (45-50 degrees), dark place for 2 weeks. Water it thoroughly first, then place it in a basement, attached garage (they usually aren't as cold as an unattached one), or if you have neither, do like I do and put it in a box in your fridge. That seems to be the perfect temp because the box insulates it a little and most fridges run around 40 to 45 degrees anyway. Good Luck!!!
new year lily
Christmas cactus?
I have one too and I've had it for a while. This year I started watering it more often and I used the same water that I used for African violets. That water has 7 drops of the miracle grow fert. for african violets added to it. This Dec. it put on blooms. Not sure if the fert. did it or not. May have just been a coincidence.
Reply:Christmas cacti like to be chilled and dark for 2 weeks to bloom. The fertilizer helps, but they need the cool temps to kick it into bloom mode. This is going to sound weird, but, put it in a cool (45-50 degrees), dark place for 2 weeks. Water it thoroughly first, then place it in a basement, attached garage (they usually aren't as cold as an unattached one), or if you have neither, do like I do and put it in a box in your fridge. That seems to be the perfect temp because the box insulates it a little and most fridges run around 40 to 45 degrees anyway. Good Luck!!!
new year lily
Christmas Cactus?
Whats going on with my cactus? There are no
red buds anymore, will they ever come back
the cactus part are lush green but NO buds?
Will they ever come back or should I trash them
and get more next year?
Christmas Cactus?
It will re-bloom when it's good and ready. Mine is a bit off kiltered and generally blooms around easter time. Sometimes 4th of july, sometimes halloween. Sometimes not at all. And yes, every once in a great while it does bloom somewhere around Christmas.
Reply:It's called a Christmas Cactus because it blooms at Christmas time. That doesn't mean that it dies afterwards. If you keep it healthy, it will bloom again next christmas.
Reply:Don't trash it unless it dies. I have one that just bloomed for the first time %26amp; it's 3 years old!
Reply:It is done blooming for this season and will start to make new foliage.
The plants will set flower buds on the tips of new growth and in the axis between leaf segments in the fall when the days grow shorter and nights are cooler.
See source for more info
red buds anymore, will they ever come back
the cactus part are lush green but NO buds?
Will they ever come back or should I trash them
and get more next year?
Christmas Cactus?
It will re-bloom when it's good and ready. Mine is a bit off kiltered and generally blooms around easter time. Sometimes 4th of july, sometimes halloween. Sometimes not at all. And yes, every once in a great while it does bloom somewhere around Christmas.
Reply:It's called a Christmas Cactus because it blooms at Christmas time. That doesn't mean that it dies afterwards. If you keep it healthy, it will bloom again next christmas.
Reply:Don't trash it unless it dies. I have one that just bloomed for the first time %26amp; it's 3 years old!
Reply:It is done blooming for this season and will start to make new foliage.
The plants will set flower buds on the tips of new growth and in the axis between leaf segments in the fall when the days grow shorter and nights are cooler.
See source for more info
Christmas Cactus?
My Christmas cactus did not bloom this past season and it is not growing and seems wilty all the time, what should I do any suggestions? It is planted in a old iron pot. I live in Ashland, KY.
Christmas Cactus?
Does the pot have drainage holes in the bottom?? Wilty makes me wonder if the roots aren't rotting out.
Now is the time to get it into a better pot. Clay doesn't keep plants wet, it allows the soil to dry as the clay evaporates water from the soil. That can be a problem if you forget to water, plants in clay dry out faster. Use plastic or clay, you choice. I use both.
Since Christmas cactus aren't true "cactus" but are tropical, they need a well draining but humusy soil, a good potting soil will do, but it should drain well, not turn to mush when wet.
Not knowing how far gone the plant is when you transplant it, you can root individual sections and start new plants. Worth trying at least.
Reply:it might be a thanksging one if the flowers are white.its probably off season
Reply:Take it out of the iron pot and put it in a clay or plastic. The iron from the pot is killing it.
Reply:Some plants become root bound. If and when you transplant it, if it is completely full of a root system, I think you should break/cut it into sections before planting. Try to loosen or break into the root system to give the roots some room to grow or at least thrive. Have never had or transplanted a Christmas cactus but they are beautiful.
Reply:It is true that iron pots are no good, but i wouldn't use a clay one because, they retain a lot of moisture. Go for a plastic one with drainage, because as you know cactus don't care for too much water. good luck.
Christmas Cactus?
Does the pot have drainage holes in the bottom?? Wilty makes me wonder if the roots aren't rotting out.
Now is the time to get it into a better pot. Clay doesn't keep plants wet, it allows the soil to dry as the clay evaporates water from the soil. That can be a problem if you forget to water, plants in clay dry out faster. Use plastic or clay, you choice. I use both.
Since Christmas cactus aren't true "cactus" but are tropical, they need a well draining but humusy soil, a good potting soil will do, but it should drain well, not turn to mush when wet.
Not knowing how far gone the plant is when you transplant it, you can root individual sections and start new plants. Worth trying at least.
Reply:it might be a thanksging one if the flowers are white.its probably off season
Reply:Take it out of the iron pot and put it in a clay or plastic. The iron from the pot is killing it.
Reply:Some plants become root bound. If and when you transplant it, if it is completely full of a root system, I think you should break/cut it into sections before planting. Try to loosen or break into the root system to give the roots some room to grow or at least thrive. Have never had or transplanted a Christmas cactus but they are beautiful.
Reply:It is true that iron pots are no good, but i wouldn't use a clay one because, they retain a lot of moisture. Go for a plastic one with drainage, because as you know cactus don't care for too much water. good luck.
Christmas Cactus?
Has the Christmas Cactus been bred (is that the right word?) so that it flowers on or near Christmas Day, or is it just a coincidence that it does so?
Christmas Cactus?
oh thanks for this question ive had a christmas cactus for yrs..and it hasnt bloomed for most of them ..mine is in doors all yr round and it does get pretty hot in here..great answers thanks ...
Reply:it's simply a cool wether plant..so around christmas and a little before they bloom..keep in mind..A christmas cactus must have some darkness to bloom..so if you have it outside..keep it well away from the night porch lights etcetera..it will lose it's blooms if it already has them, and will refuse to bloom if it doesn't have any if it gets no darkness...you may get a couple blooms under light..but it will be very minimal..
Reply:normally in the Philippines (lowlands), we only see them in bloom during the cold months (late november to february) just like the poinsettias. but, in the highlands where the climate is cooler, they bloom almost all year round except during summer time. actually, it is not a cactus but a succulent
Reply:I have a Christmas Cactus and for it to bloom @ Christmas, you have to cut the light back 8 to 10 weeks before christmas. It needs 12-14 hrs. darkness a day. Mother nature does the rest.
Reply:this plant will develop flower buds when it has been subjected to cooler temperatures for 6-8 weeks,therefore from october when the weather is cooler it starts to prepare to flower for christmas time or thereabouts.
Reply:Mine are kept on the front porch year round here in Alabama, and they always bloom in DEC, but they sometimes bloom a second time in spring....no explanation as to why, but it happens. I don't believe they have been bred to bloom at a certain time. I think it's just their nature that temperature and light affect them and cause them to bloom when conditions are right.
Reply:i dont know but im interested in the answer so im gonna watch this ?
Christmas Cactus?
oh thanks for this question ive had a christmas cactus for yrs..and it hasnt bloomed for most of them ..mine is in doors all yr round and it does get pretty hot in here..great answers thanks ...
Reply:it's simply a cool wether plant..so around christmas and a little before they bloom..keep in mind..A christmas cactus must have some darkness to bloom..so if you have it outside..keep it well away from the night porch lights etcetera..it will lose it's blooms if it already has them, and will refuse to bloom if it doesn't have any if it gets no darkness...you may get a couple blooms under light..but it will be very minimal..
Reply:normally in the Philippines (lowlands), we only see them in bloom during the cold months (late november to february) just like the poinsettias. but, in the highlands where the climate is cooler, they bloom almost all year round except during summer time. actually, it is not a cactus but a succulent
Reply:I have a Christmas Cactus and for it to bloom @ Christmas, you have to cut the light back 8 to 10 weeks before christmas. It needs 12-14 hrs. darkness a day. Mother nature does the rest.
Reply:this plant will develop flower buds when it has been subjected to cooler temperatures for 6-8 weeks,therefore from october when the weather is cooler it starts to prepare to flower for christmas time or thereabouts.
Reply:Mine are kept on the front porch year round here in Alabama, and they always bloom in DEC, but they sometimes bloom a second time in spring....no explanation as to why, but it happens. I don't believe they have been bred to bloom at a certain time. I think it's just their nature that temperature and light affect them and cause them to bloom when conditions are right.
Reply:i dont know but im interested in the answer so im gonna watch this ?
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