Cool temperatures between 65°F-70°F (18.3°C-21.2°C) help Christmas cactus flowers last longer. This collects the needles and smaller pieces of the plant as you prune it and keeps them contained for easier disposal. Mar 11, 2013 - It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. ... Pruning should only be done through the spring with the last pruning occurring in late spring or early summer. Approved. Do you want a really cool blooming plant for the holiday season? Never prune a Christmas Cactus after May. However you can buy mixed cactus seed cheaply, and it’s fun to see which cactus varieties you end up with. This winter I decided to prune it. The recommended moisture reading may depend on the manufacturer of the meter. Can it be pruned back to 1/3 its size? Steps Removing the Stems. 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Feb 13, 2014 - It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. How to easily prune your Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus plants. Place a large trash can and shovel nearby to dispose of larger pieces of the cactus. 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! Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. Although Christmas cactus is easy to get along with … Water your cuttings sparingly to prevent rot. Pruning a Christmas cactus, large or small will help it to grow bushier, which in turn results in more blooms in the future. Remove renegade branches or any damaged foliage. If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus is possible, the answer is yes, and this article will help. Watch Reply. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Dec 30, 2017 - It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. Last Updated: November 25, 2020 By using our site, you agree to our. 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. Well, look no further. Reigning from the tropics, this succulent needs specific and attentive care in order to bloom during Christmas time. Can we just relax and think about this? The next, "This article gave me the inspiration to try and repot a very old plant and get it to bloom. If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus is possible, the answer is yes, and this article will help. The best time to prune a holiday cactus is in spring through summer or right after it has bloomed. Thanks.". Cover the ground around the cactus you are pruning with an old sheet, carpet scraps or newspapers. ", year, she gave me an even brighter pink cutting and it was even more beautiful! Another trick to getting Christmas cactus to bloom is pruning. With the proper preparation and pruning technique, you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of your Christmas cactus plant. 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. Can I save a Christmas (Thanksgiving) cactus with some split brown stems - apparently root rot? Pruning a Christmas Cactus helps it become a full bushy plant and produce more blooms during the holiday season. Christmas cactus is a jungle cactus that prefers humidity and moisture, unlike its standard cactus cousins, which require a warm, arid climate. 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. Just twist or cut one or several of the segments off the ends of each of the stems. I also feed it once in spring. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. When handling sharp garden tools, wear gloves and be careful not to cut yourself. I did all my research. Pruning your Christmas cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus will make it branch out, and grow … If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus is possible, the answer is yes, and this article will help. The best time to do it is after flowering and it is very easy. References Why Prune Christmas Cactus? Jan 14, 2020 - How to Prune a Christmas Cactus. Pruning & Re-potting – Christmas Cactus Care. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. More. Do not over prune at … I'm scared. You can prune your Christmas cactus, but it is best to do after blooming and no later than spring time. Dec 16, 2012 - It is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. A winter-bloomer, Christmas cactus displays flowers in shades of red, lavender, rose, purple, white, peach, cream and orange, depending on the variety. So, my repotting process was a bit more detailed than yours will most likely be. Here is a simple guide on how to care for Christmas Cactus during its blooming period and longterm as well. Because of the unique stems, pruning a Christmas cactus is perhaps one of the easiest pruning jobs there is. Place healthy cutting into moist potting soil to … Christmas cactus, a hybrid plant and member of the cactus family, is known for blooming during the holiday season here in the northern hemisphere. Where should I cut it? You can prune your Christmas cactus, but it is best to do after blooming and no later than spring time. The simplest method is to take cuttings from healthy foliage. If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus … Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long-lasting, attractive succulents. Dissolve about 10 drops of the fertilizer in 1 quart of water. If you wonder whether pruning a Christmas cactus is possible, the answer is yes, and this article will help. Named after the time of year that they bloom in the Northern Hemisphere, Christmas cactus plants are beautiful and easy to maintain in the right conditions. With a little TLC, this winter plant will flower again and again. Test the soil to see if it needs watering. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. "I tried the tips here and now my Christmas cactus is huge and blooms every year. 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. A Christmas cactus can be beautiful all year with the right care and watering. Just twist the segments with your fingers to break them off. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you are not able to do your Christmas cactus pruning right after it blooms, you can prune the plant any time from after it blooms until late spring without doing harm to the Christmas cactus plant. Feed from after blooming until fall with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. While this is lovely to see, it can create problems for a homeowner with limited space. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. At this time, an owner may wonder if pruning a Christmas cactus is possible and exactly how to trim a Christmas cactus. Because Christmas cactus plants are so easy to care for, it is not uncommon for a Christmas cactus to eventually grow to a monstrous size. Prune plants back a bit in the spring to help keep their shape and form. If one part of the plant is healthy, you can use a leaf to propagate a new plant. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It is always ready to grace the living room once its blooms begin showing. wikiHow's. Which branches should be cut? Schlumbergera require little or no pruning, but they can get a bit leggy and old plants can become congested. Christmas Cactus, aka Holiday Cactus, is the one for you. They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. The pics were very helpful in showing, "Super helpful instructions on how to grow new plants from pruned leaves!". By whitelisting wikiHow on your plant can be beautiful all year with proper... Last Updated: November 25, 2020 References Approved a new plant also use leaf... Consider supporting our work with a complete soluble cactus fertilizer, such a., Holiday ) are long-lasting, attractive houseplant that can live for Christmas. Have a 55+ year old Christmas cactus that brightens the environment with gorgeous, and. 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