topic Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS in Garden

CHRISTMAS CACTUS

kismet — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 06:04:32 GMT

I'm undecided how large a pot should be for a christmas cactus. I have two that I want to put in one larger pot. One is about 12" high and just as wide, I transplanted this into a 6" pot 2 years from a 4". I used african violet soil and it has taken off like crazy. The other I got last year and it's about 6" high and 6"inches across. I have to buy a new pot and not sure how large I should go. I read you have to repot them every few years. I did find a pot I love in an 8" and a 9.25". Not sure which to get since I usuallly am more of an outside planter. Don't get a lot of light because of evergreen trees but my north windows get the most light and it has done very well there.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Sookie Says — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 06:16:10 GMT

I love the Christmas Cactus plant, think they're just lovely. My problem is, I can grow nearly any/every type of plant, but not this one, sad to say! Major kudos to you & your's, they sound beautiful! Happy that you can get these pretty little guys to grow!

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Kachina624 — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 06:57:00 GMT

I find that they do best and bloom if kept in a pot that seems too small. They like to be kept on the dry side and will rot if over-watered.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

gardenman — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 12:38:47 GMT

@kismet wrote:
I'm undecided how large a pot should be for a christmas cactus. I have two that I want to put in one larger pot. One is about 12" high and just as wide, I transplanted this into a 6" pot 2 years from a 4". I used african violet soil and it has taken off like crazy. The other I got last year and it's about 6" high and 6"inches across. I have to buy a new pot and not sure how large I should go. I read you have to repot them every few years. I did find a pot I love in an 8" and a 9.25". Not sure which to get since I usuallly am more of an outside planter. Don't get a lot of light because of evergreen trees but my north windows get the most light and it has done very well there.

I would probably go with the larger pot since the one is already in a six inch pot. You may to do a bit of squishing even then to get them both into the pot. I tend to overpot my plants and they grow to fill the space.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Perkup — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 12:52:12 GMT

Keep in mind that the plant will grow - I have several, the largest of which is at least four feet in diamater and covered with blooms. It began with a 99 cent plant from a local grocery, and it's been with me for about 20 years. The roots are smaller, so I keep it in a pot that might be too small for most plants. I water it about once a week and feed it twice a year. It has to come into the garage in the freezing nights we've had lately, although people tell me that it wouldn't freeze. Not taking any chances. In full bloom it is a rare treasure. Neighbors come in to see it and take pictures. Enjoy your plants.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

JustJazzmom — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 20:11:17 GMT

The rule is repot to a larger pot no more than an 1” wider in diameter from the previous pot. If it’s put into too large a pot, it could get overwatered.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

RedTop — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 21:23:30 GMT

The cactus I own was started from the one my paternal grandmother owned when she died nearly 50 years ago. It is bushel basket size, and has not been repotted for 10-15 years. From October to June it is in my basement, and from June to October it is in the corner of my front porch. It blooms after Thanksgiving every year.

I refuse to do anything else to it other than maintain the same schedule I’ve stuck to for many years. My cactus leaves are healthy and green, it blooms heartily, and therefore it is a happy plant. I will not risk killing this plant with repotting just because it has outgrown the pot.

Everyone I know overwaters their Christmas cactus.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

kismet — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 06:03:18 GMT

I wouldn't repot these if they were together in the same pot but wanted them together. I check the water on the same day every week. It works and keeps the greenery nice and firm. Since the heat has been on I have to check it sooner but it's still good. I can't put it outside where I live cause even if we have warm days we get cold nights. It's been in the 20's here for some time so would never put it outside. I have seen a lot of larger ones on Offerup and at a good price but I enjoy seeing it grow from small to large. I've debated on putting it in a plastic pot vs. a ceramic pot. Ceramic will be heavier but I think it will look prettier in it. Pennington has some pretty ceramic pots.

I've seen the yellow cactus and thought they were very pretty but can't find them in this area.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

gardenman — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 13:53:34 GMT

@JustJazzmom wrote:
The rule is repot to a larger pot no more than an 1” wider in diameter from the previous pot. If it’s put into too large a pot, it could get overwatered.

It gets more challenging when you're potting two separate plants, each already in their own pot, into one pot, which is what the OP is doing. One's already in a six inch pot so to just repot that would likely need a jump to an eight inch pot, then adding a second plant takes a bit more room. The last time she repotted she used African Violet soil which is very well draining so overwatering is less of an issue.

I tend to prefer to go large when it comes to combining plants in one pot so there's less competition between the plants. Each plant will want its own turf (so to speak) and sometimes that can get messy with them competing against one another for nutrients and moisture. The bigger plant tends to win those fights.

We know one plant is already in a six inch pot, and we don't know how big a pot the second plant is in, but Christmas cacti typically retail in four inch pots, so a six inch pot and a four inch pot combined are going to be about ten inches which is why I said they may have to be a bit squished even in her larger sized pot. There will be excess growing room to the sides of the two plants, but they'll quickly fill that in with roots.

If I was potting up two Christmas cacti myself (one in a six inch pot and one in a four inch pot,) I would probably use a twelve inch hanging basket and I dare say the plants would do fine. I might even try to wriggle in a third one in that case. But with just two plants and a limited selection of planters, I'd go with the larger pot.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

Sookie Says — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 00:41:43 GMT

Thank you so much for the tips, never knew that. I bet you have the greenest of thumbs, Kachina624! New Mexico is beautiful, lucky you! Have a wonderful new year & thx for your kind & helpful reply!

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

EatWell — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 08:21:04 GMT

@kismet

What color are the flowers?

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

EatWell — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 08:17:44 GMT

@kismet wrote:
I'm undecided how large a pot should be for a christmas cactus. I have two that I want to put in one larger pot. One is about 12" high and just as wide, I transplanted this into a 6" pot 2 years from a 4". I used african violet soil and it has taken off like crazy. The other I got last year and it's about 6" high and 6"inches across. I have to buy a new pot and not sure how large I should go. I read you have to repot them every few years. I did find a pot I love in an 8" and a 9.25". Not sure which to get since I usuallly am more of an outside planter. Don't get a lot of light because of evergreen trees but my north windows get the most light and it has done very well there.

I would not recommend transplanting two Christmas cactus in one pot. They would be happier in their own separate pots.

Good luck.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

sabatini — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 20:12:10 GMT

I moved across the country a few years ago, and the ONE thing that I fretted over, was having to leave my massive Christmas cactus behind.

My mom had given me a small cutting from her plant, and after 20 years, it was balanced atop a pedestal which was set on top of a table, in order to accommodate the branches which still grazed the floor.

I did NOTHING to that plant but repot it once in awhile. It survived and flourished through benign neglect! Haha!

My advice would be to repot it into a large, but lightweight pot. Once those branches get woody, they can be fragile and easy to break off during the potting process.

A lightweight pot is easier to deal with than wrangling a heavy one.

BTW, I've no idea if this is true, but a woman once told me that for some reason, the very old Christmas cactuses grow the biggest.

I tend to believe that.

When my mom, born in 1921, was young mom, she'd gotten her cutting from a woman who'd received her cutting from an elderly grandmother, who'd received hers from her grandmother..

So, this Christmas cactus has been going strong since the early 1800s!

I took a cutting when I left, and so did my kids.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

mustang66lady — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 05:09:12 GMT

wrote:
Keep in mind that the plant will grow - I have several, the largest of which is at least four feet in diamater and covered with blooms. It began with a 99 cent plant from a local grocery, and it's been with me for about 20 years. The roots are smaller, so I keep it in a pot that might be too small for most plants. I water it about once a week and feed it twice a year. It has to come into the garage in the freezing nights we've had lately, although people tell me that it wouldn't freeze. Not taking any chances. In full bloom it is a rare treasure. Neighbors come in to see it and take pictures. Enjoy your plants.

@Perkup

I have two Christmas catus and one piece remaining of a third. Would you share what you feed your plants and when you do it? I live in IL, not far from St. Louis. I know I cannot leave mine outside at this time of year, but would you care to share where you place yours outside-in shade, partial sun, etc?

Thank you for your help.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

HLP — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:00:20 GMT

They come in 4 colors Red, Pink, yellow and white. I live in WV, put them out, pot and all in May,just set them by the house, not in the ground,when it get chilly, close to freezing I bring them in and they start blooming imediately. I always keep them in a 6 inch pot, have never repotted them. Have had them for years. They don't need much care, they are a form of cacti, so be sparing with the water.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

ptagirl — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:57:23 GMT

I, myself, wouldn't plant two cacti in one pot. ..I think there would be too much competition for moisture and nutrients..

I've had a x-mas cactus for many years..it was a slip off my mom's plant....It has grown to a large size...I keep it in an East window...but North window is good, too...as they cannot stand harsh sunlight...

In addition, I would not go to a light-weight pot (unless it is not tapered)...as they tend to get really big and are quite top-heavy and could tip over with the slightest touch..this would cause breakage.. had that happen to me..so now my plant is in a heavy pot.

Even though the pot is heavy, you don't really tend to move them about that often, as they usually don't like to be moved, at least that is what I've had experience with..

When transplanting, I would only go 1-2 inches larger than the pot it's in, as they like to be a little root-bound..and I would continue to use the violet soil, as it causes increased drainage...

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

jannabelle1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:05:45 GMT

Your one 6" plant is small, but I'm not sure why you want to combine two plants into one pot. JMO, but it would seem like the larger cactus would dominate the smaller one, and the smaller one might end up in a pot too big for it's size. I'd keep them in separate pots, but that's just me. I've had some of my Christmas cactus in the same pots for years - only one of them really needs to be repotted this year because the soil is getting compacted. They seem to do better when they're not disturbed much. I live in the Midwest and put them outdoors in the shade every summer - they seem to thrive in the heat and humidity and always bloom after a month or so when I bring them inside when the weather gets too cool at the end of September or early October. I don't think they're fussy plants - they just don't like to be messed with, and that includes frequent repotting and over watering!

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

jannabelle1 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 02:23:18 GMT

@mustang66lady, I'm in the St. Louis area and have three Christmas cactus that bloom profusely when I bring them inside in the fall. I put them outdoors in the SHADE in early May when I know it won't get below 55 - 60 degrees at night. Water once a week. When I bring them inside in early October, I put them in a somewhat sunny room over winter and only water them when they're dry.

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

mustang66lady — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 02:26:17 GMT

@jannabelle1wrote:
@mustang66lady, I'm in the St. Louis area and have three Christmas cactus that bloom profusely when I bring them inside in the fall. I put them outdoors in the SHADE in early May when I know it won't get below 55 - 60 degrees at night. Water once a week. When I bring them inside in early October, I put them in a somewhat sunny room over winter and only water them when they're dry.

Nice to meet you @jannabelle1!

I am mostly a "lurker" on the Garden thread as these ladies know so much more than I. I love learning from them!

Thank you for your input. I love Christmas cactus and had never been around one or owned one before 3 years ago. Do you fertilize your plants and if so, what do you use? I purchased mine at the grocery store so not much help as far as how to handle these sweet plants. I am easily distracted by shiny objects-these won my heart but I need to know more about how to care for them. Living in the same basic area, you know the "weather" here. Thank you for responding to my questions!

Re: CHRISTMAS CACTUS

JustJazzmom — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 18:52:43 GMT

@mustang66lady; you can fertilize the Christmas cactus when they are in bloom with a weekly weak solution of liquid plant food. When you water it weekly, add a few drops to the water.

Hold off on fertilizing when not in bloom. The blooms last a long time on that plant.