How can I get my christmas cactus to branch out?

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raterus Rocky Mount, NC Aug 06, 2009

I propagated a Christmas cactus about a year ago from the mother plant. It has a single section going into the soil, then it branches into three sections and continues to grow.

My question though, on all the other Christmas cactuses I see, there are many branches coming out from the soil. Is this something I need to do through pruning (prune and plant right next to the base), or will the plant eventually spit out a new base branch?

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) Aug 06, 2009

Now that is a good question! I wonder if the ones you see are multiple ones grouped in a pot?
The one you have- I'd leave the single stem at the bottom alone but keep pinching the 3 sections to force them to develop into more sections. The bottom stem should grow thick and stout enough to support the plant.

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raterus Rocky Mount, NC Aug 07, 2009

Thanks for your reply! Can you clarify? Do you want me to just leave a single section, or the single section with three branches?

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) Aug 07, 2009

I'd leave the single section with the 3 branches, then pinch each branch as it gets long enough to encourage it to produce additional branches.

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Cerahipp Hobart, Australia Aug 18, 2009

When you cut off a bit - say 2 to 3 sections of stem (almost like leaves joined end on end. Plant the bits and they will take root slowly. Don't bury any part of the bits, just lay them on the soil and keep them quite dry. Roots should appear where the stem sections join. In a few months you should have more plants like the original one.

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