Sad Christmas Cactus

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MissionVao Baltimore, MD Jun 16, 2015

Hey,

A while ago, I ordered two Christmas cactuses (each with three individual plants in one pot, and each plant had ~10 segments). One of them is doing fine. The other had some rot on one of the plants, and the other two plants looked okay. Now that one is really wilty. I took it out of the dirt (which wasn't overly moist), and looked at its roots. They're not in good condition. Is it too late to save it? There are little roots sticking out from some of the segments. If I cut it off up above any damaged segments, will it take root? Even if it's wilty?

Is there anything else I could do for it? I've been misting it instead of watering it to try to force back any rot while still hydrating the plant...

Any advice would be appreciated!

Post #10095407
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Pistil Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a) Jun 16, 2015

Yes it should take root just great-This is how we make more Christmas cacti! One caution- Christmas cacti may not want to be misted- generally even when the segments get a bit wrinkly they hydrate up just fine from the roots. Yours is already trying to root so it shouldn't take long for them to grow into the soil. I would get rid of the icky root part.
In general, when trying to make a new plant from a "cutting" like this, Christmas cacti are treated like other "succulent" plants. That is- after you pinch it and have the new piece, you leave in on the kitchen counter for maybe 5 days, so the moist broken off part dries off. This is to make a "callus" over the moist part, so it does not rot when put into the soil. In your case, the cactus is already trying to do this, and has make rootlets. These might dry up and die if left out on the counter. It would be nice to save them if possible as the plant will get to growing much faster. Here is what I would do- instead of putting it on the counter, or immersing the cut end in the soil, I would lay the new cutting on top of the soil but tuck the rootlets into the moist soil. They will be very motivated to grow down into the soil. Don't overwater, just do what you would normally do. Christmas cacti are not like a desert cactus, I have found they are like most houseplants-let the soil get a bit dry, then water before it gets really dry.

Post #10095423
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MissionVao Baltimore, MD Jun 16, 2015

Thank you! That's really helpful. What's the best way to get a good segment off? Should I cut just above or below a "joint" (the little rounded notch part)? Or try to break it at a joint?

Post #10095426
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Pistil Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a) Jun 16, 2015

at the joint is good, but don't worry about it, you can cut anywhere.

Post #10095536
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