How often should you prune these and how much? I had one get so top heavy this winter that it broke at the base. I have never pruned mine except to take cuttings for new plants. Also, what causes it to turn purpilish? I noticed in some of the pics people have posted (which all are beautiful) the plant is almost all "red". All of mine but one flower hot pink in color the other is a white one. I love these as not much else is blooming in the winter.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Patricia
pruning Christmas Cactus
I prune mine very heavily. I usually prune after flowering but before the new big flush of growth. Anything that isn't a double branch gets lopped back, so everything branches twice. Plus any major branches that are extending too far out of the plant's average overall shape. Also any leaves that are drooping heavily; lower branches are pruned even more critically this way. Then, into the growing season, when the new leaves are about half high, I prune again with the doubles only rule. This gives the plant time (& encouragement) to send out a new pair of leaves where you just took one & still have it plenty mature for blooming time.
Once you get the big upright shape like this, then you can choose to let it all spill over the edge for a bigger display.
This is only one possible way of pruning, most people don't attempt to get them upright like this.
The red leaf coloration is the plant getting maxed out on sun. Fastest overall growth to me seems like green leaves with red edges. Fully green leaves means you could tolerate more sun & get faster growth. This was this plant's second bloom last year.
This message was edited Apr 4, 2006 9:32 PM
Thanks for the info! I had no idea I could prune that much. Looking at your picture, the base is much stronger/thicker than any of mine. I will assume that has to do with the pruning. I will be doing that today. Hopefully, this will strengthen them quite a bit. It sounds like I need to move mine into a little more shadier spot. Will do that also. Thanks again grrrnthumb. DG's is an awsome place!
Patrica
Never even occurred to me to prune my Xmas cactus! And I have one that is almost a yard across! Woudn't touch it! but I do have several that are sort of lopsided so now I guess I will prune them and get them in better shape! After they finish flowering!
Hmmm....I'm feeling foolish myself. I've had my Grandmother's CC since she passed 12 years ago - never have pruned it except to give cuttings away. It has nice strong woody "trunks" so it supports the rest well. Now I'm gonna have to go look it over.
This message was edited Apr 6, 2006 8:15 AM
Oh, good info! Thanks. And ..uhm.....I'm assuming one can use the 'pruned cuttings' for new starts, right? Just pop them in the soil and they'll sprout?
Betsy
Yes Betsy - take 3-4 single segments together and put them in potting soil. I find they are quite slow to root - I do have a tendancy to put too long segements in though!
This message was edited Apr 6, 2006 7:47 AM