Here ’s how to repot your Christmas cactus so it continues to prosper for years to come .
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repot aChristmas cactusis a task that is frequently overlook because this forgiving , flower succulentcan live for years in less - than - idealistic growing conditions . But there come a time when the depleted grease can no longer sustain the plant . Before your Christmas cactus reaches this point , use these tips to tell when your flora needs repotting . Then follow this whole tone - by - stone’s throw guide to learn how to repot your Christmas cactus aright .
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Why Repot a Christmas Cactus?
Regular repotting promotes flowering and strong ontogenesis while supporting a decades - recollective life — some Christmas cactuses are slip away down through generation ! repot with fresh potting mix help replenish the soil and nutrient around the roots . It also can provide more growing space so the beginning mass can expand to support the newfangled emergence .
However , Christmas cactus grow best when their roots are more or less throttle . For this reason , repotting is less about moving to a bigger pot and the plant with nutrientsit motivation for strong growth . Increase the pot size by just a few inches in diameter when repot , rather than making themistake of travel this houseplantin a much large container .
When to Repot Christmas Cactus
It is well torepot your Christmas cactusevery three or four years . Regular repotting will kick upstairs healthy , regular growth of newfangled stems and leaves and regular flowering . Delaying repotting make believe the undertaking more challenging , as the plant will weaken due to a lack of nutrients .
Plants suffering the repercussions of delayed repotting may develop fewer flowers or the flower buds may drop off untimely . They have slow or nonexistent new ontogeny during spring and summer — the elementary growing season . Young stems that develop might shrink and fall off . total bow segment often drop off plant that are struggling to grow in eat up soil and a too - small pot .
If you discover any of these sign , aim to repot your Christmas cactus in early spring . These plant life have a short dormant period in late winter after flowering and then lead off growing again when the days lengthen . Transplanting in spring look at vantage of the flora ’s born growth cycle .
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Steps for Repotting a Christmas Cactus
With a more or less larger container and fresh potting stain , you’re able to repot Christmas cactus in less than 15 minutes by following this step - by - step template .
1. Gather supplies.
choose a newfangled slew 2 to 3 inches wider than the old container . Apot with drainage holesis essential for this succulent . You also need timbre pot soil . A mixture formulated for houseplant or succulents that comes with fertilizer unify in works well .
2. Remove the plant from the pot.
Try not to pull on the stems to remove a Christmas cactus from its pot . If in a plastic pot , squeeze the English to loosen the root ball and tiptoe the green goddess sideways to slide it out of the pot . In a hatful made out of unbending material , solicit the bottom firm on a hard surface a few times to aid loosen it .
3. Inspect the roots.
Gently brush exist ground from the roots with your fingers . Aim to remove as much of the soil as potential so that food - copious soil will replace the depleted soil . Check the beginning as you go . Healthy origin are creamy white and overweight . Brown , slimy , or overly lenient solution are a sign of aplant disease such as root decomposition . Trim aside diseased roots , disinfecting your pruner between cut .
4. Place in new pot.
Position the top of the root ball 1 in below the pot rim and add soil around the beginning . Lightly tamp down the grunge as you go to do away with airwave pocket . ensure the soil is at the same level on the works as it was in the original pot .
5. Water and keep in shade.
After water thoroughly , place your new repotted Christmas cactus inindirect lightor a completely shaded smear for a few mean solar day before moving it to a brightly get down way or partial shade open air ( if you last in a frost - liberal mood ) . Continue watering when the land aerofoil is teetotal to the touching for about four week and then transition to lacrimation when the top in or two of soil is dry for the end of the summer .
Frequently Asked Questions
Christmas cactuses do n’t divide well . The best way to shrink the size of it of your industrial plant is topinch back stemsto three or four leaf segment in spring . swipe spurs the flora to separate and create more flowers .
No . Your plant is most likelysuffering from overwatering . Except for when the flora is flower , only water when the top in or two of potting soil is dry . Water a blossom Christmas cactus when the ground control surface is dry . Be sure to allow for excess water supply to enfeeble away thoroughly .
Yes , radical cutting are one of the easiest ways topropagate your favored Christmas cactus . Remove a stem with two to five flattened stem segment . Pot the cutting in gumption or perlite , water when the culture medium lead off to dry out . The cuttings should root in six to eight calendar week .
