HOUSEPLANT REPOTTING: CHRISTMAS CACTUS/ JoyUsGarden

Christmas Cactus (Thanksgiving, Holiday) are long lasting, attractive succulents. Here's what you need to know about repotting Christmas Cactus including when & how to do it along with the best soil mix to use.
SOIL MIX ALTERNATIVES ARE IN THE POST BELOW.
CHECK OUT THE POST FOR INFO ON REPOTTING CHRISTMAS CACTUS: www.joyusgarden.com/houseplan...
THE JOY US GARDEN BLOG: www.joyusgarden.com
THE JOY US GARDEN AMAZON SHOP: www.amazon.com/shop/jugarden
Sign Up For Our BI MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: www.joyusgarden.com/newsletter/
KEEP YOUR HOUSEPLANTS ALIVE : amzn.to/2sErxdf
MY GO TO PRUNERS (which I've Used For Over 30 Years): amzn.to/2K6GGNn
MY GO TO POTTING SOIL: amzn.to/2GF3TqD
RECIPE FOR DIY SUCCULENT & CACTUS MIX: www.joyusgarden.com/succulent...
DETAILS ON CARING FOR A CHRISTMAS CACTUS: www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-gr...
JOY US GARDEN SUCCULENTS CATEGORY: www.joyusgarden.com/category/...
JOY US GARDEN HOUSEPLANTS CATEGORY: www.joyusgarden.com/category/...
JOY US GARDEN REPOTTING CATEGORY: www.joyusgarden.com/categorie...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY BUSINESS: JOY US GARDEN
This is where I share all things gardening & creating. Let's get out in the garden & make the world a beautiful place!
YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT AT: www.joyusgarden.com
SOCIAL MEDIA MADNESS
Connect With Me At:
Pinterest: / joyusgarden
Facebook: / joyusgarden
Twitter: / joyusgarden
Instagram: / joyusgarden
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This video isn't sponsored & all opinions are mine. This video & post contain affiliate links, which simply means I earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Joy Us garden!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is all about repotting Christmas Cactus including how & when to do it, & the best soil mix to use.
Christmas Cactus, although lovely when blooming, are not only for the holidays. They’re attractive, long-lasting succulent houseplants. I love the foliage & the weeping form they grow into over time. The soil mine was planted in was pulling away from the sides of the grow pot & just looked old.
First off, let’s get a bit technical for those of you who geek out on all things plant like me. The Christmas Cacti that you see here & in the post are actually Thanksgiving (or Crab) Cactus. They were labeled as a CC when I bought it & that’s how they’re commonly sold in the trade. Now days you may see them labeled as Holiday Cactus. Regardless of which one you have, you repot these epiphytic cacti in the same manner.
CHECK OUT THE POST FOR INFO ON REPOTTING CHRISTMAS CACTUS: www.joyusgarden.com/houseplan...

[@judy-kp7oi]

I was given a cutting from a cherished family Christmas cactus...pink ... the plant had been shared by many generations ... over 170-180 yrs was the best guess... it was a small cutting ... wilted and dying...planted in a old cracked teacup... of which i still have too!! Iv have babied and cherished it ... when i moved it slong with my mommas very old snake plant rode in the frt seat of my car!!! Lol !... ...the momma plant has been shared with many friends and family... i love when it blooms ... the last two yrs it has bloomed on Christmas day almost to the minute!!! Had to share with u...as well as thank u for sharing ur love of plants with those of us who love them too!! No on to one of ur succulents videos... i got a basket full for mothers day and am planning to share them! Lol🤗🌺🌸🌼🌻🌼🌸!! Blessings!

[@chritels1246]

If the "tight tight tight" was a tuco refference you are officially my favorite person on the internet

[@barbaraalicecosten4132]

Good info for me. Made me realize how to repot my cactus Thanks BAC

[@deeeley2241]

Thank you for sharing video with us. Good information👍😊

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you for the wonderful video. I really appreciate it. Thank you for showing the plants 3 weeks after they have been re-potted.

[@Emily-xh1pg]

Thanks for the information! I have an Easter, Christmas and a thanksgiving cactus and did not know they were epiphytes! I just repotted my thanksgiving cactus two months ago in all succulent/cactus mix and it doesn’t seem to be doing bad but I’ll probably take it out and mix the soil with some bark.

[@JoyUsGarden]

Hi Emily - Oh yes they are! They grow in shady, humid forests; not the desert. All succulent & cactus mix will be fine as long as it's well aerated. They love bark or coco chips though! Nell

[@desertplantsofavalon]

Such a FANTASTIC video Nell

[@JoyUsGarden]

Hi there Lyn! My Christmas Cactus looks so much happier now that it's been repotted. We'll see how it handles the summer heat here. Hugs to you in the Emerald Isle from the Sonoran Desert!!! xxxooo Nell

[@houseplants1684]

One of my favorite videos of yours

[@branditingley673]

I dropped my 20 yo cc about 6 months ago. We're both in morning. I used this video to face starting over with her babies.

[@branditingley673]

She used to bloom at least 2 x per year.

[@gerardshorticultureculture7579]

Great Information I just got one and its doing well. Thanks for the tips

[@JoyUsGarden]

You're very welcome Gerard. Here's a care video for you: www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-grow-christmas-cactus/ Nell

[@ronr8591]

she is very immature and a poor speaker.

[@hpeteacher9445]

Hi Nell! How are you? Nice job "fixing" your plant. I repotted my Thanksgiving Cactus today too. We have the same Fiscar clippers. Love them! I have the larger one too. Happy Spring! Gerry 😎

[@JoyUsGarden]

Hi Gerry - I'm doing just fine. Catching up on projects in my garden before it gets too hot here in Tucson. Love my Fiskar floral nips & use the A LOT. Enjoy your weekend! Nell

[@hpeteacher9445]

@@JoyUsGarden 😎

[@maribootz2534]

“This is war, pack rats!” 😂. Thanks for this video. Great info as always Nell! I’m in Phoenix. I recently found a very petite schlumbergera on clearance at Lowe’s. I have never seen one before. It’s a large plant but every section (leaf?) is small. Can’t wait to see it bloom! Have you seen one?

[@JoyUsGarden]

Thank you Mari! And greetings from your "neighbor" in Tucson. Yes, I've seen them but never have grown one. The color will be a nice surprise! Nell

[@anthonylewis62]

Suzanne here, i use miracle grow soil, half and the other half bark mix, it works, great, but my orchids are in water, i only grow those in water , works much better for me, they grow so much faster, oml when i saw you cut that, i almost had a hemmorage haha

[@marlenek3889]

Thanks Nell for the informative video.. I have a question - I live in Northern Az and the tips of my Christmas cactus are looking a reddish color.. Is this normal or is there something wrong with the plant??

[@magspies]

Love that you don't use peat moss! Nice video, thanks!

[@JoyUsGarden]

No I don't! Coco coir is a sustainable & fitting alternative. And thank you! Nell

[@Brichanise.Nicole]

Thx u God bless

[@lianadean923]

Could I add egg shells to the soil?

[@TheQueensWish]

I have an older one with corky brown stems. Do you have any advice for these older ones?

[@christerengstrom8531]

where do you keep your Christmas Cactus before blooming its need cooler temperature about 55-60 F (12-15 C).minimum one month and your climate is hot all the time

[@roxanefeinstein8828]

i got one as a gift but its super tall..will it fall over and be ok or do i need to find a tall pot and repot it?its about 6 inches tall right now

[@MissionaryHerny]

My Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus have not bloomed yet what can I do to make it bloom it's 12-26-19

[@Mtkrvi06]

Do these do better underpotted? I have one in a 6” hanging pot...it’s pretty full but isn’t huge. I want to repot it into a 10” hanging basket I purchased but I don’t want to cause it to stress from too much room? Make sense? I have a hard time finding smaller hanging planters without having to sell my soul for one...and I need that 6l pot for a smaller plant lol. Do I sound cheap 🤦‍♀️. I got a few coconut husk metal baskets and thought it might be happy in one. Thoughts? Too large a move or no?

[@karengroeniger4427]

Can you just plant the entire pot with succulent potting mix?

[@ellenhaben1217]

Do Christmas cactus like to be root bownd?

[@silviamaria1000]

I just got a Christmas cactus and want to depot it . I heard that in this time of the year is not good to have them repot but wait for spring . I’m in Texas and like today , Dec 1 , the temperature is in the 70’s. Is it ok to repot it in a clay pot ?

[@SandraSanchezRolon]

I inherited my Mom's Thanksgiving cactus after her passing 3 yrs ago, bloomed one little flower the last 2 yrs. This year, I decided to invest some time to research how to care and get a Holiday Cactus to bloom ... I put it in a smaller pot, previous pot was to wide and open, nourished it and a couple of days ago, it finished it dark period. I see tiny roots at the tips, hopefully it'll start flourishing by Thanksgiving. Is there any other advice you can provide?...for this novice retired Military woman who's still learning how to domesticate herself with houseplant gardening.

[@leisacundy893]

Hey at least the pack rats left something for Joy. The squirrels completely ate mine. So now holiday cacti only go outside in hanging baskets.

[@deeyardo4850]

I have a very old zygo/christmas cactus. A large stem which is quite woody at the base has broken off at the soil with no root ball. What is the process to get it growing again. Will I just stick it back in the soil and hope it roots or put in water for it to start to root. It is half an inch thick at base and woody. Should I cut it back to softer wood?

[@anthonylewis62]

put it in water to root but only after you allow it to heal over for a couple days, and only root the very tips, dont attempt it in soil, it would only rot

[@anthonylewis62]

i used to use bark but i quit doing it,becaues it did not give them enough nutrition so i went back to miracle grow soil, and water less, and twice a year i give them osmocote and egg shells,

[@sandyalmand864]

Thanks for the help! What is a pack rat?

[@sandyperchez5571]

I was wondering the same thing! 😄

[@joeygirl314]

@Sandy Almand (and @Sandy Perchez) - I wondered, too, but reading through the comments - I believe “pack rats” are squirrels 🐿 and other critters that would get to outdoor plants and “forage” for supplies (thereby nearly, or actually, destroying them) 😊

[@sandyperchez5571]

@@joeygirl314 thx so much!

[@joeygirl314]

@Sandy Perchez - Merry Christmas!!🎄 Hope your plants thrive for many seasons to come😁👍🏼 Cheers!❤️

[@sandyperchez5571]

@@joeygirl314 Aww..thk u & u as well 😊 Cheers to u & Merry Christmas!! 💚

[@daleandrews3552]

Hi Nell, It's Dale Andrews from Lake Charles, LA. I'm fortunate enough to have a patio where I live and the Christmas cactus I got from my sister is still in the nursery pot. It's summertime everywhere and I've been watching videos about these and how to repot. Looks pretty straightforward to me. The only real difference is that I'll be using Ferti.Lome brand cactus and succulent mix with maybe a little added perlite for added drainage. I didn't know it didn't like direct sun and I've had it where it get morning 'till noon direct and shade from the porch the rest of the day. Maybe I should move it further in toward the building, so it only gets the very early morning rays and will be shaded for 3/4 of the day. Do you think succulent mix with say 1/4 added perlite will be OK for the soil? I think so, since whatever nutrients it gets from those tree crevasses is probably even less nutritious. Enjoy your channel and I've subscribed. Happy growing! 🪴

[@murphyslawd]

My Easter Cactus is dropping it’s blooms they have bloomed out. Why does happen. What do I do?

[@JoyUsGarden]

Hi - I find Easter Cactus "fussier" to grow than TC or CC. Here's a post I did: www.joyusgarden.com/easter-cactus-growing-tips/ Nell

[@murphyslawd]

Your article is great but it still doesn’t address the problem of my blooms dropping before they open. Help!!

[@iddybiddyladybugleeza262]

I didn’t know that they needed a mix like bromeliads 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️💚🌿 thank you Glad you saved your plant before the pack rats killed it 👋🏼

[@JoyUsGarden]

Yes, CC are epiphytic plants just like bromeliads & orchids. It sits on 1 of the tables on my side patio so hopefully the pack rats will stay away from it. They completely devoured 1 of my small cacti! Nell

[@anthonylewis62]

they sure do, all mine go in orchid bark and mix, it is amazing how well they do

[@elenagorba9096]

@@anthonylewis62 I got to know it for the first time- thank you! I have a lot of unused orchid bark - so will use some..🙂

[@sandymorrow7477]

I noticed you didn't water the christmas cactus after you repotted it.

[@freelyashley2874]

Help! My Christmas cactus is drooping and wont take in water. The soil is rock solid. I inherited this plant from my family at a quarter auction so it's been in the family for years. It's very big and is in medium to small size pot. Do they like to be in a spacious area or crowded? The former owner was fertalizing every couple weeks and I haven't been. Should I repot? I'm scared I will kill it

[@TheQueensWish]

Same

[@nancyfarmer1269]

❤

[@JoyUsGarden]

Heart back! Nell

[@anthonylewis62]

Suzanne here again, oh yeah, mice love tc and cc its their fav plant to chew on, ugh

[@vincenzacacciatore8676]

I live in Montreal,Quebec. I keep my Christmas Cactus in door, now it’s November and the weather it’s going to go down and down. For example today it’s -1!!! But inside , I heat the house at 20 centigrade. When is the best time to replant, cuz I have had this plant for many years... it’s now a humongous plant! Looking forward for your reply.

[@Kimguzman19]

Is it okay to report while my cactus is in bloom? It’s looking very weak but it’s producing buds and 2 flowers so far.

[@richards5843]

It is best to wait till blooming is done then re pot . Good Luck!

[@Kimguzman19]

Richard Stromberg thank you!!!

[@christinavonheidenstam3206]

how much water to it

[@JoyUsGarden]

It depends on your climate Christina. Here's a care post I did: www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-grow-christmas-cactus/ Nell

[@christinavonheidenstam3206]

my climate is not hot as yours are i live in sweden

[@mardel3]

Sorry to hear about those vermins getting to your beautiful Christmas cactus.... With your knowledge and care it's gonna be full and luscious again.

[@JoyUsGarden]

They're crazy! Even my cacti, yucca & dyckia have been gnawed on. My CC is doing great & putting out so much new growth. It loves being outdoors. Nell

[@janetanderson4272]

Nel needs to shorten post and get to point

[@donlussi2424]

I was looking up videos for Christmas cactus care and came across yours. Your plant is not a Christmas cactus, it is a Thanksgiving cactus. If you are to educate the people, please educate them with the correct facts. Thanks

[@gertieparsons6151]

PAINFUL TO WATCH!

[@michaelsavage9038]

Very educational, but please learn to present!!!!

[@anthonylewis62]

her vidoes are great and i love her perky sense of humor that is what makes her better than the rest!!!!!!

[@toxicfever2735]

You talk too much the useless stuff ; please get to the main points