Recover a Droopy Christmas Cactus. How to care for and save your succulent plant.

[@jannertfol]

I've been replanting all my Christmas and Easter Cacti in orchid substrate recently, and the difference that makes is amazing. The substrate mimics the way these cacti grow in the wild, up in trees, where they root in the debris collected there ...leaf mold, bark chippings, moss, etc. The plants LOVE having a loose planting medium. The best thing is, with orchid substrate, you can water the plants every day, and as long as they are in pots that drain, the soil will never get compacted or soggy.

[@emptythoughts3060]

So no spagnam?

[@mjperfume1523]

Where would I find this substrate?👋

[@houseplants_Keep_Me_Sane]

@@mjperfume1523Walmart

[@dlennington8187]

I had a terrible battle with fungus gnats. I covered the top soil with pea gravel and began to root water all my plants including the Christmas cactus. I applied the sticky things and used a hygrometer to measure the moisture. It has taken me 5 months to completely win this battle and it was worth the fight. Root watering takes longer but my plants are putting on extra growth faster than before and just look healthier.

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

I’m gonna repot then…your voice is reassuring and I get that we have to pay attention and nurture our plants. I found a repotting tarp on amazon. It keeps the mess away…you could repot on your bed if you wanted to…😆 hydroponics is great for getting more roots..i like that as well for certain Pothos of mine. 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽 Mia

[@lanawolf5681]

a tip that has worked for me is to sprinkle mosquito bits on the top of the soil. it keeps the fungus gnats from coming back. So far has worked wonderfully

[@frankw9836]

i bought some on eBay, which arrived today because i am infested with those Gnuts !!! its says to dilute in water ?? what is better ?

[@lanawolf5681]

@@frankw9836 I just put dry on soil and it gets diluted every time I water. I’ve read you can do either way so I just went the lazy way :-)

[@pete4693]

What a wonderful message along with the teaching. I'm growing cannabis and I am very slow to take it to the bloom phase only because I've been enjoying the process so much and just letting it all unfold. I began in February and they're just now beginning to bud, the pointers, I couldn't agree more with you about the need to reconnect with nature and to disconnect from chaos. Thank you so much for that reminder peace.

[@BelovedPlant]

Wow, Pete. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Wishing you all the best growing and enjoying the whole process.

[@plantguy9]

Had a Christmas cactus that looked sad. But when I transplanted it it perked up really well. Now its healthy.

[@lisachismar8225]

What kind of soil? TIA

[@plantguy9]

@@lisachismar8225 Regular potting soil.

[@barbarajustice9499]

This was a good video you gave good information can’t get over how good the plant bounced back thanks for sharing

[@GardengalAAA]

Great video. I have a very beautiful healthy thanksgiving cactus and I have a couple clearance rack rescues that are struggling. Same soil, same overall care. It perplexed me. But I will try some of your methods and hopefully they will recover. It’s all or nothing with these.

[@jrosnov]

I just loved watching your video about Christmas cactus and learned a lot,thanks for posting and also patience is a virtue,greetings from Maine,USA!

[@BelovedPlant]

Wow, you're welcome. Thank you for making my day, Janice! Such a nice comment.

[@carolynholcomb8105]

Thank you for all the information.

[@p0ln]

Thank you for a very well made, informative video. I became even more intrigued when you said your climate was Ireland, as is mine - then I noticed a local garden centre pot too, profound... I am a beginner gardener/sucullent hoarder, and your video plus your location is very inspiring to me, thanks again

[@BelovedPlant]

Hi Dan, where are you based? Beginner succulent hoarder. Oooh what a delicious journey you're embarking on 😂

[@p0ln]

@@BelovedPlant Thanks, it's a bit of a daunting journey when one knows as little as I. approx 2 miles from the garden centre, currently enjoying the beautiful morning sun. Are you reviewing Spring/Easter cactus? I have 2, about 4" tall, currently blooming- , they currently have a couple of pups on each, though you would laugh if you saw them- literally a deset of moisture. will change soil soon...when I learn more! Thanks again!

[@VXDChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX3WepyIYsuomZY

[@latoyaarceneaux6023]

Thanks for this video. My Easter cactus is in full bloom but the stems are floppy. I have gnat traps So I don’t think that’s the problem yet. But I will repot it since I just got it and the soils is probably not great.

[@duncanpage1556]

Love your Wisdom!

[@sn1fan]

Wow I'm going to repot mine this weekend! What do you use for your potting mix? I usually just get the cactus miracle grow but I wouldn't mind adding more to it to give my plants more nutrients.

[@carolbulmer8253]

Good advice! Thank you😊

[@kavi212]

I have one that’s been in water for years 😂 I actually like them like that

[@ellietobe]

These plants do like to be planted in soil that has good drainage. Perlite is good but there are alternatives if you do not like it. Coarse sand is helpful but maybe try adding some small pumice small small bark to help it to drain and dry much more quickly. Drainage materials come in different sizes and shapes but you may need to find a speciality store to find what you need. Etsy has a lot of what I tend to buy. We live rural so we have to shop online to find things. If you don’t like using drainage material just watering less is your only alternative. This is a jungle type of plant not a desert cactus but it does need better drainage. Just coarse sand usually is not enough. Your roots are rotting from being too wet for too long.

[@darleenmiller8427]

What kind of soil do you use? Do you sterilize you soil?

[@Dave-if5qj]

Have never seen my Christmas cactus turn red in the sunlight

[@caitlinvosloo9139]

Hahaha the plant is not trying to push your buttons... I love that!!! They are beautiful but can be such divas lol 🙂

[@BelovedPlant]

🤣

[@ruthnarendran8775]

What’s your soil mix for succulents please?

[@gailfriend8164]

How are you eat How are you waters them,? Aren't you supposed to water them from the bottom??

[@mjperfume1523]

I replanted my cactus to peat moss, will my plant grow in this soil? I had the plant growing in regular house soil, it did very well this summer with neglect. Now that I’m back in the house, it seems to be not doing very well😂

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

Question, what do you do? I found a large Christmas cactus. I have with a whole bunch of leaves on the ground around it. I’m going to try to rescue them video. A lady said to put them in half an inch of water in a small container and let them soak first which I think is what I’ll do, but I’m wondering what else I could do to rescue them or help them grow

[@allanis_the_great]

what is your soil mixture you use pls?

[@migdaliavoss4567]

What do you use for pest tape.

[@louisealley4703]

I would like to know why a perfectly healthy Christmas cactus, suddenly drops chunks of leaves. And I have transplanted in new soil etc. and the sections still go limp and drop off. Thanks Lou

[@elian68]

Soil is way too dense which makes it much easier to get rot. You need to mix in at least 50% perlite/pumice/orchid bark, that will keep it from staying too wet and rotting. Red thanksgiving cactus (which is what you have) is not at all normal. It is sunburnt, stressed or nutrition deficient if it is that color. The “fixed” plant in October is still not healthy as it has red lines over the vein which is definitely a nutrition issue. Schlumbergera are like orchids- epiphytic tropical plants that live in the understory of the rainforest- dappled sunlight- in the debris that collects in the crooks of trees. You need a loose medium that water drains through quickly.

[@frankw9836]

I saw a video mixing sugar with water and add a few garlic cloves , lets it stand for a few hours and give it to your Christmas cactus. ?? True ?

[@BelovedPlant]

Oh, I hadn't heard of this one. I don't know what it does, being honest. If it's only for a few hours, it probably wouldn't kill the plant, at least 🤞🏻

[@darleenmiller8427]

Hi. I was told that if the leaves were red it was getting too much sunlight. Is this not true?

[@BelovedPlant]

Yes, this is true. They prefer indirect light. Direct sun won't make them droopy though, they will only turn red. Keep them in indirect light and they will slowly go back to being green.

[@probochronicles3991]

I have a three year old cactus I'm really proud of, unfortunately it's looking really sick right now. I'm worried I did something wrong or that flies contaminated it. I do have two clippings growing separately that are looking well so I'm hoping the mother plant can be saved....

[@rustown1]

Do you have experience growing Spring Cactus? I heard they are hard to get them to rebloom.

[@BelovedPlant]

Hello, I only don't because I was never able to find one in my location :( However, community is a wonderful thing and there's a thread in one of my older videos where people are helping each other. Copying the comment for you: "randi ensign • 2 months ago Put it in complete darnkess for about 4 days. I put mine in a cupboard I dont open and it magically gave me new buds it was very cool"

[@elian68]

All Schlumbergera and Rhipsalidopsis need the regular light changes of the seasons and temp changes to flower. No putting in cupboards or closets.

[@rnilson1501]

How do u get them to turn red

[@BelovedPlant]

Hello, they will turn red is exposed to direct sun light. However, leave it in a spot where they won't get more than 2hours of direct sun light a day. These plants really will burn if left expose for many hours in the sun.

[@jimp4037]

I guess you quit doing videos. What a shame.

[@BelovedPlant]

Hi Jim, how are you? Thanks for your comment. I have this percentage of energy that just has to be put towards plants somehow :D . In 2022 I dedicated this time and will to producing plants instead of videos, but I've been recording, just haven't edited. Hopefully I will be able to put more time into producing for youtube this new year, as I find it so rewarding! Wishing you a Happy New Year!

[@jimp4037]

@@BelovedPlant I'm doing well thank you. I hope you are as well. Believe me, I totally understand our love of plants and time restraints. I feel you have a lot of knowledge in plant care and propagation. I love the videos you've made so far very much. I'm glad you're still into it. Wishing you a Happy New Year!

[@gayefanner731]

Thanku Jim for your comment, I was wondering how I could broach the subject as one never knows the life circumstances. I’m a newbie to this channel n would love more of this woman’s plant wisdom. Maybe she will do some editing this winter ; updates, new plants etc?! 🤞