Christmas Cactus

Blue Dragon

So my Christmas Cactus has just flowered again (avatar photo). Only two flowers though, but at least that's one more than I had over Christmas time. It seems a happy, healthy plant that gets watered regularly and at the minuet is getting fed once a week with a high quality plant/flower food.

I've never actually managed to get a Christmas Cactus to flower at all till now. Used to keep getting them as a kid, but they just died. Now I learn they were likely too cold in my bedroom.

I only got this plant last year and so I assume it's still quite young. Is there anything I can do to encourage more flowers for the coming blooming times? It is growing, lots of lovely pink new leaves.

I was planning on dividing it as well, seen as there seem to be about three separate plants in one little pot. But I learn not to do this right now and wait till spring again. I also read that this is a dangerous game and it may not survive the separation and re-pot. Is this true? It looks so cramped in it's cheap little plastic pot and I'm sure will start to topple at some point. Was going to transfer into something more 'proper'. Don't want to kill it though, especially with it flowering for me... I'd actually be quite upset : /

 

Dovefromabove

I would re-pot it now, and then when the weather warms up it can go outside in the sunshine (but not scorching) for the summer - keep the compost a bit on the dry side, and keep an eye out for snails - they love them.  Then in the autumn bring it in and put it on a warm light windowsill and wait. 

I wouldn't split it - it's probably got three little plants in the pot to produce a plant that is balanced all around.  splitting it would give you three lopsided plants.

Once you've re-potted it I'd stop feeding it for a while - the compost should have enough feed in it for a few months.

They're great to take cuttings from, so when it starts to get too big you can take some stems off and use them as cuttings - three to a pot, back to back so you get a well balanced pot

 

Blue Dragon

Thanks Dove, that's really helpful : )

What compost would you say to use? multi-purpose or something else? Added sand maybe?

My Mam would really love one and I said if I did split it I'd give her one of the three, but I'll have to grow on one for her from a leaf. Could I do that now? If so, do I use a new pink leaf, or an older green one?

Dovefromabove

Lots of good info here https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=840

Blue Dragon

Thanks for that, hadn't seen that one : )