Christmas Cactus Root Bound

Roots growing through the drainage hole or swirling over the surface of the potting mix indicate that christmas cactus is pot bound.

Christmas cactus root bound. If that is the problem place plant into a. Although christmas cactus likes moisture it will soon rot if the roots are deprived of air. So repotting a root bound plant like this means that although the plant will grow plenty of leaves it will never produce the flowers that the plant is valued for. Some cactus plants have only one stem and cannot be divided.

Hold the christmas cactus in the new pot with the base of the stems even with the top of the pot. 12 posts 16 comments march 19 2012 0 found this helpful. Rootbound means the plant has grown too big for its container. In other cases like with the peace lily or christmas cactus the root bound houseplants will not produce blooms unless they are under some kind of stress.

From spokane valley wa. Be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Repot christmas cactus into a pot only slightly larger than the current container. Often the roots are so tightly packed that water runs straight.

Allow cactus to get slightly dry remove from pot. How do i separate a christmas cactus that is root bound. Shifting to a slightly larger pot may be necessary every three years or so. As a christmas cactus caregiver it s important to remember that christmas cacti grow best when their roots are a little crowded.

The christmas and thanksgiving cactus may re bloom again for you in the spring but not as profusely as holiday time bloom. The plants seem to do the best when root bound. By marie g w. If your christmas cactus looks stressed or if root mats form at the pot s bottom and sides it s time for a move.

If you ve repotted your cactus recently you may also want to hold off on repotting. If your christmas cactus still has plenty of room to expand in its current container it may be best to wait a bit until you repot. If you want to encourage spring time blooms simply return the plant to its short day conditions.