How to Take a Cutting From a Christmas Cactus

A Christmas cactus, sometimes known as an orchid cactus, flowers in early winter, inspiring its name. The tropical succulent usually blooms once or twice a year with vibrant flowers in pink, red, fuchsia and purple, among other colors. The cactus is comprised of a series of phylloclades, the green segments that look like leaves and from which the blooms grow. Christmas cacti generally respond well to propagating, the term for taking a cutting from the plant. Doing so involves removing several phylloclades and replanting them.

Plant pot, 4 to 6 inches wide
Peat moss soil
Sand or perlite soil
All-purpose potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Examine your Christmas cactus to find the healthiest looking branch, or more if you plan on multiple cuttings.
- 2
  Position your fingers at the joint of the third or fourth phylloclade from the top and twist until the segments break free.
- 3
  Set the cuttings aside inside to dry out for 24 hours. Do not expose them to direct sunlight during this time.
- 4
  Prepare the new pot with a soil mixture that is half peat moss and half sand or perlite soil. The goal is to create a well-draining soil, which Christmas cacti need to flourish.
- 5
  Lightly water the soil until it is just moist, not wet.
- 6
  Stick the cutting into the soil until the bottom phylloclade is under the surface.
- 7
  Position the plant where it will get indirect sunlight, and keep the soil moist, but never wet. Be prepared for the cutting to shrivel up, as if it has died. This is normal and not a sign of failure.
- 8
  Check the cutting for signs of new growth after two to three weeks. This signals that roots have formed and the propagating is successful. Repot the plant with loose, well-draining, all-purpose potting soil. Care for the plant as you would any Christmas cactus.

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