Leaves Are Falling Off a Christmas Cactus

Considerations

• A prolonged temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit encourages Christmas cactus flower development, but a sudden drop or rise in temperature will cause the plant's buds to drop. Keep Christmas cactus plants in an area that will be completely dark at night to maintain a cooler temperature that promotes blooming, and do not move the plants often. Another reason for bud drop is the soil being too damp or too dry. Keep the soil moist, but let it dry occasionally.

Care

• Grow your Christmas cactus in well-drained soil, and add a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Keep the plant on the moist side while it produces buds and flowers. Keep the soil slightly on the dry side for a month or two after the plant flowers. Let it dry out again in the fall before buds begin to form. Prune any sprawling parts of the cactus with a sharp knife after it flowers. Only repot the cactus if it is outgrowing its pot.

Types

• The Christmas cactus is a common plant to grow and give as gifts during the holidays, but there are other types of holiday cactus that are similar to Christmas cactus and also make good gifts. The true Christmas cactus (Schumbergera bridgesii) blooms from December to March, but the similar Easter cactus (Schumbergera gaertnerii) blooms between March and May, while the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) blooms in November and December.

Propagation

• Propagating a Christmas cactus is a way to give your plant as a gift to others the following year. The process is relatively simple. Cut a segment off with a sharp knife, let it dry overnight, insert the segment in light potting soil or perlite and cover it lightly with a plastic bag. Keep the cutting moist, but allow the soil to dry occasionally by temporarily removing the plastic covering. Allow six to eight weeks for the cutting to root. Maintain the rooted plant until it's time to give it as a gift.