As a general rule, the plant prefers temperatures between 70 and 80 F. (21-27 C.) during spring and summer, and slightly cooler temperatures during fall and winter. When watering the cactus, avoid getting water on the leaves. This year (2019), it had a main bloom around Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October, and is now having a second full bloom as I write this in early-December. Typically grown indoors, it yields colorful blossoms during the Christmas holiday season. It's the peat which is more than likely causing your problem. Christmas cactus limps because the plant did not receive enough water and the potting medium is dry out. I do not grow any of my epiphytic cacti in any peat at all (I have over 200 epiphytes). It can wilt and die when the amount of water is not enough. As a general rule of thumb, Christmas cactus thrives in temperature between 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) during spring and summer, and between 60 to 68°F (15 to 20°C) during fall and winter. Too much makes the plant go limp. Thin and shriveled stem segments appear when your plant is dehydrated. Leaves on the Christmas cactus will wilt when the plant doesn't receive enough water. Hello friends! To solve this problem, water the plant frequently during hot … The recommended moisture reading may depend on the manufacturer of the meter. Underwatering is a big problem for CC, people think they need the same care as most other cacti, but they don't they need to be treated like orchids or hoyas. I hardly ever use any fertilize. A Thanksgiving cactus, which is the same genus (Schlumbergera) as a true Christmas cactus but a different species, has leaves with curved, pointed “teeth,” whereas the Christmas cactus has rounder leaves. Limp, shriveled segments show that this Christmas cactus is in serious trouble. To avoid this, you must consider the humidity and soil appearance when watering. Jan 17, 2018 - You've been caring for it all year and now that it?s time to expect winter blooms, you find the leathery leaves wilted and limp on your Christmas cactus. The leaves may fall off and white rotting spots may appear because of overwatering. However, just because the Christmas cactus needs a cooler temperature to force bloom, it doesn’t mean that they are tolerant of frost and cold weather conditions. The red leaves on your Christmas cactus indicate that it has experienced some type of stress. They are beautiful! If the soil is powdery and dry, then water quantity or frequency is the issue. My christmas cactus is 33 years old has been repotted many times, had a lot of pinching back and oodles of blooms. Step 1. There are several things to investigate when a Christmas cactus leaves are limp and flat, including inadequate watering. Christmas cactus doesn’t need fertilizing whilst in bloom, but through months April – October you should be fertilizing every two-four weeks with a general-purpose indoor fertilizer. Wrinkled leaves are usually a sign of moisture problems. It started looking better, but now it is limp, bent over, and the leaves are reddish. Sometimes, I just forget to water them, on purpose!! When a pot that the Christmas cactus is planted in becomes too small, the roots become entangled so that they cannot drain as well. If the soil is fully dry, water it thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out the bottom of the pot. Thank you for explaining why the Christmas cactus takes on a reddish hue. If you think this may be the case, water the plant lightly every few days and see if it begins to rebound. I wish to introduce myself. Give more water to a wilting cactus. I have a house full of Christmas Cactus in all colors. Root bound: if your plant has not been repotted in several years, it may be time to move up a pot size. Being green, stem segments carry out photosynthesis like a leaf would and keep the plant fueled in energy. When you see leaves falling off Christmas cactus, it can be due to the temperature that is too high or too low. Too little water makes the leaves shrivel up. Also, make sure your plant is located in the ideal spot—they like humidity, temps from 70 to 80°F, away from drafts or fireplaces. Learn about possible causes and solutions here. Low humidity may cause the plant to wilt as it naturally survives in areas with high humidity. This is usually related to a lack of nutrients and being exposed to excessive bright light (like being set outdoors in the sun). Holiday cactus plants wilting and turning limp is another common problem. Over-watering is a common cause. Too much or not enough water can cause these symptoms. I've had this little Christmas Cactus for a little over a half a year and it's still alive, though clearly not thriving. Leaves: The leaves of the Christmas cactus have a more rounded, scalloped edge.The tip of each segment is slightly curved but they can look almost straight across. Unlike other cacti, Christmas cactus is … I water sparingly letting the top one inch to dry out. The best way to find out why your leaves are limp is to look at the roots. On the other hand, beware of overwatering; too much water may cause rot, which can also cause shriveling. Love your explanations! To fix it, water more frequently (but take care to avoid overwatering, too, which can cause leaves to fall off and root rot). I have trouble with my Christmas Cacti every winter. A few weeks ago it had two blooms, I guess two branches were late to the party as the others bloomed in December/January. Why? Changes in light and temperature can change the plants watering requirements. Conducting some research this morning to see what those in the plant world are saying about this problem: 1. Holiday Cactus has Limp Leaves. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 and 12. I am Michael, a Research Librarian with 20+ years of experience. Leaves contain a flavonoid called Anthocyanin, which functions to provide the colors we see in flowers and fruit. If you under-water your Christmas cactus, you can expect the leaves to droop. Evaluate the growing conditions. A while back, when it first started becoming limp, I repotted it. Dry soil conditions will also cause the buds to drop. If your soil is moist, let it dry before watering again and reduce your watering schedule. Cacti need fertilizing, no matter the type. This question has … If they are brown and stiff and brittle, they need more water. If they are limp and squishy, they are overwatered. Usually its the lack of water. Proceed to Step 2. Don’t forget that, although the Christmas cactus is a cactus and is adapted to drought conditions, it still needs a certain amount of water. When growing a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), mist the area around the cactus in between waterings to increase humidity. Sep 3, 2015 - If your Christmas cactus leaves are purple instead of green, or if you notice Christmas cactus leaves turning purple on edges, your plant is telling you that something isn?t quite right. If parts of the cactus appear shrunken, wrinkled, or wilting (drooping or appearing limp), it probably needs more water. If the soil is overly wet, then an excess of water is the cause of the wilting and you'll need to follow steps 3 to 5. Your plant leaves may limp due to the following reasons; Low Humidity. The plant will do fine is a somewhat crowded space, but when it becomes overcrowded, it will not receive the nutrients that it needs to grow, which is why the leaves turn yellow. The leaves are still pretty limp and very light green in color compared to my other thanksgiving cactus. Flowers: The flowers of the Christmas cactus are usually white or pink and bloom in December.But don’t be surprised if you also see blooms between March and May on these plants. The smallest one got soft, limp leaves that looked a bit disiccated, and by Jove, they were! I currently have three Christmas cacti, and am trying to give one away--those little devils grow fast, don't they? The first and foremost reason you’ll notice Christmas cactus leaves turning purple is for nutritional reasons. Why are the Leaves on My Christmas Cactus Limp? The leaves should be firm to the touch, not soft. I keep the plants outside all summer where they flourish. I have all of them in indirect sunlite. Temperature – Too much heat or cold may be to blame for Christmas cactus leaves dropping off. 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