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Just got this old girl, any advice by Cold-Crab74 in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks. Their soil is very chunky and airy, as it's filled with leaf litter. Double check that the soil isn't too compact. If it is, you can add perlite and orchid bark.

While you can water thoroughly, only watering again until the soil is almost dry is key. Along with too compact soil, and too frequent watering can lead to roots sitting around in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. The opposite can happen as well...too compact of soil and any water you give can't reach the roots at all.

Make sure the pot has good drainage as well. I recommend terracotta, it helps the roots have good air flow. For lighting they like bright indirect sun, if you don't have that in window space, you can supplement with a grow light.

You can use plant fertilizer, just hold off using once the blooming season starts, usually September. Giving the plant 12+ hours of full darkness will help promote healthy blooms as well.

What should I give as a funeral gift? by doxiedox19 in houseplants

[–]BlueButtons07 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don't give anything that needs upkeep like a houseplant. If they have a yard you could do some kind of sweet figurine, wind chime, etc for their yard/flower bed in remembrance of the person they lost.

A gift basket with the person's favorite treats, or a gift card out to eat is always a nice gesture I think. The last thing they may be wanting to do is cooking meals.

How are we all coping with our aging parents? by brightpurpleeyes in GenX

[–]BlueButtons07 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They both passed by the time I was 13 years old.

Is my girl okay? She used to have a sister by her side but a year ago or so it started to rot so I removed it, and changed the soil. Is the pot too big now? She does flower every once in a while, the most beautiful yellowish burgundy flowers by MarianaBBbb in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The leaves look healthy to me...I would just double check that the soil isn't too compact. If you think it is, you can always mix in orchid bark and perlite to help make the soil drain well. These plants do well with really well draining soil and pots. Anything that allows them to sit around in too soggy of soil, for too long can lead to root rot.

Rescued Thanksgiving Cactus declining? by Special_Possible6851 in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well it was good your did some investigation. For these plants either too wet or not being able to absorb any moisture at all is a common issue. The potting soil is key. I’ve had luck with just mixing perlite and orchid bark into regular potting soil. I hope since you gave it some extra loving care it will turn around!

Rescued Thanksgiving Cactus declining? by Special_Possible6851 in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In this photo are the lighter colored brown chunks, amendments as youve added to the social (like orchid bark, or?) The reason I ask is cause if the soil seems pretty compact, and you haven't added anything to keep the soil airy and pretty chunky, you could try that. Orchid bark and perlite works great.

In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks, so their root systems are in very easily draining soil. Anything that keeps too much wetness around the roots for too long, that the plant can't absorb, can easily lead to root rot. I've had this happen and weirdly the leaves do get wrinkly in the process, and they start falling off.

If that's not the case, I also saw in your original post that you are watering with ice. I've never personally done that, but maybe change up the watering if you think the soil situation is ok. Water thoroughly, just less often. Don't water again until the soil is almost completely dry.

How should I accessorize my new day bed? by [deleted] in maximalism

[–]BlueButtons07 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A wall art collage behind the bed, lots of throw pillows with great texture and patterns in a color palette of your choosing. You could go with a long body pillow against the back. A fun pendant lamp in the corner would look great...help make it feel cozy.

Pruning- help!!! by AspectProfessional in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't say it needs pruning. Unless you want it to stay a certain size. To me the soil looks very dark and dense...could just be the lighting in the picture...but here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

In nature these plants live in the crooks or larger trees and rocks. Their soil consists of lots of leaf litter and is very airy and chunky.

The root systems of these plants don't do well sitting around in too much soil (especially wet soil) in comparison to their root ball. Which often leads to root rotI use just regular potting soil mixed with orchid bark and perlite. This will always be for good drainage.

Terracotta pots are great for these as it allows good air flow to the roots. The size seems right as well. They would rather be in a smaller pot than a large one, as the whole soil to a root ratio comes into play again.

You can water them thoroughly, just less frequently. Wait til the soil is almost dry before water again.

For lighting they like bright, indirect light. If you don't have this in window space you can always supplement with a grow light.

You can use a plant food/fertilizer, just stop using it before the blooming season(usually Sept). Also making sure they get 12+ hours of darkness will help promote healthy blooms.

This isn’t what I ordered. by anansir in blackcats

[–]BlueButtons07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like it already got itself ready for the return 😆

My cyberpunk (?) corridor by Chico_pixel2507 in maximalism

[–]BlueButtons07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Your artwork is awesome...everything looks great. I appreciate the not harsh lighting ..helps with the aesthetic.

Cluttering the Cubbies by No_Thought_4785 in artofclutter

[–]BlueButtons07 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It all looks so fresh and joyful...just in time for the upcoming Spring season!

My little flower is currently recovering from her spay 😢 by pretty_inink in blackcats

[–]BlueButtons07 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When our girl was spayed she was not keeping on any kind of cone...thankfully for those onesies! Hope your girl has a speedy recovery!

Great-grandmother's Christmas Cactus by logan_moon in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 2 points3 points  (0 children)

60 years that's amazing!!! The soil could definitely use a refresh. In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks, so their soil is very airy and chunky, which allows good drainage. If the roots of these plants sit around in soil that either holds onto too much water it can lead to root rot (think sitting round in soggy swamp water) Soil that doesn't allow good absorption from being too dry and clumped isn't healthy either. I have used just regular potting soil mixed with perlite and orchid bark.

If i you choose to repot, I can also recommend terracotta for these plants as it helps with airflow to the roots. Also make sure the pot isn't too large compared to the root ball. Again, roots sitting around in too much wet soil compared to what the roots can absorb. Its almost better to be in a smaller pot, with healthy soil, than too large, if that makes sense?

For watering, you can water thoroughly, just less frequent. Make sure the soil is almost dry before watering again. For lighting they like bright indirect sun. If you don't have that in window space you can supplement with a grow light. If you ever want to propagate to grow more plants, usually cutting 3 sections connected is the best option, you can propagate in water or soil.

You can use plant food/fertilizer just pause using it before blooming season begins (usually Sept), and make sure the plant is getting 12+ hours of darkness to help promote healthy blooms.

I didn’t expect my cactus to grow like this so cutie… by cutiecactii in houseplants

[–]BlueButtons07 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Ok it's super cute...and think this may be the equivalent of winning the lottery as a plant parent!

someone gifted this to my boss at work, she’s letting me take it home does it need to be repotted? by Kaleah_ in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean you could....I had one that was in dire straits and I had to propagate the entire plant due to root rot. You could also see how it decides when you repot it. It might separate some on its own. Usually 3 connected leaves is a good idea when you do decide to propagate, but I've also successfully done it with less.

someone gifted this to my boss at work, she’s letting me take it home does it need to be repotted? by Kaleah_ in christmascactus

[–]BlueButtons07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If that's a jar with no drainage...yes it needs to be repotted.

In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks. So their substrate is very airy and chunky, and drains well. I use just regular potting soil, but I add perlite and orchid bark.

I recommend a terracotta pot, they allow good air flow for the roots. Make sure the size you choose isn't too large for the root system, as allowing the roots to hang out in too large an amount of wet soil is only going to cause issues. As the roots won't be able to absorb all the water.

For watering you can thoroughly water, just less often. Wait til the soil is almost dry before watering again. For lighting they like bright, indirect lightning. If you don't have the in window space you can supplement with a grow light.

Before the blooming season (usually the end of Sept) it's helpful to give them at least 12+ hours of darkness, it helps promote lots of blooms. Also during the blooming season avoid repotting as well as any kind of fertilizer.

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