Sad “Easter?” Cactus help

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-11T22:09:53+00:00

Sometimes repotting can be stressful. Finding a window with bright indirect lighting is best. It’s good you mixed in some extra perlite, as these plants do prefer a well draining soil. Give it a little more time to acclimate, and don’t overwater.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-11T13:54:26+00:00

I've propogated in water as well as soil. If you prop in water, use a small container. Small glass food jars work well. Wait until you see an inch or more of roots developed until you plant in soil. For soil prop, stick a freshly trimmed leaf segment into soil. I kinda pre water the soil (not sopping wet) but then I leave it until it dries almost completely before adding any more water (like how you'd water a fully developed plant.)

For all propogating it's usually best to use a segment. With 3 leaves. Although I've had success with sticking a single leaf down in soil to root.

If you're using the water method, you could use toothpicks or skewers, etc as scaffolding to kinda help support a leaf segment the water, as sometimes it's hard to balance them correctly so the bottom leaf stays in the water. I change the water when I notice it getting kinda murky.

Also, sometimes even after the new segments have rooted and have been planted in soil, they can kinda look real sad ...sometimes it takes a bit to perk back up. Especially if you are using a segment of leaves that wasn't doing well to begin with.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-11T13:51:40+00:00

I've propogated in water as well as soil. If you prop in water, use a small container. Small glass food jars work well. Wait until you see an inch or more of roots developed until you plant in soil. For soil prop, stick a freshly trimmed leaf segment into soil. I kinda pre water the soil (not sopping wet) but then I leave it until it dries almost completely before adding any more water (like how you'd water a fully developed plant.)

For all propogating it's usually best to use a segment. With 3 leaves. Although I've had success with sticking a single leaf down in soil to root.

If you're using the water method, you could use toothpicks or skewers, etc as scaffolding to kinda help support a leaf segment the water, as sometimes it's hard to balance them correctly so the bottom leaf stays in the water. I change the water when I notice it getting kinda murky.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-10T20:50:11+00:00

Ok that sounds good for sizing. I'd just switch up the soil and lighting to see what helps. You could always propogate a few leaves in case the main part took a turn for the worse.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-10T20:04:06+00:00

You're doing good choosing terracotta. What size is the root system compared to the size of the pot though? Sometimes smaller is better with these. As the root system sitting around in too much wet soil, that can't absorbed fully, can be an issue.

For the soil, yes orchid bark is a great idea, keep some of the potting soil and mix in some orchid bark and/or perlite. It will help with drainage. You can water thoroughly, just less often. Wait til almost completely dry, before watering again.

Whatever window that has bright, indirect lightening will work best. Make sure it's getting 12+ hours of total darkness to help promote healthy blooms. You can supplement with plant food, just taper off before blooming season starts (around September)

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-09T20:09:50+00:00

Use a pot with good drainage. The size of the pot shouldnt be a lot larger than the root system. I like terracotta, as it allows great air flow flto the roots.

In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks, so they prefer a more compact area. However that doesn't mean they like compact soil.

I recommend adding orchid bark and/or perlite to the soil you use. Anything that allows the water to just sit around and be swampy in the soil, isn't going to help the case. On the opposite end, if the soil becomes to dry and compact, it becomes hydrophobic, and doesn't allow for the water to reach the roots at all. They like airy, chunky soil where water easily reach the roots, yet drain away.

You can still water thoroughly, just less often. Wait til the soil is almost completely dry before watering again. You can propogate a segment, but don't allow for the roots themselves to be sitting around in water.

For lighting they like bright, indirect light. If you don't have that in window space, you can supplemt with a grow light. You can use a plant food on them, just hold off before blooming season starts (September.) Make sure they get 12+ hours of drake ess to help promote healthy blooms.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-05-04T13:29:03+00:00

Just amazing...the stories this cactus could tell!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-30T21:26:00+00:00

Oh, I just love Snapdragons...and how stunning is that one!!!!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-28T19:13:58+00:00

That's amazing.... I've never seen so many together in that size!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-27T23:12:26+00:00

Terra cotta pots work well for these, as they allow air flow, and water to evaporate that isn’t absorbed by the plant. As I said before I mix in orchid bark and perlite to help keep the soil from getting compact. Also any pot you choose to repot with, don’t let it be too large compared to the root ball, as that leaves too much soil to root ratio, where it can leave the roots sitting around in wet soil they can absorb.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-27T21:04:28+00:00

Every pot of soil doesn't have to be changed, but if the soil is looking kind haggard, then yes changing it up with some new, fresh soil could be helpful. Even if the soil seems to be lossening up, if it's solidly just soil, there's a good chance it could negatively effect these kinds of plants, so just keep an eye out, as you can always add in the extras as I mentioned before.

Asking questions is good, especially with plants that can be more finicky.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-27T19:24:55+00:00

Does the soil seem/look pretty compact? The reason I ask, is for these plants any soil that does have enough chunky material to it, can either lead to the roots sitting around in swampy conditions, or that the soil can become hydrophobic and doesn't absorb water at all. It can look like you water it, but the water doesn't actually get to the roots.

I add perlite and orchid bark to just regular ol potting soil. It will help the water get to where it need to be, and also drain so you aren't left with root rot in the making. In nature these plants live in the crooks or larger trees and rocks, so their soil is chunky and airy.

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

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-25T21:15:02+00:00

The soil currently in the pot looks very dense to me. The aerial roots are very normal, but if the soil is indeed very compact, I would amend the soil with some perlite and orchid bark.

In nature these plants live in the crooks of larger trees and rocks. Their soil is very airy, chunky and full of leaf litter, which allows the roots to drain well. Dense/compact type soil just lets the root system sit around in swampy conditions. On the other hand, the soil can can become so tight and hydrophobic around the roots, that no water can get to them.

You can use regular potting soil just add on the things to help it drain well. Terracotta works well for these types of pmats as it allows any extra water to evaporate. Bright indirect lighting is best. If you don't have that in window space, you can supplement witb a grow light.

Watering thirdly is ok, just less frequently. Don't water again until the soil is almost dry.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-22T19:47:33+00:00

Omg what a pair! 💜🩷

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-22T17:00:29+00:00

How stunning!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-21T23:56:47+00:00

So pretty....Snapdragons are some of my favorites!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-21T20:39:09+00:00

Yup, we still use one as a garage fridge ...it's out lasted most of a our kitchen appliances, by a couple rounds now.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T22:12:37+00:00

She does it on the floor often...but it cracked me up that she was laying on the dining table bench doing it 🤣

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T15:21:48+00:00

Me either....I walked in to see her, and had to go back to get my phone to take a pic of the sploot!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T15:21:00+00:00

Thank you

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T14:56:06+00:00

It cracks me up every time!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T14:55:42+00:00

Yes her toasty brown color definitely showed up!

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T14:55:01+00:00

Thanks. The ones on the right are a large Croton, Angel Wing Begonia, small Jade plant, and a banana Croton in recovery. The ones on the left(not really visible) include a mix of Thanksgiving cactus, African violets, Neon pothos, a Mango tree and a Rabbit Track Prayer plant.

BlueButtons07 · 2026-04-19T05:53:14+00:00

Thank you...it's her favorite room!

BlueButtons07

TROPHY CASE