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Sunday, April 25, 2010

On Cactus Monday, I ask you...

what is wrong with my Christmas Cactus plant?


I have two planted in this pot...both flowered beautifully as they should over Christmas and January. Now one is turning red and wilty. I thought it needed water, so I watered yesterday. It didn't help. The other one is green and happy looking. I am suspecting that this plant is trying to die on me. Maybe it got too much water recently during a few days of rain??? But it is planted in cactus soil, and drains well. Any ideas??? I moved it more into the sun as well.

This is how purdy it looked when it bloomed last!!!

17 comments:

Aaerelon said...

It's not Monday yet... :) from what I've seen they turn redder in bright light. The one time it wilted on me I had actually broken a large 'branch' while watering. It was pretty much in the soil so I had no idea I broke it initially. I basically severed the roots underground.

I don't have room to take my christmas cactus. Or my succulent pot. :{ (that bracket looks more like a trembling sad face so it's perfect)

mr_subjunctive said...

How long since it was repotted?

Julie said...

Mr. Subjective...Hi there! Thanks for your help. I repotted these two together into this pot in approx. October. I remember cause I then put it outside in the bushes so it could have longer dark periods before blooming time. It has been healthy till now. Thanks!

Aerelonian- Hmmm...now you got me wondering if someone knocked it over and I was not aprised...maybe it got damaged.

Hey...let me try that trembly-lipped face...:} COOL!

Sorry about my early post for Cactus Monday...had to go to work and wasn't sure I would have time to post by morning!

Julie said...

Aerelonian- sorry to hear you can't take your succulent pot or CC with you! :(

yoon see said...

That's very beautiful:)
You have so much passion caring for for your lovely plants:)

Steve Asbell said...

Thanks for checking out my epiphytic cacti post!
Aerelonian's got the right ideas... I'm almost positive that the reddish color is a result of brighter light this time of year, and although many epiphytic cacti thrive in these conditions you may choose to give it a shadier spot for now.
Sometimes they show stress if the root system is damaged by rot too! I would inspect the rootball and prune out any dead roots, maybe even giving the cactus a good trim so it doesn't have to work so hard with less roots. You can always root the trimmings like I did! wink wink.

Julie said...

Rainforest- thanks! You know, the red plant looks even more limp this morning...I was thinking of trimming it back! Maybe those cuttings would revive if I stuck them in a new pot. Good idea. I just love this one plant so much...a gift from a doctor I used to work with! Thanks again!

Catherine said...

I'm passing this link onto my mother to see if she has any ideas... she has a few of these on her patio (and I took cuttings this weekend and planted them for myself, hehe). I hope yours gets better, it's so gorgeous when it blooms!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Loved your bromeliad photos. This poor guy is not happy but I can't tell you why. I hope it gets over what ever is ailing it. Maybe too much water.

Snippety Gibbet said...

I love the header photo. It looks like a coconut macaroon.

Thank you so much for your kind and inspring words on my blog. I appreciated them so much.

jan

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Maybe too much water... They don't like much! OR--maybe it's root-bound... I know that they don't like alot of sunlight either after the blooming season is over.....

Good Luck....
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

My daughter (Inspire Bohemia) asked for my comments: I believe the redness is caused by too much light. I have several CCs and discovered the ones in full sun did not do well. I've brought them into the patio and they are much better after repotting, however they did not bloom much this winter. I'm sure your TLC will bring it back. I so enjoy reading your blog.

Julie said...

Carolina- thankyou! Your daughter is such a sweetie to ask your opinion for me!!! I will try moving them a little further out of the sun...they are already in a covered screenroom, and get a few hours of sun in the mornings only.
Come visit my blog anytime!
xoxo- Julie

Bethany said...

I have no idea, but I hope it feels better. Looks beautiful in it's blooming!

Pudgeduck said...

Hi Julie,I have three in seperate pots on my window sill-no sun just light-not much water and they look great! Hope I didn't jinx them!!!

Bobbie Lynn said...

Julie, So sorry to hear about your Christmas Cactus. It seems that I'm having some issues with mine as well. My smaller one did flower last year but the larger one did not. I may have to look at the root ball on them to see if anything is going on. Reading your comments I will try a few recommendations..

Have a good day and hope they are doing better.

Unknown said...

Lots of tips here. I'll remember this post when I get a Christmas Cactus. Hope it gets well soon.