If you’re wondering why is your Christmas cactus dying, you’ve clicked the right article!
Christmas cactus is a tropical plant that embellishes every environment with lovely red and pink blooms during the winter holidays. However, a dying Christmas cactus isn’t so festive and exciting.
Although it’s a low-maintenance cactus, it’s still susceptible to root rot that’s caused by improper watering. In today’s article, we’ll look into different reasons behind a dying Christmas cactus in detail.
We’ll also show you how to bring a dying cactus back to life, so let’s get started right away.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Christmas Cactus Dying?
As we mentioned, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), is susceptible to root rot. A Christmas cactus with root rot has limp, wilted, and sagging growth and a quick inspection of the roots will confirm your suspicions.
Carefully remove your plant from the pot and take a look. If your Christmas cactus has root rot, the roots will have blackened tips. Depending on the seriousness of the disease, rotted roots will be a bit slimy with brown or black decay. If your Christmas cactus is rotting, you need to act very quickly.
Root rot is a deadly disease in cactuses. Once it progresses too far, the only choice you have is to toss the cactus and get a new one. However, if a great portion of your Christmas cactus is healthy, you can utilize a leaf to propagate a new plant. And if you catch the root rot early, you may be able to save your entire cactus.
First and foremost, remove the plant from the container asap. Then, cut away any rotted roots and wash the remaining roots to remove any fungus. Put your cactus on a paper towel in a well-ventilated warm spot so the roots can dry overnight. The next day, place your cactus in a dry pot with fresh lightweight soil.
The pot should have drainage holes so the soil can drain freely. Next, wait a few days before watering your new cactus. Water thoroughly until water drains through the holes and let your cactus drain before returning the pot to the draining saucer. Never let your Christmas cactus remain in pools of water, otherwise, you’ll kill your new cactus.
Most cacti prefer underwatered conditions so don’t water until the top 1 in of soil feels dry. Last but not least, water sparingly during winter.
How Do You Bring A Dying Cactus Back To Life?
Typically, Christmas cactuses die because of root rot, a fungal infection caused by overwatering. Sudden temperature changes can also destroy your Christmas cactus along with pests such as Aphids, Mealybugs, and Brown scale. If your Christmas cactus is currently dying, the next steps can help you save it.
Trim rotting parts away
Overwatering causes root rot and the brown or black parts of your Christmas cactus must be removed. Next, you should place your cactus in a new container with new, fresh potting soil. You can also let your cactus dry overnight. Then, repot it in a new pot.
If you decide to repot your Christmas cactus, you should combine one part peat, two parts coarse sand, and two parts garden soil. Then, give your new Christmas cactus a few days before watering again. Also, never let your new cactus stand in pools of water.
Adjust daily sunlight
Your Christmas cactus may be receiving too much or too little sunlight depending on the position as well as sunlight available. Narrow or rounded cactuses need more sunlight. Therefore, place your new cactus where it receives more hours of sunlight every day.
Adjust watering
Wilted, wrinkled, and shrunken cactuses require more water. However, it’s crucial to let the soil fully dry before watering. This will prevent root rot. If your cactus is in a container it should have holes for water drainage. Also, you should adjust the watering based on the season.
For instance, during the summer period, water your cactus about 1 time a week indoors. During the winter season, back off and water your cactus only when the soil is completely dry. If it’s outdoors, keep track of the soil and water only when it’s dry and there’s no rain in the forecast.
Keep your Christmas cactus clean
We recommend that you keep your cactus clean at all times because when the flesh of the plant is covered in dirt or dust, it can’t process the sunlight the right way.
You can either wipe it down with a soft sponge or rag soaked in lukewarm water and a drop of mild dish soap or rinse off your cactus under the faucet in the sink.
Control pests and insects
Your Christmas cactus may be decaying because of different pests and insects. They will cause yellowing in your new Christmas cactus and make it sick.
Common harmful insects include mealybugs and spider mites. You can utilize rubbing alcohol to destroy mealybugs and purchase solutions for spider mites.
You can easily recognize insects on your cactus. They’re red spiders with webs that resemble sheets. Mealybugs, on the other hand, appear in white, powdery clusters.
Use the right fertilizer
Add low nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer at the start of the growing season which typically starts around March.
Fertilizers come mixed and packed in many different ratios. The best ratio for a cactus is the one where the nitrogen is rated at 10. A common solution is a 10 (N) – 30 (P) – 20 (K).
Be careful to avoid excessive nitrogen as it will cause flabby texture and stunted growth in your cactus.
Final Tips
Let’s wrap up this article by summarizing some of the basic “likes” of Christmas cactus:
- Bright light, without direct sun
- Fast-draining and airy potting soil
- Repotting each year after flowering ceases
- Humid air
If your Christmas cactus is dying, it’s probably because of root rot, pests, insects, or sudden temperature changes, or all of the above!
Don’t fret! If your cactus has root rot, but part of it is still healthy, you can save it! You can also get rid of pests and insects with different solutions and proper maintenance.
And if it’s not salvageable, toss it and get a new one. What’s your experience with the Christmas cactus? Drop a comment down below!