Topic: Pruning Christmas cactus

[davholla]

I have one which is quite big, is it too late to prune it this year?  Or would it affect it's flowering.

[Obelixx]

I don't think it will matter much.   Mine flowers when it feels like it - usually November and March.

The RHS thinks the best time to take cuttings is May so you're only a week or two late and presumably taking cuttings doesn't interfere with later flowering.

[davholla]

I don't think it will matter much.   Mine flowers when it feels like it - usually November and March.

The RHS thinks the best time to take cuttings is May so you're only a week or two late and presumably taking cuttings doesn't interfere with later flowering.

  Twice a year is unusual - and great.

[Obelixx]

Lots of the plants I grow haven't read the manual.   This Christmas Cactus was acquired as a tiny plant about 20 years ago at my daughter's Belgian primary school fête.  It has got into the habit since we moved here of flowering around Thanksgiving and Easter.

[Jeannine]

I know they don't like to be moved, the pot that is. If the pot is moved they often flower at the wrong time

[Obelixx]

Mine is outside for its summer hols on a north facing terrace so lots of light and no direct sun.   First time I've done this so it'll be interesting to see if that makes a difference.  Normally it's just the big ficus elastica and benjamina that go out.

Otherwise, my Xmas cactus lives in a well lit room with very thick walls so it only gets direct sun when the sun is horizontal in winter and only gets moved for an occasional rinse under a shower tap to remove dust from the leaves.

[davholla]

Mine is outside for its summer hols on a north facing terrace so lots of light and no direct sun.   First time I've done this so it'll be interesting to see if that makes a difference.  Normally it's just the big ficus elastica and benjamina that go out.

Otherwise, my Xmas cactus lives in a well lit room with very thick walls so it only gets direct sun when the sun is horizontal in winter and only gets moved for an occasional rinse under a shower tap to remove dust from the leaves.

Mine only flower if they have their summer holiday outside, that is despite the fact that some of them are on a very sunny windowsill.

I think in my case it is the moving inside which causes them to flower.  I want to plant a few cuttings and take them in at different times to see if it makes them flower.