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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: davholla on June 15, 2020, 20:58:26

Title: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: davholla on June 15, 2020, 20:58:26
I have one which is quite big, is it too late to prune it this year?  Or would it affect it's flowering.
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: Obelixx on June 15, 2020, 21:09:24
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.
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: davholla on June 16, 2020, 08:57:34
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.
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: Obelixx on June 16, 2020, 10:38:50
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.
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: Jeannine on June 17, 2020, 07:01:53
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
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: Obelixx on June 17, 2020, 07:46:53
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.
Title: Re: Pruning Christmas cactus
Post by: davholla on June 17, 2020, 09:09:42
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.
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