Although Thanksgiving cactus like to be slightly pot bound, repot as needed to prevent plants from becoming too pot bound—about once every three years—which is best done in spring. If they haven’t been repotted for years, they may have fewer or no blooms.
Can you repot Thanksgiving cactus?
Though they thrive on kind neglect and bloom best when pot-bound, you should repot Thanksgiving cactus roughly every three years to prevent soil compaction, or any time that the plants’ roots protrude from the bottom of the pot.
When should you not repot a cactus?
Cacti should be repotted as soon as the roots begin to show through the drainage holes at the bottom of its pot. As a general rule, fast growing species should be repotted every two to three years and slow growing species every three to four years.
How do I know if I need to repot my cactus?
You will know when to repot a cactus plant if you see roots coming out the bottom of the container. This indicates it is overly root bound. Most cacti find small spaces very cozy and can stay in their container for years. The sight of roots will let you know it has expanded too much and will need repotting.
What kind of potting soil do you use for Thanksgiving cactus?
The potting medium must be well-drained with good aeration, as these epiphytic cacti do not grow well in heavy, wet potting mixes. A good mix may contain 60-80% potting soil with 40-20% perlite.
When should I transplant my Thanksgiving cactus?
Wait to repot until after blooms have faded, but before new buds develop. Depending on your plant, this is generally in early spring. Thanksgiving Cactus often bloom best when pot-bound. Do not repot them unless necessary.
How big can a Thanksgiving cactus get?
| Botanical Name | Schlumbergera truncata |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Thanksgiving cactus, crab cactus, false Christmas cactus, holiday cactus, winter cactus |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Plant Type | Cactus |
| Mature Size | 12-24 in. long, 12-24 in. wide |
Do cactus like small pots?
Cactus plants usually don’t require big pots. However, if you choose a tiny pot, it will constrict the roots leaving no room for the soil. On the other hand, if you choose a vast container, you will- most likely over water the plant.
Do I need to air dry cactus before repotting?
Allow the plant to dry out for up four days. This allows the roots that might have been hurt to heal hence eliminating any risk of rot in the soil. Follow the potting procedure above to install your plant in the ideal pot.
How do you repot a cactus without it hurting?
There are few ways to repot your cactus without pricking and hurting yourself. To handle small to medium sized cacti, wearing nitrile coated gloves (can be two pairs or double coated) and using folded newspaper might be enough. What is this? Another way to handle small cacti is to use silicone tongs (not metal ones).
How do I keep my indoor cactus healthy?
In the growing season, the plants should be watered at least once a week. When watering, the soil should be given a good soaking, allowing excess water to drain away. Allow the compost to dry out slightly between each watering.
How often should you water a cactus?
Generally, cactus plants will need watering every 7 to 10 days for optimal growth during spring, summer, and autumn months. Increase the interval between watering schedules during the plant’s rest or dormant period during winter (approximately every 4 to 6 weeks).
Can you replant a cactus without roots?
Once an offshoot has grown large enough or has started producing roots, they can be removed from the mother plant. Try to get some roots when removing the offshoot. You can remove one without roots, but you will have much greater success with ones that have roots already growing.