A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 What's the best way to root a cutting from a Christmas Cactus?

I have a nice Christmas cactus that needs to be re-shaped, so I was going to trim some of the 'branches' and use them to start some smaller plants. Also thinking these might make nice teacher Christmas gifts later this year. Anyway, what is the best way to root the cutting? In water or should I put it in moist soil? Thanks!

i've always done them in water.

Hi Amy

Welcome to the forum.

You've got a great idea! Best time to root plants is spring time so go for it.
My Christmas cactus had a bad fall 2 years ago, broke off quite a few branches today it's back to what it was. But it didn't bloom for a whole year. Normal I was told. Good luck.

Do you support them at all in water?

i just do mine in moist soil. works well for me.

i tend to match the size of the rooting container to the size of whatever i'm trying to root.

i use all different things (in all different sizes) to do rootings in. vases, ceramic pots, old glasses and coffee mugs...pretty much anything that will hold water!

particularly small cuttings go in shot glasses. long pieces like wandering jew go in large vases.

Good deal, I have plenty, maybe I'll try a couple in water and a couple in soil and see how they turn out, I appreciate the help-thanks!

I use all sorts of things here too! Drives my hubby nuts

I have tried water and they rotted.. So I just stuck them in potting soil, and viola......never lost one.
Easy rooters, and dont require any speacial soil.

Cant beat that one.

dodge

I started a bunch of them in water from clippings from a friend. Mine rooted fine, put them in a pot and only 1 is growing a new leaf.

Any ideas?

If I understand correctly they are slow growers. Anyone agree? Disagree?