Christmas Cactus is dying
 

I've had this beautiful C C for over 10 years in a hanging basket. On
occasions in the past and most recently last year or so, I rejuvenated
the soil by adding more fresh soil at the bottom. This Winter, I've
noticed that the leaves are getting shrivel looking, that one touches
it, its like getting paper thin and wrinkly. It has never failed
blooming for me around Christmas time at that.. Does anyone know why
this happened and can it be saved?

Christmas Cactus is dying
 

noel888 writes:

I've had this beautiful C C for over 10 years in a hanging basket. On
occasions in the past and most recently last year or so, I rejuvenated
the soil by adding more fresh soil at the bottom. This Winter, I've
noticed that the leaves are getting shrivel looking, that one touches
it, its like getting paper thin and wrinkly. It has never failed
blooming for me around Christmas time at that.. Does anyone know why
this happened and can it be saved?

I believe our CC are at least 10 years old and still going strong.

I never messed with the soil.

Sounds like under watering.

I know from experience they can dry out _a lot_ and stay alive but they
shrivel up a bit.

I usually water every 5 days or so.

Christmas Cactus is dying
 

On Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:37:21 -0700 (PDT), noel888
wrote:

I've had this beautiful C C for over 10 years in a hanging basket. On
occasions in the past and most recently last year or so, I rejuvenated
the soil by adding more fresh soil at the bottom. This Winter, I've
noticed that the leaves are getting shrivel looking, that one touches
it, its like getting paper thin and wrinkly. It has never failed
blooming for me around Christmas time at that.. Does anyone know why
this happened and can it be saved?


Chirstmas cactus will begin to shrivel if too little water is given,
usually starting on one branch. A little shrivel is ok when the plant
is at rest after a bloom. But, the fastest way to kill it is to
overwater it with the pot resting in a saucer full of water. I water
mine well once a week, sometimes twice a month if cool.