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Christmas cactus question

cazsophieq2019cazsophieq2019 Posts: 193
in Problem solving
Sorry another question, I have this Christmas cactus which seems to be shriveling up despite being watered, as you can see from the pic there's new growth and it's also in a very small pot, only bought it last year, so was hesitant about repotting but wondering if perhaps it needs repotting or could there be another problem? 

Thanks again.

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    You are likely to be overwatering it. Too much water causes roots to rot, so the leaves are no longer supplied. Confusingly, this looks the same as not enough water. Check too that the outer pot isn't allowing it to sit in water. Repotting into a slightly larger pot, with quite gritty compost wouldn't hurt and would allow you to check the health of the roots,
    Mine live on a south facing window sill and are potted in terracotta pots that look nice and allow the soil to "breathe". They get watered only when the soil looks very dry or if I spot the leaves starting to shrivel. This happens more often when it is very hot or when the plant is flowering, they can go for a couple of weeks at least in winter. With succulents you are always safer under rather than over watering, as they are adapted to cope with occasional drought.
  • PyraPyra Posts: 152
    Yup, I agree with Butter. Stick it on a sunny window sill and don't water for a while. Repotting wouldn't hurt, you don't know how long it was in that pot before you bought it. I quite often have to repot orchids when I buy them as their pots are now too small and the bark has rotted. 
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