Question
Hi Greg,

I have a small Christmas Cactus(5-6" long) that dropped several shoots over the weekend.  I hoping you can answer two questions regarding this event.

1. What could have caused the shoots to fall off?
2. How do I propogate these babies.

Re: (1) The cactus receives indirect light via a northly window, and we place under a flourescent light with our African violets every now and then.  I try to keep it moist, but not wet.  Although, sometimes my boyfriend forgets about it when I'm not around.  I think it needs to be repotted.  As it's still in the same 3" seedling container from time of purchase.  But, I don't what kind of container to buy, as it's arms will grow longer.

Re: (2) I read the propogating instructions from (http://www.fernlea.com/xmas/cactinfo.htm)  But, I am not clear on these sentences:  

"Cactus is easily propagated by taking short Y-shaped cuttings of the stem tips."
- Are the Y shaped cuttings where it has branched?

"To root cuttings for new plants, cut back shoots from the tips, cut at the second joint of each tip."
- What is the tip?  Second joint?

I have digital pictures of the shoots ready to send if you need them.  

Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated.  I am trying to learn propagating and care for all my plants and I understand that the Christmas Cactus should not be too difficult.

Thank you in advance,

Courtney  

Answer
Dear Courtney,

Please see answers below:

1. What could have caused the shoots to fall off? "Age or lack of water can cause the shoots to fall off. Also, bound roots can affect a plant in this fashion."

2. How do I propogate these babies. "You can try, however the shoots will not generally root unless there are a number of shoots connected together like a train."

Re: (1) The cactus receives indirect light via a northly window, and we place under a flourescent light with our African violets every now and then. I try to keep it moist, but not wet. Although, sometimes my boyfriend forgets about it when I'm not around. I think it needs to be repotted. As it's still in the same 3" seedling container from time of purchase. But, I don't what kind of container to buy, as it's arms will grow longer. "Yes, repotting sounds like a good idea."

Re: (2) I read the propogating instructions from (http://www.fernlea.com/xmas/cactinfo.htm) But, I am not clear on these sentences:

"Cactus is easily propagated by taking short Y-shaped cuttings of the stem tips."
- Are the Y shaped cuttings where it has branched? "yes, that is what that is describing."

"To root cuttings for new plants, cut back shoots from the tips, cut at the second joint of each tip."
- What is the tip? Second joint? "the tip of the cutting is also called its apex or the top of the cutting. A joint is the constriction between each segment."

Hopefully this helps. Please respond if I have not clearly answered your questions. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Greg