What to do about root rot in Christmas cactus? A few tricks to rescue it fast
The Christmas cactus is delicate and beautiful, and it is the darling of many growers; as an ornamental plant it is also hugely popular! But good looks are only one side of things, and for many novice growers, the root rot problem of the Christmas cactus is truly a big headache. So why does such a healthy plant develop root rot, and how should it be handled? Today I have prepared plenty of useful tips for you, so grab a pen and paper and take good notes!
Causes of root rot in Christmas cactus
Once we understand the causes, we can treat the problem properly! Generally speaking, there are roughly 2 causes of root rot in Christmas cactus: water factors and fertilizer factors.
The first is the water factor, which is also the most common cause, mainly due to overwatering or poor drainage of the entire flower pot. You should know that too high a water content in the soil, or repeated watering before the plant has fully absorbed the water, will cause the entire root system to lack oxygen and ultimately lead to root rot. Therefore, it is best to make a watering plan, and never let your flowers be "drowned in love"!
The Christmas cactus's characteristic of "not liking fertilizer" means that if fertilizer management is improper, root rot can happen in no time. This is reflected more in novice growers who only half understand growing flowers: they know to use fertilizer but cannot grasp the right amount, and especially strong fertilizer and raw fertilizer must not be applied. When applying chemical fertilizer, apply less and apply often, otherwise the roots cannot absorb it in time and fertilizer damage will occur.
How to handle root rot
If your Christmas cactus is grafted onto cactus or three-angled broom, then if root rot occurs, you can first take it out of the soil, use a sterilized small knife to cut away the rotten root parts, then remove most of the branches and leaves, and place it in a cool, ventilated place for 2-3 days before cultivating again. Of course, during the growing process, be sure to control watering, and it is best to keep the potting soil in a state where the surface is dry and the lower layer is moist.
For recovered plants and for branches and leaves that have rooted after cuttings, peat should be used instead of river sand. It can be made by mixing 3 parts garden soil + 3 parts river sand + 2 parts furnace slag ash + 2 parts decomposed organic fertilizer, but be sure to note that after changing the growing medium, it still needs about 10 days to recover in a semi-shaded place, and then gradually restore light.
On the point of fertilizing, we have already mentioned above the Christmas cactus's characteristic of not liking fertilizer, so in order to avoid root rot happening again, we must pay attention to fertilizing. "Apply less and apply often" is the principle we should grasp. Many people think that plants and flowers need to drink more water, so they water too much. In fact, the Christmas cactus enters a semi-dormant state in summer when the light is especially strong, and the watering frequency should be reduced compared with spring and autumn. Absolutely avoid water accumulating in the flower pot, otherwise it will cause root rot.