What to Do When the Leaves of Rhipsalidopsis and Schlumbergera Have Problems? The Correct Way to Handle It
A gardening enthusiast sent two pictures, asking why the newly grown leaves of their Christmas cactus were drying up. Neither of the two pots in your pictures is a Christmas cactus.
The first picture shows a Rhipsalidopsis (Easter cactus), which blooms in spring. From what I can see in the picture, the root system of this plant has already rotted, and all the stems above the soil have dried up. If Rhipsalidopsis is watered improperly during the summer or kept in poor ventilation, this situation is most likely to occur. The best way to grow Rhipsalidopsis is by grafting; growing it without grafting makes this problem most likely to happen. This one of yours is already beyond saving.
The second picture shows a Schlumbergera (Thanksgiving cactus), which is also not a Christmas cactus. Its blooming period is around the Spring Festival. Looking at its condition in the picture, there are new leaves coming out, and the leaves appear wilted. The main cause of this is lack of water; you probably haven't watered it for a long time. You used a ceramic pot, and the soil is quite loose and airy. The overall condition shows no root rot, just lack of water, severe lack of water. In summer it grows slowly or not at all, which is normal. But you can't just stop watering it. Without water, its leaves will wilt back. I suggest you water it, choosing the evening when there is ventilation, or the morning. After watering thoroughly, be sure to place it in a well-ventilated spot. Let the roots absorb the water, and then the leaves will plump up again.
From the two pictures you provided, the first one has root rot and is already beyond saving, because the leaves have severely lost water. Even if you try to propagate it from cuttings, it won't easily survive. The second pot's overall plant condition is still passable. After watering, let it recover slowly, then water again when dry, and after a few waterings it will recover. Especially after autumn arrives, it will recover quickly.
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