My thanksgiving cactus is not well
I rescued this thanksgiving cactus from a grocery store. It had turned completely purple and was clearly stressed. I have been caring for it for a couple of years now, and after repotting it this spring, he started putting out new growth. I also moved, and he is now under grow lights with my Christmas cactus in a southern facing window that only gets some afternoon light. For the past month or so, he started dropping leaves like crazy. I initially thought this was good (shedding old growth in favor of new growth), but now I am seeing these blistery bumps all over, including on new growth. Is the new soil mix perhaps causing some overwatering problems? Is it too much light? Any help is so appreciated. I really want this little guy to survive. 😭 #thanksgivingcactus #helpneeded
1ft to light, direct
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 week ago
10
Hi there! @malobee So yes, those blistery bumps are oedema. They will fill with water until they burst and leave a scar. It happens when plants take up water faster than they can transpire. It also happens if the soil is retaining too much moisture. What kind of soil do you have them in? The purple/red is most likely sun stressing, which is not automatically bad, it’s like them putting on sunscreen, but could mean too harsh of light on them. Now for the leaf drop…are they ALL old leaves that are shriveling and dropping? Or is it new growth, or green growth that’s dropping too?
@DreamMachine the purple color is from when I first bought it—the entire plant was dark purple from stress. The only leaves dropping are this old growth. It is currently in miracle grow succulent and cactus mix. I had some that my sister gave me, so I just went with it not having used it before.
@GemWaxvine23 there is no standing water. I water the plant and let it drain completely. My water moisture meter (which I tested and is working fine) says it is just barely moist right now. I could be just too on top of watering as soon as the meter gets into dry territory, so it takes up too much water.
@malobee my goodness!! You’ve done a great job rehabbing this one! 😱👏 Holy moly they were STRESSED before 😵💫
I’m afraid I think it may be your soil retaining too much water. Even though it’s sold as a succulent/cacti mix, it still is too moisture retaining as it is. For the future I would recommend adding at least 50% perlite, or orchid bark or something chunky like that to your bagged potting mixes. However, I’m not sure if repotting again right now while it’s still a bit stressed would be good for them 🤔 . Holding off water for sure👍 until the pot is fully dry, even dry from the bottom drainage holes would be what I recommend right now. But I’m going to tag our resident expert to see if there’s anything else she’d recommend for your holiday cacti recovery. ❤️🩹
Shannon @SuperbRaspfern would you suggest anything else for this, besides decreasing the watering until dry? Should @malobee Malorie repot with more drainage/aeration right now, or hold off?
I’m afraid I think it may be your soil retaining too much water. Even though it’s sold as a succulent/cacti mix, it still is too moisture retaining as it is. For the future I would recommend adding at least 50% perlite, or orchid bark or something chunky like that to your bagged potting mixes. However, I’m not sure if repotting again right now while it’s still a bit stressed would be good for them 🤔 . Holding off water for sure👍 until the pot is fully dry, even dry from the bottom drainage holes would be what I recommend right now. But I’m going to tag our resident expert to see if there’s anything else she’d recommend for your holiday cacti recovery. ❤️🩹
Shannon @SuperbRaspfern would you suggest anything else for this, besides decreasing the watering until dry? Should @malobee Malorie repot with more drainage/aeration right now, or hold off?
Thank you @DreamMachine and @GemWaxvine23 for the assist! I will hold off on watering and keep a close eye. If anything else comes up I will be sure to post!
When exactly was your move? The reason I ask is the shock from the move will last 2-4 weeks.
With shock they stop growing, can drop leaves from the shock and oedema is much more likely since they are not drinking a lot.
Also:
These go semi-dormant several times of year August is one of their semi-dormant phases. It's normal for them to drop a few leaves during this time. Which also means they need less water. It's important for them to have this little rest so they can flower in fall for you. Make sure it doesn't get direct sun at all right now. It can have some light but you don't want it direct a grow light is fine. And NO fertilizer during this phase it will burn the roots.
After the shock from the move has passed (if it was a recent move) and she starts putting out fresh growth. Then, you can pick up normal watering and fertilizing.
These also don't need a big pot. Just always remember that you always want 1/3 of the plant hanging over the side of the pot. If the pot is too big her energy will go into more root growth to fill the pot instead of flowers.
And their flowers are stunning!!!
@DreamMachine Thanks for the tag my friend.
With shock they stop growing, can drop leaves from the shock and oedema is much more likely since they are not drinking a lot.
Also:
These go semi-dormant several times of year August is one of their semi-dormant phases. It's normal for them to drop a few leaves during this time. Which also means they need less water. It's important for them to have this little rest so they can flower in fall for you. Make sure it doesn't get direct sun at all right now. It can have some light but you don't want it direct a grow light is fine. And NO fertilizer during this phase it will burn the roots.
After the shock from the move has passed (if it was a recent move) and she starts putting out fresh growth. Then, you can pick up normal watering and fertilizing.
These also don't need a big pot. Just always remember that you always want 1/3 of the plant hanging over the side of the pot. If the pot is too big her energy will go into more root growth to fill the pot instead of flowers.
And their flowers are stunning!!!
@DreamMachine Thanks for the tag my friend.
