The leaves are falling off!!
Over the last week or so the leaves have been falling off. It’s a cactus so not sure if “leaves” is the right term😂 Over the weekend the a big chunk came off and I’m concerned about my plant baby. Any idea what’s happening??
Note: Current pic of plant and all of the “leaves” that came off over the weekend:(
Note: Current pic of plant and all of the “leaves” that came off over the weekend:(
3ft to light, direct
2” pot with drainage
Last watered 6 months ago
4
Best Answer
@FairyFly @Lizardplants101
Well let me address a few things. I have a bit of an obsession with holiday cactus. They are one of the plants I can't resist. I LOVE 🩷 them!!!
First thing first, this is not a cacti in the typical sense. They are indeed a cactus. But should never be treated as a normal cacti would. It's got very different needs and is a tropical plant.
At the same time you don't want to treat it like a tropical either!!! Confusing I know, but I'll explain.
They are an epiphyte meaning they grow on trees is really humid rainforests.
So they need a few different things I'll list them below.
First I will say they drop leaves like crazy for both over and underwatering.
So NO succulent soil, they will die on you from underwatering.
If you repot she will drop leaves due to the shock. So I'm not going to recommend that.
1. Small pots your pot size looks okay to me it could be smaller. But again she'll drop more leaves so it's not worth it.
2. Ceramic pot, great job she's already in one! 🩷 The size looks good too. Since they are epiphytes they don't like a lot of extra soil.
3. Light, again you're perfect!
4. You just need to find her sweet spot in watering care. And that's going to depend on your homes conditions. So don't follow a rulebook on this.
I suggest checking her every day when you stick your finger all the way into the pot and it feel dry or almost dry water again. Don't flood the soil. Because of the soil she's in. If you have a turkey baster use that and give her one baster full for a 4 inch pot. 2 turkey basters full for a 6 inch pot. That way she won't have wet soil that is hard to dry out.
You don't want her totally dry ( I've done that and crazy leaf drop happens )
You will get there I promise but it takes time. Just don't panic with some leaf drop and over or underwater.
In fact use it to your advantage they prop really easily if you stick those parts that fell into soil.
If you can add some humidity that also help prevent leaf drop because they are used to high humidity.
Ways to add humidity
1. Add a humidifier, but only use distilled water in it.
2. Add a pebble tray filled with water below your plant. But make sure the pot is never in the water. As water evaporates it increases humidity.
3. Cluster plants together. It will make water evaporate from your leaves in a process called transpiration. It effectively creates a mini microclimate with extra humidity.
Never mist, it does not increase humidity but will cause fungal and bacterial infections.
Tip: Remove leaf litter on all plant pots! It attracts plant pests and traps moisture below. You don't want that for ANY houseplant 🩷
Well let me address a few things. I have a bit of an obsession with holiday cactus. They are one of the plants I can't resist. I LOVE 🩷 them!!!
First thing first, this is not a cacti in the typical sense. They are indeed a cactus. But should never be treated as a normal cacti would. It's got very different needs and is a tropical plant.
At the same time you don't want to treat it like a tropical either!!! Confusing I know, but I'll explain.
They are an epiphyte meaning they grow on trees is really humid rainforests.
So they need a few different things I'll list them below.
First I will say they drop leaves like crazy for both over and underwatering.
So NO succulent soil, they will die on you from underwatering.
If you repot she will drop leaves due to the shock. So I'm not going to recommend that.
1. Small pots your pot size looks okay to me it could be smaller. But again she'll drop more leaves so it's not worth it.
2. Ceramic pot, great job she's already in one! 🩷 The size looks good too. Since they are epiphytes they don't like a lot of extra soil.
3. Light, again you're perfect!
4. You just need to find her sweet spot in watering care. And that's going to depend on your homes conditions. So don't follow a rulebook on this.
I suggest checking her every day when you stick your finger all the way into the pot and it feel dry or almost dry water again. Don't flood the soil. Because of the soil she's in. If you have a turkey baster use that and give her one baster full for a 4 inch pot. 2 turkey basters full for a 6 inch pot. That way she won't have wet soil that is hard to dry out.
You don't want her totally dry ( I've done that and crazy leaf drop happens )
You will get there I promise but it takes time. Just don't panic with some leaf drop and over or underwater.
In fact use it to your advantage they prop really easily if you stick those parts that fell into soil.
If you can add some humidity that also help prevent leaf drop because they are used to high humidity.
Ways to add humidity
1. Add a humidifier, but only use distilled water in it.
2. Add a pebble tray filled with water below your plant. But make sure the pot is never in the water. As water evaporates it increases humidity.
3. Cluster plants together. It will make water evaporate from your leaves in a process called transpiration. It effectively creates a mini microclimate with extra humidity.
Never mist, it does not increase humidity but will cause fungal and bacterial infections.
Tip: Remove leaf litter on all plant pots! It attracts plant pests and traps moisture below. You don't want that for ANY houseplant 🩷
Hello @Lizardplants101. The card says regular soil so accidental over watering could be a contributing factor. It needs a chunky/gritty succulent mix with added amendment like perlite or the like for extra drainage and aeration. The soil might be holding too much moisture. I would suggest changing the soil and always checking to make sure it's thoroughly dry before watering again.
Great, informative advice @SuperbRaspfern. My Thanksgiving cactus must be a brute cause it's growing great in succulent soil. I'll remember everything. 😄
@SuperbRaspfern Thank you so much for the information! Not sure if I’ll be able to achieve a humid climate for it as I live in ND, but I will give it my best shot! Also thank you for showing me your plants, I don’t feel so bad that mine is leaning. UPDATE: This picture is from today and more ended up breaking off down to the soil.
