Just leave it alone for awhile to see if the cold got to the whole plant. Being 30 years old, it must have a lot of woody growth. You can trim off all the transluccent parts and do not water until you see some new growth.
Just give it some time.

Val

You can also take a few cuttings if you see any segments that look healthy.

I have seen many different observations about the cold-hardiness of Schlumbergera, so I am curious: do you know what the minimum temperature was, and was the soil wet or dry?

Hi, hopefully it was only the stems/segments and not the roots. If the roots didn't get froze it MAY be OK. Good advise re cutting all the trasnlucent stuff off, as it is probably not going to recover and the roots will be putting so much energy into trying to revive them, they are best just to be cut off.

My friend had one years ago that froze when the heat in her house was off. She lost all of her house plants due to this but her CC survived.

Sending good vibes your way for a good recovery. . .

Maid~

Thank you all for your help! I guess the concensous (sp) is to clip off the translucent leaves and hope for the best. Yes there is a lot of woody growth.
tjickle, to answer your question, what was strange is that the morning I found it in this condition was not our coldest night (about 40) and it had survived our 2 low thirty nights fine. It was in full bloom the night it took the hit, and the soil was dry.
One more question everyone, It took 30 years to get to the size that it was will it take that long for it to fill out again? hope not!!!! Thanks again!

If it survives (and I hope it will!), the frost-pruning will help it fill out again in no time! Probably in a single season.

Josh

thanks josh that's great news hope you are right!
My Dad always put miracle grow spikes in it. about every 6 months...I have been told that it is best to leave it be, as it is in shock...Anyone here have any advise as to fertilizing it any time soon. Now that I have pruned it back the poor thing looks all naked and scared, not to mention embarassed LOL

I'm no expert...but if it were mine I wouldn't use the MG spikes fertilizer. I used it once many years ago and killed my plant, just my humble opinion. I would use an all purpose fertilizer at half strength...BUT, would wait until you see some new growths before you add any fertilizer. Good luck and hope it recovers soon.

I wouldn't fertilize with the MG spikes, either!
I've never seen them do any good...but I have seen them do considerable harm!

Josh

okay thanks for the advise no spike it is. Suggestion for a brand name on a fertilizer? Honestly since moving to Florida,I have developed a brown thumb, had a real green one up north but never did any fertilizing just water and sunshine. Down here I have killed more plants than have grown. I was so proud of how well Dad's christmas cactus took to Florida...and my brown thumb! It has been down here for 3 years. Again thanks for your help!
Trish

Thrish, he will come back, just leave it alone like everyone is suggesting, follow the advise of the this good forum. That is why you are here. Don't overwater. Do as they say, and when you do get ready to water make sure the water in room temperature. New growth should come and it will flower again at the tips of those new leaves. Good luck and keep us posted. Norma

Hi Trish,

Generally it's best not to fertilize plants when they're ill or ailing. Also best to fertilize when in active growth, which for these plants tends to start in Spring. I'd wait 'til at least March or April, when you're likely to see lots of new growth. Then use almost any fertilizer, preferably liquid at half strength, maybe once a month from Spring 'til Fall.

I suggest liquid like Schultz, Peters or even Miracle grow, but in liquid form so one can control the strength by diluting. Good luck w/ it.

thanks so much everyone...I will keep you posted...I was going to post a picture so you could all see the before and...ugh after pictures....but couldn't figure out how to do it!