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nika_plants_zone6b

Rooting thanksgiving cactus tips

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

My thanksgiving cactus is growing roots from points that are not in the soil. I don't know what to do with it.

the white noodles are the roots

thanks for the advice!!

Comments (13)

  • 8 years ago

    Don't touch it just keep doing what you've been doing.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked laticauda
  • 8 years ago

    But I'm afraid the roots may dry out and wilt away before they reach the soil.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Yes, they may dry up. But those are air roots and while they could possibly grow into 'soil' roots, they are OK to dry up. As you can see, there are air roots growing from juncture of other segments too. Those will never reach soil - too far.

    To root your cutting properly, it will grow roots from the end of segment in the soil.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Yeah, sorry JeffO, but really, you're kinda of confusing things. When it comes to giving advice, respectfully, your conjecture above is incorrect & I think to newbies confusing. Really isn't helpful.

    Perhaps here too, one might consider when it comes to giving advice, when in doubt don't.

    These plants are tropical jungle cacti, & they grow aerial roots normally, that's what they do, sometimes they dry out & sometimes not & the plant is fine (as Rina suggested). Not necessarily searching for water, sometimes trying to anchor the plants, since in the wild. they grow in crotches of tree branches, not even in soil.

    Your cutting would do better in a plastic pot, after having its mix changed to equal parts Cactus & Succulent mix or African Violet mix & Perlite.

    Sounds like maybe you're new to plants, pls. don't be so scared, the plant'll be fine.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked Karen S. (7b, NYC)
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    The post is rather ambiguous. If it is a rooted plant, Jeff is right that it is showing signs of dehydration. If its a cutting being rooted then it's a normal appearance while roots get established.

    Also, if it is a dehydrated plant then the soil could be too wet or too dry. It depends on the conditions the OP has been keeping.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked laticauda
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Edited: I deleted a couple of my comments because I misunderstood the OP. Sorry for any confusion.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked Jeff (5b)
  • 8 years ago

    Just wondering what putting the cutting in a plastic pot would change?

  • 8 years ago

    Schlumbergia grow in the wide spots on trees and on the ground, with the branches often lying prostrate on the ground. Aerial roots then are quite near the ground allowing the plant to extend its length.

    nika_plants_zone6b thanked Rob Blomquist
  • 8 years ago

    Update: the plant is now rooted in the soil and is looking a lot healthier, still no new growth though :(


  • 8 years ago
    Update: Finally some new growth has appeared!!! Today is the first day I’m noticing it. Looks like the plant is doing well still, hopefully it will continue to grow!
  • 8 years ago

    What a relief. That's so nice to see. Maybe you could report back if they flower this fall.

  • 8 years ago
    Update #3: Over the past few days I have been checking on all my plants and noticed this one has outgrown its pot! There were just a few roots starting to come out the bottom. So I decided to repot it into a bigger plastic pot. Hopefully I won’t have to repot it for a while now.
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