In the last 2 pictures, I've removed all of the fallen segments from the pot. I had just been tossing them in there as I found them, at first hoping I could just propagate them, but I'm beginning to think that would be a futile endeavor.

Don’t worry everything will be ok🙂.

I think the mistake was moving it out on the balcony. I know it was the same light, but now it’s outside where the sun it stronger and it’s much hotter.

Your little friend is not like an arid type cactus, they come from the forests of Brazil. So they like bright indirect light and more water than cactus that come from dry deserts. Doesn’t mean it wants to sit in a soggy wet mess, but it would like a nice super fast draining mix and waterings, where the roots get flushed with water. I hope that made sense. Air circulation is real important also.

Whenever moving succulents from inside to outside it’s always best to slowly acclimate them, they could burn. It’s a shock to the system.

If this were mine I’d move back inside. Tbh it may be totally happy being grown inside. I personally don’t water my succulents on a schedule, but more on how the pot feels. Plants usually don‘t go by our schedules🙂.

Try propagating those leaves. Put them on some soil and mist them when dry. Normally I’m against misting rootless succulent cuttings, but epiphytic cactus are a whole different ball game🙂. Keep the rootless leaves out of any direct sun.

Here’s some info on your cactus🌵.

Agreed, that's just shocked. Unshock it and it'll recover. They're very resilient plants and all they really want from you is consistency.

Each of the shedded bits can be its own new plant, or new branchlet in the pot if you want, so those do serve their own purpose as well.

KARA:

Yayyyy you just made my night. Thanks for the response, and for the info!

I was actually kinda wondering if it could've even been the temperature change when bringing them back into the cool air conditioning from the heat outside.

About watering and schedule... I don't REALLY water on a schedule. Just, 'this plant took around 6 days to be thirsty last time so....'.

When you say that you 'go by how the pot feels', do you mean weight? Or do you use Terra cotta with them, and judge by the dryness of the pot sides?? I am still figuring out how to judge the dampness without digging my finger all around in the soil. I'm never content to check one spot. So, I am trying to find out other ways of knowing. I have noticed the weights change, but I've gotta get used to the DON'T WATER YET weight compared to the NEEDS WATER weight.

I'm actually a new plant parent. Well, new-ish. In March\April of this year, I decided I wanted to try my hand at plant caretaking. I always failed my plants when I was younger, but really want a house full of plants. I went overboard, and treated little battered plants at stores as puppies in the animal shelter.... Only I brought too many home. I went all out. By memory, not counting things in water or propagating, it's around 50. Definitely overdid it. Fortunately, having so many when I'm still learning about each of them makes it easy to underwater, since I'm a little prone to overwatering and checking each one often like they're newborn babies 🤣

I've dedicated myself, and have yet to lose a plant or cutting thus far because I keep a log so I don't make too many big mistakes with watering. But these holiday cacti are extra special to me so I really hope to save this one. My grandmother always had a HUGE Thanksgiving Cactus, and an epiphyllum oxypetalum (I think), along with tons of arid cacti, so I want to grow mine big and healthy as well (I also bought and rooted some epiphyllum cuttings). Something to spark happy memories whenever I look at them.

Anyway, I'm still finding each one it's perfect spot, and I think you're right... I'm pretty sure my little r. rosea was happy where I had her to begin with. Lesson learned... I should stop moving all of my plants around if they're happy where they are. I'm lucky I've only had this one mishap I'm thinking.

Thanks again, and sorry about the long reply. I really don't know how to write a short post haha

For many succulents (since you said you have other plants), you can help to yourself to find out when to water them (...when the potting mix is almost completely dried up, thoroughly...) by using a wooden or bamboo skewer or chopstick, or thin stick, or even pencil. Stick deep into pot (at least 3/4 deep) and leave in for few minutes. Pull out and check if dry or moist. If dry, time to water. At the same time: lift the pot (of any material) before watering (when skewer comes out dry) to feel it's heft. Lift the pot again about 1/2 hour after it has been watered. Try to remember difference in weight before and after. If you do this few times, eventually you should get the "feel" for the difference in weight. Once you 'get it', you can stop using skewer.

All of that said, holiday cacti need bit more moisture than most other succulents because their natural habitat is different than most other succulents. Citing Kara: ..."Your little friend is not like an arid type cactus, they come from the forests of Brazil. So they like bright indirect light and more water than cactus that come from dry deserts. Doesn’t mean it wants to sit in a soggy wet mess, but it would like a nice super fast draining mix and waterings, where the roots get flushed with water. I hope that made sense. Air circulation is real important also"...

Some recommendations from others for watering holiday cacti:

• in nature, they are growing in locations of perfect drainage, hanging from tree branches or rocky cliffs. In the rain forest, they receive frequent rains during the wet season but the water runs off rapidly and the roots do not persist in waterlogged soil. Even in the dry season, they may get 2-3 inches of rainfall monthly. Frequent waterings are good if your soil mix is very well drained. If you have a heavier soil that tends to retain moisture, allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings.

As you can see, drainage is very important (it is for all succulents).

ETA: BTW, if the fallen off leaves suffered lots of damage, they may not root. Segments should be healthy in order to reproduce, and most often it is recommended for cutting to be of 2 or more segments. BUT you will not know unless you try...Segments should be propagated in separate pots, few can be in same pot but not crowded.