I have many Schlumbergera and have been propagating and selling them for years. This year, many of the hybrids are dropping segments. It is frightening since some mornings it looked like something was eating them off and throwing them on the floor of the bird room. I have never in all my years seen anything like it. I have not changed a thing in how they are grown or their location. Up until this year, they have been fine.


My questions are:
Does anyone have any idea what is happening to them?
Is this happening to anyone else?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello JB,
I am no expert but mine are doing fine. They bloomed for a very lone time this year for me. I did have some trouble with my Huernia. Base rot. I was wondering if they need a lower PH level. I tried this by using Sulfur for Azaleas. Seems to have really helped. The lower PH prevents rot and repels insects. Just a guess. It's cheap and you could try on some. I am using this on all my Sansevieria as well.
Stush

I appreciate the comment. I will check and see if that may be the problem. I thought maybe I needed a good iron treatment but then I did not want to overdo it since they all look great and healthy in color, they are just shedding their segments...????

I have had mine do that and it didn't seem to harm them. I think you may be correct that they are just shedding segments.

I apoke to Randy at Whitten Greenhouses (where I buy some of my plants) and he suggested maybe they have been overwatered. He aid leave them dry out completely and then water. Which is what I had just finished doing since that was the only thing I could think of could have happened. I had a girl helping me when I felt crappy in June and I think she was watering when it was not necessary. Now I must admit they are not dropping more than normal. I was really concerned since it went on for weeks it seemed. Now they have dried and have had a drink on Sat. so we will see. Thanks for your help.

These plants are rainforest jungle epiphytes, not dry desert dwellers, the handle 'cactus' can be misleading in that regard. It's extremely stressful for them to dry out. I'd be more suspicious of that being the cause.

However, if the soil they are in doesn't have ample air in it, that could lead to rotting if kept as moist as they prefer. After moving all of my plants away from peaty potting soil, I only need to let the true cacti become dry to avoid rotting. It's much easier when your soil isn't your main enemy, and when the one thing plants need for us to do for them (add water,) isn't also the thing that kills them.

I think what happened with mine is the AC went on and the humidity in the house dropped. Since I turned up the AC a notch, and left them get a bit dry, they are doing much better. Our home environment sometimes change and we do not realize it, but the plants do. That is why I love those houseplants.