Limp Christmas Cactus

[Ava]

This Christmas Cactus (I'm too tired to remember the proper name, even the first part), bought in December last year, started looking a bit droopy a couple of months ago. I unpotted it and the roots looked fine, if short - it did split into many parts, though. I've repotted them, waited a while and then watered them, but they just don't look healthy. The leaves seem limp and there's a slight wrinkling as if they aren't hydrating properly. I can't see any obvious signs of pests.

[esp]

They aren't hydrating properly. Some combination of small/ no / dead roots, and/or underwatering.
The stems look healthy, if there is no sign of rot of the bottom segment, just give them a bit more water and they should sort themselves out. They look they are in a very porous compost (pure cat litter?) so could handle frequent watering over the warmer part of the year.

ETA - is that radiator turned on? If so, that situation would dry most plants out in a flash.

[D^L]

I agree almost emtorely with esp. These forest cacti like humid conditions and much more water than the desert ones. It looks like the roots aren't thete or are not working. If the radiator in on they will struggle with the dry heat. If that is largely seramis as soil it will need to be kept damp.
Cheers
David Lambie

[Ava]

Oh, I feel like such an idiot. Poor things. They've been thoroughly watered and moved from that windowsill. Thanks.

[Jethro558]

Mine is similar so will try to keep it watered.
My question would be, how can I provide a humid environment for the cactus in my living room?

[Ava]

Mine is similar so will try to keep it watered.
My question would be, how can I provide a humid environment for the cactus in my living room?

I think that's more optimal but not necessary. That said, I suppose you could get a humidifier and put it next to that?

[Jethro558]

Ok thanks for the help

[MikeT]

My question would be, how can I provide a humid environment for the cactus in my living room?

Get a saucer or tray rather larger than the pot size, put a good layer of gravel in, place pot on top, and keep the saucer topped up with water. The water level can be below the top of the gravel = pot base, but gives a moist microclimate.

[el48tel]

My December Lidl acquisition has also become flaccid during the last 24 hours. My inference was the sunlight on a partially heated sunroom had caused this. Yet the two cuttings I had potted up in December which sat adjacent on the sill were in a smaller pot and quite fleshy and producing new growth.
The only difference between the pots which I can see is that the Netherlands(?) grown original is in nearly pure peat whereas my cuttings are in a 50 50 mix of John Innes number 2 with large grit. My inference from this is that peat will dry out as fast as it will absorb. Once dry it is difficult to rehydrate.

[Ava]

Mine is dead.

Moved it in the early hours yesterday to a nice south-facing windowsill, went out to a cafe for a few hours around 10am, got back and found it browned by the sun, draped over the pot as if in the middle of an escape attempt, smelling of partially-cooked cabbage.