--- title: "Help! I am trying to save a dear friend’s Christmas Cactus, Anna…" description: "Help! I am trying to save a dear friend’s Christmas Cactus, Anna Barbara! She was severely under watered. I have Anna Barbara in my home to save her. I have…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/bJ7KFPxERbqEOQ5tEB5KsA" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Missy" published: "2024-11-20T22:35:20.869919Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vOwPPJtGpqG9XDW2HISkYxHZbsT76HlUkKYgntt3290/R2SBteA6QvWtvKZo5IeGmA.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # Help! I am trying to save a dear friend’s Christmas Cactus, Anna… _Posted by Missy on 2024-11-20_ Help! I am trying to save a dear friend’s Christmas Cactus, Anna Barbara! She was severely under watered. I have Anna Barbara in my home to save her. I have had her for about a month and I am not seeing any change. I have put her on a proper schedule. Repotted with proper soil. Any advice is greatly appreciated! ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vOwPPJtGpqG9XDW2HISkYxHZbsT76HlUkKYgntt3290/R2SBteA6QvWtvKZo5IeGmA.webp?size=large) ## 17 comments ### eatyacarbs commented on 2024-11-20 what were the roots like when you repotted? i would consider giving this a good prune — fewer mouths to feed while it gets re-established #### Missy replied on 2024-11-20 They were bad. Almost non existent. #### Missy replied on 2024-11-20 When I prune, do you think I should do inches or bare minimum. My friend just told me this is a plant from her mother that is no longer with us! Ahhh I really want to save this girl! #### eatyacarbs replied on 2024-11-20 aha ok so you could try a little bit of organic rooting hormone sprinkled into the media. i just saved mine from rot (they are poor communicators) and it required suuuper chunky well draining soil, little but often watering, with the rooting hormone sprinkled in after repotting, and a good trim up. she’s blooming now — hang on and i’ll dig up before and afters #### eatyacarbs replied on 2024-11-20 i would cut a fair bit - inches for sure #### eatyacarbs replied on 2024-11-20 this is just a piece — it was a large plant but you can see the roots were TRAGIC. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/437cvweqbki9dm3WGwIgPKYbWJm3edDRYD1cwUaz2Sw/Znq_7SvMS42e1tin2FyZ8A.webp?size=large) _3 more replies in the app_ ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-11-20 I'd cut back anything that's mushy or looks super dark, mushy or crisp. They won't generally plump back up on these. And cutting back and adding in the fertilizer and rooting hormone should get it going with some new growth. Since it's a sentimental plant. I'd also find a healthy chunk or two and prop it. Cut it off, let it callus over 1-2 days, put some rooting hormone on the base and plant them in a chunky mix, about half way dodown That first leaflet. Don't over water though. They can be small single leaflet pieces too, it doesn't take a lot to prop them. You could also try a few in water to cover all the bases. #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-11-20 From the net, showing what I mean about just single plantlets planted to root, and growing new leaflets ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/LABcXOiTFudmBUCsau2S0dZnnxDdeMAvwSHhNs7sG2k/KREbKZ33SlmjRQAE_fT7ew.webp?size=large) #### Missy replied on 2024-11-20 This is incredible. Thank you!! #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-11-20 I hope it helps. I have cuttings from my grandma's orchid cactus, and I stress SO hard if anything changes with them. ### Missy commented on 2024-11-20 This is fantastic help. Thank you so much! I appreciate you! ### Shelbop commented on 2024-11-21 They are quite resilient, I agree that you could trim a bit and prop the off cuts in soil. It will need a little support because the roots are small. Cinnamon sprinkled around the roots will stimulate growth and give a degree of anti bacterial properties. It also looks dehydrated because of the roots not being good so could give it a liquid feed if not had one. They can be misted too. Time is all you can give it after that. If you prop some off cuts, they are easy to root, if anything drastic happens hopefully it will live on in the off cuts. #### Missy replied on 2024-11-21 Thank you! I have hope! Trying the cinnamon! ### Missy commented on 2025-01-23 UPDATE: We have new growth! THANK YOU ALL! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_