Question
Hi,
I purchased a Christmas Cactus last winter and was wondering when and with what should I fertilize it.  I have seen these plants in various friends homes and they look so stragely and thin I don't want that to happen to mine.
Thanks,
Rhonda

Answer
Rhonda
If your friends Christmas cacti look funky it is usually because they have let the plants go too dry too long between waterings...
Cacti and other succulents usually die from too frequent watering (or letting stay dry too long). You want to make sure they go dry between waterings. They do rot out easily if kept too wet. Water your plant based on how much it weighs when thoroughly watered VS when they are ready to be watered again. Most plants die from too frequent waterings, not from how much water you give them at one time. Pick the pot up and feel how heavy it is after watering it thoroughly. Don't water it again until it feels considerably lighter and the top of the soil is light in color.
Direct sunlight is good for cacti in general...
Fertilize this time of the year with a good indoor houseplant fertilizer...Get to your local garden center and see what product they sell & recommend for your cactus...Usually something with a N P K of 10-10-10 or similar is recommended...Once a month at the recommended amount (on the label) for 4-6 months is sufficient...

Hope this helps.Let me know what you think...
Rick in southern NJ