Repotting a Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is not an easy undertaking. With its arched stems and umbrella-like, even weeping habit, it’s difficult even to get it out of its original pot without breaking a few of the fragile branches let alone repot it. But not if you use your dog’s or your cat’s Elizabethan collar to gently push the branches up and out of way.
That’s the suggestion of Denise B., who also sent photos of her experience. She found it made a huge difference and her cactus came through the ordeal with no damage at all.
You could try the same method when repotting any other plant with arching leaves or stems, like a Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) or a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum).
Now all you need is to buy a dog or cat as a ready source for a collar!
What a useful application of one of those devices. I don’t mind getting rough with those Christmas cacti and related species, just because I grow more from whatever breaks off. I would like to be more careful with burro’s tail (sedum), but I doubt that an Elizabethan collar would help.
I suspect you’re like me: I wouldn’t even try repotting a burro’s tail sedum: I’d just start a new one from cuttings.
Embarrassingly, I tried.
Love it!
What a great idea!! Thanks fort sharing! I have a large teddy bear vine that needs to be repotted….come here pups! Lol