christmas catus

my mom has a x-mas catus that she wants to replant and give some of it to my sister and me. but don't know how to do it. It used to be my fathers pride and joy. He just passed away last year. So mom wants to give us some of it. How do you transplant it or take some of it and start a new one?

Hi Patty,
You can easily do 'leaf cuttings' on Christmas Cactus. You will need a small container, a low profile pot about 8" in diameter should work.
Get some 'fine sponge rock' or "Perlite" you should be able to find it in small bags. "Vermiculite" will work also. Fill the pot to near full.
Cut off some of the leaves, about 3" long. Let them dry in a shady area for about 2 days. Then put the 'leaf cuttings' into the pot, about 1" deep (cut end down). You can put a dozen or more in the pot if you wish. Water it and put it in a kitchen window (or similar) where it gets good light, but not have the hot sun shine directly on it. Water occasionally if the mix feels dry, don't keep it soggy wet. Check it maybe two times a week to be sure.
In about 6 weeks lift one of the cuttings, it probably will have some small roots starting at the 'cut end'. If the roots are about 1/2" to 1" long you can replant it in its own container, probably about a 4" or 5" pot, use a "Cactus Mix" in those. Keep them 'moist' but not wet, probably in the same general area. When you see new leaves start to form you can move them outdoors if it is not below 40 degrees in your area at night. After they are in the new pots for about a month you can use a liquid plant food about every two weeks to promote faster growth.
If you like you can plant several cuttings in the new pot, it will form a thicker bushier plant faster. Many of those grown commercially have many cuttings in a pot, they get full faster and sell them faster.