![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sZ_S2jpbmJyuS3rTlOLGOqj9Vculbs2T_b_wOz3YBK1nE5nu5KQHWObR2enYRHB7ndy1JbeRrLOBsjR5YrVdCtJ_UMY9_T1Dk6lw9u-X4Le2tgrq3PmBnrNER_ZmxqsnmS9Y/s400/christmascactus3.jpg)
So, she sent me back to the dorm with a cutting off her own cactus and a few bare bones instructions.
It thrives, she said, on a little bit of water and a consistent dose of neglect.
She wasn't kidding.
That first year all it drank was beer. (Hey, I was a dumb college kid!) Later on, it developed a habit for Diet Coke.
These days, it's all pumped up on antioxidants and green tea. Basically, I water the poor gal with whatever liquid is left in my cup. :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV_ST0gtphLJV2If4eg1owymnCIRn8gWfgxPJQ5qle79Att88msiDnPMz1gao1_4ghxZ4UvPhF18huGhSfxcWeWgQMNbzWsWT7zo7OUR-erJelHo3VOKWAcJXrsd-V-FCZZaG/s400/hyacinth_cactus.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OCly1n-BXsGi7RHYz3M5H6ViNiqAiNUBruCloIS4WYm7h622Qd1VHPOZKz2KSIrPuRzH9qZyWdvW6TsKo4JoHT6-o2S1pNDa5186c3qHh6d-fRaXnJhgcaMw5Eozj8JLVCOS/s400/christmascactus1.jpg)
Sometimes she blooms for Easter. Other times, she'll bloom in summer.
The one thing she has NEVER done is bloom for Christmas. And, that's okay. I figure, when you get to be this old, you should be allowed to do whatever you damn well please.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD-jOY2deiDjwhogG4WXAxvm4_qQyfZISFXM2HcOmCWBFnMtpfd-2TZtOp_gCJTwqTl03IUbKNwzPgKKXLT5V8ldR2r-k11dYw7R7m2OjlJ3jssivLH4FBuvgwsu_BsGDkJ1S/s200/christmascactus2.jpg)
~ Cool, night temps and a little plant food can inspire these gals to flower every few months.
~ She's very fussy about being touched or moved, while blooming.
~ Notice the sections of her leaves? Trim back using these as a guide.
~ Allow soil to thoroughly dry between waterings.
The parent of this pretty Christmas Cactus was in our home before I was born. Which makes us both at least... 29.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissvuxFo6OyA915PTWjZWIgG7yYNdqQvWduTT8SvtGEp-t6D_5yu00tnzqKthhv2L-IKZqGBonNIzB9Vctj01odaTp2mOXElZ80ZHjvXA-I4bl4VnQcT17l4ZzQh5zLQkBLls0/s200/peach.cactus.jpg)
3 comments:
I could swear that mine bloom better when I keep them moist. The one that dries out regularly doesn't bloom as much. Go figure. I believe they each have their own distinct personality with their own likes and dislikes. I have had to learn on my own, as my mother never had Christmas cactus (or Thanksgiving cactus, as mine were, this year!) Love your colors. -Becky
Happy New Year Kate. Love your Christmas cactus, sure wish mine looked so nice.
Hope you get to feeling better about the new year soon.
Yes-I was just informed that withholding water for 2 weeks and putting in a cool dark place would get it to bloom again. So trying this with a small one that I bought last year. Hmm-we'll see!
Post a Comment