Christmas Cactus and The Ties to Family

During this time of transition to the cold weather I find myself thinking toward Spring. There are many things that I enjoy during this time of year, in particular, the Christmas cactus that I have had for 26 years now. This year my wonderful companion, BooBoo, decided that he was going to use my prized cactus as toys when he was tired of his own. So, without warning my ancient cactus were uprooted and torn into pieces that I was afraid would  not have the strength to survive. With great care, I saved all the small pieces that I could find and placed them in several pots of dirt. 

My conversation with my husband, who claims ownership of BooBoo, was very poignant at the time. My tears could not be stopped as I berated BooBoo and my husband on the significance of the situation. The cactus was given to me by a now gone neighbor and I looked forward to watching it bloom at Thanksgiving time each year. This year was going to be very different and it was because of my revered, however misguided, pet. 

As I planted the small pieces of my revered plant my thoughts were wrapped around there being no blooms this year. So, now that I have given you the scene, I am very happy to tell you that I kept them watered and outside as long as I thought safe. I brought several pots of the struggling pieces in recently to continue CPR for the winter. 

Each morning I take the remains of the day before coffee mixed with water in to my sunroom to water my collection of plants. I have been watching carefully to make sure that my survivors were still holding on. As the days of progressed, I have been rewarded with a wonderful display of buds just waiting to show their shining faces. Albeit short, they are now blooming in their tiny ways just to show that even a well meaning dog can make my heart full. 

Over the years I have taken cuttings and mad gifts for all of my friends and family. Each time my children move to a new home they are presented with one of these growing gifts.  

As the time comes closer and the money gets tighter I would like to challenge each of my readers to find a plant that makes them happy and bring it home. As the winter moves along think about where it would be able to enjoy the summer outside. The best way to help your plants be all they can be is to move them outside when you get ready to go out and enjoy the warmth. My caution is to make sure that they never get direct sunlight. The plants are susceptible to direct sun the same as you and I are when we first step out of the house and into direct sun. Find a nice spot under a tree or the shaded side of your deck or balcony. As the summer progresses you will see the leaves get greener and if it flowers the color will come darker and more brilliant. 

With the Christmas cactus it is a good idea to let them stay out until we get a couple of cool nights, around 50 degrees. This helps to set the buds that will give you great joy at Thanksgiving time and sometimes again at Christmas. 

There are many types of cactus out there. The cactus that you see now are usually true Christmas cactus which will bloom now until Christmas and sometimes a second time. The best way to take care of them is to let the soil dry out before watering again. Don't let the base of the pot sit in water as they don't like wet feet. Remove spent blossoms and use your leftover coffee mixed with water to water with. 

I look forward to next year when my cactus will bloom a little higher and stronger. Good luck and always remember to take cuttings for gifts. A living gift is a great joy to many.