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50-year-old Christmas Cactus, my longest relationship.
At seventeen, I started this Christmas Cactus from two cuttings in Michigan. The parents of my boyfriend had a large Christmas Cactus that I admired. She helped me take cuttings.
A "Thanksgiving type" Christmas cactus, it blooms from November to April.
When she was little, Claire and I lay on our backs underneath it looking up. "The flowers look like butterflies!" Claire said delightedly.
"Christmas cactus are epiphytes that grow in the crotches of trees in the South American rain forest," Pamela, a Ph.D. botanist, explained. She uses a bullwhip to remove epiphytes from trees in the rain forest.
"During the month of October, deprive the Christmas cactus of water and extra light after dark," Pamela said. "The plant thinks it's dying. It throws out flower to produce seeds to propagate the species."
So, I decamp to read in a bedroom instead of the living room where this huge plant resides.
In early November I began watering it again, lightly at first. It has over a hundred flower buds. (I gave up counting.) Two weeks later, I fertilized it with half-strength Miracle Grow to plump up the flower buds.
Flowers in winter are beautiful and uplifting.
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LiterateHiker
Level 9
Dec 2, 2020
1
@BudFrank, @Triphid, @RoyMillar, @Robert_2001, @HankSherman, @HippieChick, @SpongeBub, @Dhiltong, @LucyLooHoo, @DenoPenno
Plants die if they get dried out in the center. To prevent this, I put ice cubes on top of the soil. The ice slowly melts, trickling down into the center of the plant.
Seven years ago, the Christmas Cactus looked like it was dying. I lifted the pot from the stand and staggered into the bathroom. Set it in the tub. I filled the tub with lukewarm water over the pot rim. The plant bubbled furiously. After soaking for two hours, the bubbling stopped. Then drained it thoroughly (keeping dirt from clogging the drain).
The hardest part was lifting the heavy, wet pot out of the tub! Staggered to the living room and with difficulty, lifted it onto the stand. Of course this hurt my back.
My back survived. The plant thrived.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
Nov 29, 2020
1
You obliviously don't feel comfortable asking for help...can't believe there would'nt be many around that would offer.
I am comfortable asking for help. Nobody was home.
@LiterateHiker I understand. Just not patient.
It is a beautiful cactus, but is is amazing you kept it for 50 years.
Robert_2001
Level 6
Nov 28, 2020
3
Evidently you have given much love and attention to this relationship. Beautiful.
HankSherman
Level 8
Nov 28, 2020
2
Love the colors. I used to have Christmas cactus, my current house is not a great place for plants, and my housemates are death on plants. (damn cats) One day maybe I will try Christmas Cactus again.
HippieChick58
Level 9
Nov 28, 2020
4
Mine's just put out buds! Wonderful that you've been a ''good parent'' to your plant for FIFTY YEARS!
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
Nov 28, 2020
3
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