I've got a few Christmas cactuses (cacti?) at home in NJ and here in MD, in various stages of buds and blossoms. I take lots of photos when they bloom since it's a once-a-year event, plus I think they're beautiful. I'd like to share them with you, and maybe again later when these buds open up.
The
destructive rodents squirrels in NJ decided that they wanted to chew on my big hanging plant, but it does have a few buds and I'm hoping for more. Stay tuned ...
This photo below is the one my SiL divided and gave me just this year. They're a little tough to see in the photo, but it's got about 50 buds!
These plants have made me anxious to get to MD if I'm in NJ and vice versa. For the next couple of weeks I'm going to be surprised and delighted by my Christmas cactuses in both places!
So beautiful. and 50 buds?? WOW!!! My aunt in VT for years had a GIANT Christmas cactus that bloomed beautifully. I managed to get some of it and my plant bloomed for years...but recently (last 8 years or so) nary a bloom or bud any time of year! I'm just about ready to trash it and buy a new one (little patience here).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We've got one and it's blooming now. You're making me think I should go buy a couple more!
ReplyDeleteMine (I have two; both that bright pink variety) are just finishing up with their blooming. (The tend to be Thanksgiving cacti.) Sometimes they bloom a second time, but not every year. (When they do, it's closer to Easter.) I love the light blooms on your "new" cactus. So delicate and lovely. XO
ReplyDeleteEvery year I say I am going to get a Christmas cactus, and every year I talk myself out of it. These are already lovely, Bonny, and they look as if they are going to be spectacular in full bloom. Lots of anticipation to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThose are so lovely! That bright burst of color is so very welcome during the dark days of this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThey are just so beautiful! I left mine outside too long this fall (I kinda forgot about it) and I killed it. So sad.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! 50 buds, wow! That one will be amazing in full bloom!
ReplyDeleteOh my... that's going to be amazing! All of them, everywhere! :)
ReplyDeleteBonny i love when you post your xmas cactus pictures. My favorite is your purple one,you showed it last year too and it's just beautiful. I bought one (not purple) on sale last year for 75 cents and it's now blooming, more red than pink. Please treat us again! I've never seen a purple one.
ReplyDeleteThat one had some buds, but no flowers when I left NJ. Hopefully they will have opened when I'm back in NJ next week and I'll take some photos just for you!
DeleteI too love the Christmas cactus photos. You really know how to grow them well. One year my neighbor and I put ours together on my north porch for the summer and they bloomed very well once we brought them inside in the fall. We were thrilled that putting them together seemed to work. have you heard of this?
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this, but if it works, that's a good thing! I think blooming has something to do with limiting watering to enable the plant to enter dormancy and making sure it gets 12-14 hours of darkness. Bright light during the day is okay, but they need at least 12 hours of darkness at night for bud development.
Deletemy christmas cactus that has religiously bloomed each year has not bloomed because Holly was nibbling it so I moved it to the bathroom. I don't think it likes it there and is not blooming in defiance. Yours are glorious!!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a green thumb. Wow. I am officially going in search of some pink Christmas cacti. Mine gave up the ghost early this fall. It bloomed faithfully at Thanksgiving for many years.
ReplyDeleteWow, Bonny - what a stunning display! I love that you have them in both houses so you can enjoy them all time.
ReplyDeleteYou have some beauties! What a great idea to have them in both homes so you never miss out! I have been babying mine through the last year and I went to the local nursery to ask the best way to get it to bloom. After I put it in a room that was completely dark for about 10-12 hours it started to produce buds. They're now growing larger and I expect blossoms before Christmas! squeee
ReplyDeleteI wish I could grow Christmas cacti...they seem to just die on the vine...Yours are so lovely
ReplyDeleteGreat Cacti. They might like a 'little neglect' of your not being there to over mother them? I think overwatering is one of their big killers? But so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteA little neglect is often a good thing with plants. It does help me avoid overwatering and other sins!
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