Take Care Of Your Christmas Cactus
There's a long and loving tradition with Christmas Cacti in my family that is recorded through photographs back to my grandparents. I encounter many images of myself in front of my parents' large and vibrant Christmas Cactus as I look back on my childhood pictures. This cactus invariably bloomed at Christmas and Easter and still does! I commenced my research of the Christmas Cactus magic after both of my parents passed away in the late 1990s.
My eldest sister took the immense cactus that was 50 years old! That first Christmas without my parents, their beloved cactus flowered even more magnificently than usual. The spirit from all those years of love and care that my parents had given to each other and our family came through this plant. This was the moment I decided I needed a slip of this cactus to extend the family Christmas Cactus tradition in my own home.
As I started my journey into the Christmas Cactus world, I discovered how relatively easy it is to start a plant from a slip and grow it into a prosperous thing of beauty. The optimal time to take a slip is after the cactus has finished blooming. A mature plant usually needs a good pruning after each blooming to maintain the blossoms all over the plant as the flowers form at the end of each stem. These pruned stems are perfect for starting new plants that can be ready as flowering gifts by next Christmas! Once you have your slips, they can easily be rooted in damp sand. This also makes them easy to mail or transport. Let your slips dry out a couple of days after pruning, prior to placing in the damp sand. You are ready to plant the slips as soon as a good root system is established. Plant several slips in a pot with a good-draining potting soil. I use the potting soil made especially for cacti. Place your baby plants in an area that receives bright, filtered light. Keep your new plants evenly moist when watering, and wait until the soil is dry in between watering.
As there are numerous varieties of Christmas Cacti, you will learn that some are easier to blossom every year than others. Since I got the slip of my parents' cactus, it has developed into a mighty thriving plant. I have also acquired a variety of cacti varying in stem structure, flower dimensions, and color. Some of my cacti blossom easily every year from their prescribed spot in our home, while others prefer the short-day treatment. This process ensures that you will have a budding plant during the Christmas season. Between mid-September and mid-October, put your plant into a cool room that you don't use in the evening, or even a closet, so the plant is in darkness at least 12 hours each day. Stop watering at this point and don't water for 3-4 weeks until the flower buds develop or the plant begins to go limp. Once the buds have formed, place the plant back in its showcase location for a beautiful, natural Christmas decoration and resume regular watering. Since I have numerous Christmas Cacti and other plants, I find that placing them in natural jute macrame hangers are a superb manner to display them, saving space and adding to my decor.
Yes, Christmas Cacti are fun, make perfect gifts, and can bring many years of enjoyment to your family.
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