| My Christmas Cactus Tale |
There's a lengthy and loving tradition with Christmas Cacti in my family that is documented through pictures back to my grandparents. I encounter many images of myself in front of my parents' hale and hearty Christmas Cactus as I look back on my childhood photographs. This cactus without exception bloomed at Christmas and Easter and still does! I began my quest of the Christmas Cactus magic after both of my parents passed away in the late 1990s.
My oldest sister took the remarkable cactus that was half-a-century old! That first Christmas without my parents, their beloved cactus bloomed even more spectacularly than usual. The spirit from all those years of love and care that my parents had devoted to each other and our family lived on through this plant. This was the moment I realized I needed a slip of this cactus to extend the family Christmas Cactus tradition in my own home.
As I started my journey into world of the Christmas Cactus, I found how relatively easy it is to start a plant from a slip and grow it into a thriving thing of beauty. The ideal time to take a slip is after the cactus has finished blooming. A mature plant usually requires a good pruning after each blooming to keep the blossoms all around 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. Allow your chips to dry out a couple of days after pruning, prior to placing in the damp sand. You are ready to plant the slips once 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 a spot that gets 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 discover that some are easier to bloom every year than others. Since I got the slip from my parents' cactus, it has developed into a magnificent thriving plant. I have also added a wide assortment of cacti varying in stem structure, flower dimensions, and color. Some of my cacti bloom easily every year from their prescribed spot in our home, while others need the short-day treatment. This process ensures that you will have a blossoming plant during the Christmas season. Between mid-September and mid-October, place 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. Cease 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 spot for a beautiful, natural Christmas decoration and resume normal watering. Since I have numerous Christmas Cacti and other plants, I find that placing them in natural jute macrame hangers are a superb way to display them, saving space and adding to my décor.
Yes, Christmas Cacti are beautiful, make great gifts, and can bring many years of joy to your family.
Susan Foster has been an expert macrame crafter since the 1970s. She's still designing fresh projects and now supplying house plant information. Get her latest macrame creations and a FREE Christmas Cactus slip at  www.macramenia.com !
Article Source: UnArchived Articles
|
|
|
|
