Some dear friends gave us a beautiful Christmas arrangement containing a little cedar and a Christmas cactus. When we received this lovely planter, the cactus was merely in bud, but it has now opened into glorious fans or fuchsia-red petals, and looks beautiful!
But now, how to care for it? Time for some research. First, some interesting little factoids! The “Schlumbergera bridgesii” or Christmas Cactus might be called a cactus but it is not: it actually comes from the tropical rain forest. It is an epiphyte, like an orchid. So the plant likes humid conditions, but it does not like its feet to be wet. I read that we should keep it “root-bound” in sandy soil, and water it only when it feels dry. When watering, add the water and let the excess run out before putting it back in its saucer or pot.
(An extra note: we can keep it in a drip tray filled with small stones, but never let the water rise above the level of the stones. However, a little water below the level of the stones will give the plant some humidity, and it will like that!)
The Christmas cactus likes moderate, partial light. In the winter, when the sun is not as strong, we could put it in an east window, but in the summer, we have to be careful that it is not in direct hot sun so that it doesn’t get sunburn!
Another little factoid: the Christmas cactus is thermo-photoperiodic. That two-dollar word means that the temperature of the room where it is kept, and the amount of light that it gets there, will determine blooming. To encourage buds to form on our Christmas cactus, we should make sure that the temperature at night is between 50-55 degrees. Also, our little plant will need 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness: and that means no light. I read that we should even cover the plant with a black garbage bag to ensure that it gets total darkness at night.
I also read that after the plant has finished blooming, we should give it a holiday. The plant will need several weeks of rest after it is done blooming, and we are told not to worry if it loses a few leaves and looks a little limp. We should put in in a cool room and give it limited water.
Problem areas? Giving the plant too much water, or having it in a drafty location, will make the buds fall off. And it does not like to be moved. Yes, the plant requires a little extra care, but it is well worth the trouble because of the beautiful holiday show! And remember, this is a plant that can be very long-lived with the correct care! You will certainly add a note of holiday beauty to your home with the exotic Christmas cactus!
When the weather is cold and blustery, there is something very thrilling about having flowers in the house. It is such a treat to see their delicate beauty when winter rages just outside the window! I remember one very cold, very stormy Christmas, and my sweet hubby Keith came in with beautiful little arrangements of roses for me, Mom and my sister. Each arrangement was small and perfect, each in a different beautiful color. Mine was with apricot sweetheart roses, and it was one of the loveliest things to receive on that bitter winter day! As we set the table for our Christmas Eve meal, the flowers in the middle of the table brought a reminder of hope of the spring to come, and enhanced the wonder and miracle of that Christmas night.
So treat yourself or someone you love to flowers or a flowering plant this Christmas season: it will rejuvenate your spirit! Have a great week and stay warm! Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca
