Christmas Cactus..Horticulturest question?

Richard · Apr 6, 2002

We have had a Christmas Cactus for several years now. As I understand it..it is supposed to bloom at, or near vicinity of Christmas, then simple green rest of year.

This past Christmas, ours had several blooms. Fine and dandy..Today however, this darn thing has dozens and dozens and dozens of blooms on it. FAR more than I have ever seen at Christmas time.

Any clue as to what gives? /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Richard

brewerbob · Apr 6, 2002

Richard:
We have one of the things too. It usually blooms around Thanksgiving, and is done by Christmas. This year, we moved it from one location to another. It bloomed sparsely at Christmas, and again at Easter. Only thing I can figure out is the move made some difference.
Bob

pajoube · Apr 6, 2002

There are about three different types of this type of castus. This will give you different times of the year for bloom. Some are called Easter cactus and some Christmas. You can tell the difference by the type of leaf. One has a flat leaf and one as a ridge down the center.
PJ

scruffy · Apr 6, 2002

To force the cactus to bloom, put it in a dark spot (closet will do) for 3 or 4 days, or longer if you wish.

Richard · Apr 7, 2002

Thanks for commenting. I just looked at it, the leaves are flat (by my definition) the very center of the leave "stalk" (?) is raised. The leaves are shaped generaly speaking like a wood boring, "spade" bit. Maybe 3/4" across. This thing has been in the kitchen for past 3 or 4 years, next to a window and I have no clue prior to that..(wifey always moving things). Today (after this past Christmas) , it has been moved to the living room. I suppose the living room being a corner of house, may provide MORE sunlight than the kitchen spot as the kitchen window faces essentially west, living room, south and west sides.

We have never seen this thing hold so many blooms...yes it HAS bloomed before...and typically at Christmas. Today though it looks like a boquet. She is totally baffled (and I personaly don't care /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif )

She was flapping her jaws about it (that comment will be our little secret /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif) and I like others here, sometimes get my verbal jabs for reading/visiting this site..so I told her..

"I'll bet I know ONE place where I can get some form of answer"...yes...she just rolled her eyes.../w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

Ok..guys..ya can't let me down on this one!!! We have a chance to make another wife a convert!!! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Just nees a plausable reason why this "Christmas" catus is blooming like a boquet in April..or is this maybe in fact, an Easter cactus? (of which I never knew existed)

Richard

pajoube · Apr 7, 2002

You are right, you have the Christmas Cactus because it has the flat leaves. It needs medium to high, indirect light. Keep soil evenly moist most of the year. Best temperature is average room, what is comfortable to you. To set buds, place in a dark, cool room, (about 55 degrees) and reduce watering, normally in the fall. Maybe when you moved the plant it had the same effect and put your plant in the blooming mood.
PJ

Richard · Apr 7, 2002

Thank you PJ..

What I have found out today.. Prior to this past Christmas, she put it in the (typically dark) basement for several weeks...at Christmas, we had some wimpy blooms. She then set it out where it is now..

She's simply flabbergasted at the number of blooms on this thing.

Got me. Maybe it is celebrating the Chinese Christmas? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Richard

Golfgar4 · Apr 8, 2002

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