I just wanted to give you some review on how some people like their Christmas Cactus. If you have a Story About your Christmas Cactus please let me know so we may share it with others. I will be placing on the site how you can order your own Christmas Cactus soon.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful plants5
I love these plants. They arrived in good shape. They are so easy to take care of. A little water and they turn dark green. I only regret not getting the salmon colored one and the pink star variety. Take my advice once you get one you love the easy care for them and the spectacular blooms (they have pedals that extend down a couple of inches to the center of the flower. They are literally 3D.) and the vivd colors.
A Must have..great gift idea too.5
My three arrived in fine condition, and very well packed, in only 3 days from date of my order. And, I'm across the country. Good job getting the order out right away by Hirts, and kudos to the Post Office.
These plants make a very nice gift especially before the holiday season, so they will be in bloom when Thankgiving and Christmas time rolls around. I've had these before when living in Northern California, but first time trying them here in the Desert Southwest, was last year, and I still have those plants.
These will stay indoors during summer months here like now, but should be fine outside sheltered most of the rest of the year, as we get cool nights here which these like, 6-7 months out of the year.
I ordered the Fuscia, Orange, and Peaches and Cream this time. Too soon for buds yet, but looking forward to these colors .
I am ordering again today from this vendor, as I need a couple more for gifts.
Nice and healthy5
Ordered 3 plants of different colors last weekend and promptly got it this week. This one is nice and healthy with several branches. Looking forward to seeing it grow to the size in the pictures with the nice flowers.
Friday, December 25, 2009
My Christmas Cactus Is Now Starting To Drop Blooms
My Christmas Cactus Is now starting to drop its blooms that was so beautiful this Christmas. Its showing signs that the blooming time is almost over as its has begun to drop its flowers that had just been hanging at the end of each section of my big beautiful Christmas Cactus. As the blooms die and being falling off I know its all most time for me to let it rest for a few months. I will then move it to a new resting place where I will let it rest till its time to begin to fertilize it for the new growth to begin in the spring. I will still water my cactus not letting it remain dry all the time. Around the end of February I will start to feed it so that the new growth is health.
I lost a piece of my Christmas Cactus recently and I want to show everyone how to replant it. I will be making a small movie and display it on the site. But for now if you have a piece drop off do not trash it if the piece of the Christmas Cactus is in good health. Place it on a zip lock bag and use a small spray bottle to mist inside the bag and zip the bag up, but remember every 2 days or so you will have to reopen the bag and remist it till you get it planted. To plant please pick up some Christmas Cactus Potting Soil, a small pot with a drain hole on the bottom and a saucer to let the plant excess water to run off in it.
I lost a piece of my Christmas Cactus recently and I want to show everyone how to replant it. I will be making a small movie and display it on the site. But for now if you have a piece drop off do not trash it if the piece of the Christmas Cactus is in good health. Place it on a zip lock bag and use a small spray bottle to mist inside the bag and zip the bag up, but remember every 2 days or so you will have to reopen the bag and remist it till you get it planted. To plant please pick up some Christmas Cactus Potting Soil, a small pot with a drain hole on the bottom and a saucer to let the plant excess water to run off in it.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Christmas Cactus at Christmas Time
My Christmas Cactus is still blooming as its Christmas time. With the snow falling outside and we expect 10 to 20 inches in the next few days. My Christmas Cactus will add color to my home. With its beautiful blooms and buds still showing its beauty. I will move it away from the window just a bit. This way I am sure the Christmas Cactus will not get any cold drafts for the harsh weather we are having.
I will soon let my Christmas Cactus rest after its finished blooming by placing it in a darker area and cutting back on the water I give it for a few weeks. Once the Christmas Cactus looks up from its nap I will begin watering it again and add plant food. At that same time I will check my pot I have it in and make sure the pot is not to small or cracked. Then I will add a little fresh dirt to the pot and watch signs of new life. With in just a few weeks you will see small leaves begin to pop out. I will return it to the table where it gets more light from my window.
I hope your Christmas Cactus is giving you great pleasure as it blooms for you this holiday season.
I will soon let my Christmas Cactus rest after its finished blooming by placing it in a darker area and cutting back on the water I give it for a few weeks. Once the Christmas Cactus looks up from its nap I will begin watering it again and add plant food. At that same time I will check my pot I have it in and make sure the pot is not to small or cracked. Then I will add a little fresh dirt to the pot and watch signs of new life. With in just a few weeks you will see small leaves begin to pop out. I will return it to the table where it gets more light from my window.
I hope your Christmas Cactus is giving you great pleasure as it blooms for you this holiday season.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Cactus At Home Depot.
The Christmas Cactus at Home Depot were very beautiful this year. Recently We went to pick a few things up at Home Depot to decorate our home when I spotted them just at the door to go into their garden center. A large display of Christmas Cactus sitting on a 3 tear table. The colors were just fantastic as they were in bloom reds, pinks, whites,rose and other shades also. They have large pots and smaller pots and even hanging pots of this beautiful holiday plant. There were also poinsettia there but my eye went to the cactus as always. Some already in full bloom while others just in bud.
While I admire all the pots and inspected them I could not decide which one I wanted. There was a pot that must of fallen and a broke several of the stems off, it looked beat up and placed in a cart where a employee was removing it off the shelf where it had been sitting. I asked her what would she do with it and she told me they discard it and put it in the trash that "no one will buy it" she said. I asked what they would sell it for and she said she was not sure that she would have to find out. About 10 minutes later she found me in the Christmas Decoration isle and she asked me if I still wanted it. Sure I replied how much, she told me her manager said 25 cents as it was all broken and they would of just trashed it any way. She had tagged it mark down and I placed it in my cart to bring home.
I went over to the bags of potting soil and grabbed a small bag of soil for my Christmas Cactus. I picked up a nice red pot that would look nice for next year when it will bloom again for me. I picked up a few more odds and ends for the tree for this year and checked out paying for my Christmas Cactus and other items I had placed in my cart.
After I got home I took the broken pieces and put on the side, then I put the main part of the plant in the new pot and pressed it down adding more potting soil around it. I made a small hole with my finger and placed the broken pieces in the dirt hoping that they will root. I water my Christmas Cactus and placed a clear bag over the top of it and placed it in the back room where my other Christmas Cactus are. Giving it a new home. I will keep checking on it to see if with in a few weeks if it has begun to root. I love my new Christmas Cactus.
While I admire all the pots and inspected them I could not decide which one I wanted. There was a pot that must of fallen and a broke several of the stems off, it looked beat up and placed in a cart where a employee was removing it off the shelf where it had been sitting. I asked her what would she do with it and she told me they discard it and put it in the trash that "no one will buy it" she said. I asked what they would sell it for and she said she was not sure that she would have to find out. About 10 minutes later she found me in the Christmas Decoration isle and she asked me if I still wanted it. Sure I replied how much, she told me her manager said 25 cents as it was all broken and they would of just trashed it any way. She had tagged it mark down and I placed it in my cart to bring home.
I went over to the bags of potting soil and grabbed a small bag of soil for my Christmas Cactus. I picked up a nice red pot that would look nice for next year when it will bloom again for me. I picked up a few more odds and ends for the tree for this year and checked out paying for my Christmas Cactus and other items I had placed in my cart.
After I got home I took the broken pieces and put on the side, then I put the main part of the plant in the new pot and pressed it down adding more potting soil around it. I made a small hole with my finger and placed the broken pieces in the dirt hoping that they will root. I water my Christmas Cactus and placed a clear bag over the top of it and placed it in the back room where my other Christmas Cactus are. Giving it a new home. I will keep checking on it to see if with in a few weeks if it has begun to root. I love my new Christmas Cactus.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
How To Get Your Christmas Cactus To Bloom
One of the most popular flowering plants around the holidays is the Schlumbergera bridgesii also know as The Christmas Cactus. These plant are from the Zygo- cactus family. They are a native to Central and South America. This plant is also called cacti but they are truly different then the common desert cactus with which we are familiar. These plants are called epiphytes and are found in the same environments as orchids. Like the orchids they are found in the branches of a tree that has been decaying with leaves and other natural debris. They are a tropical Cacti, their cultural requirements are very different from a true Cacti.
Hybridization had created resulted in new varieties of the Cactus, The Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus and Easter Cactus all bloom at different times of the year.
To get your Cactus to bloom during Christmas you will need to take these steps in September and October. Begin by moving them to a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 to 60 degrees during the night. They should not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Keep them in a room where it will remain dark at night. Make sure there is no lamp left on as this is artificial light and will effect the budding process of your Cactus.( Turn off Computer Monitor if you have it on as it to will effect your budding process.
During September and October cut back the water you give your Christmas Cactus. You need to water it once a week when it is dried out. Never water from the top as it causes the plant roots to rot. Do not let it sit in a lot of excess water. Water only from the bottom. Let your plant soak up the water and remove any left. During the Spring and Summer months water your cactus like you would any other house plant. ( A good rule of thumb is to water the plant thoroughly and then as the soil dries out about a inch down in the soil its time to water it again.)
The Christmas Cactus needs indirect bright light during the day time and darkness at night. It requires about 60 percent humidity. You can get a small tray place gravel or stone in it fill the tray 1/4 of the way up with water. Now place your plant on the tray and let your Christmas Cactus get the humidity as the water begins to evaporate. Just let the plant use what it needs this is a easy way to give it the humidity it will must have.
Keep your Christmas Cactus away from fireplaces, heaters, door ways to the out side and drafty areas. As these changes in temperature can hurt your blooming process.
It can be very flustrating if the buds form and begin to develop and the begin dropping off this is caused by several things, to much water, not enough darkness, insufficient light or the lack of humidity.
You may fertilize The Christmas Cactus in late October and again in Feb using a liquid fertilizer 0-10-10. During the growing season fertilize the plant with a all purpose liquid house plant fertilizer. The nitrogen in your fertilizer should be no more then 10 percent ( its also the first number given on the bottle of fertilizer 0-10-10) someone once told me at the nursery.
After the Christmas holiday, the Christmas cactus should be given 30 days to rest keeping it back in a cool room with a small amount of water once again. It may loses a few leaves or the joints may appear weak during the resting period. Don't worry it will be alright.
Do not prune your Christmas Cactus at this time. The best time to prune the cactus is when the new growth begins in early spring around March or April. If your plant needs repotting its best to do around February, March and April.
The Cactus also loved to be crowded in a pot and will flower the best if kept in a container that lets it be root bound. If the Christmas Cactus is kept in the proper place with the proper care it is not unusual for it to flower more then once a year.
Christmas Cactus come in many colors and shades of reds, yellows, pinks, whites. I hope you have a chance to get one of The Christmas Cactus this holiday season. They also make great gifts.
Hybridization had created resulted in new varieties of the Cactus, The Christmas Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus and Easter Cactus all bloom at different times of the year.
To get your Cactus to bloom during Christmas you will need to take these steps in September and October. Begin by moving them to a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 to 60 degrees during the night. They should not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Keep them in a room where it will remain dark at night. Make sure there is no lamp left on as this is artificial light and will effect the budding process of your Cactus.( Turn off Computer Monitor if you have it on as it to will effect your budding process.
During September and October cut back the water you give your Christmas Cactus. You need to water it once a week when it is dried out. Never water from the top as it causes the plant roots to rot. Do not let it sit in a lot of excess water. Water only from the bottom. Let your plant soak up the water and remove any left. During the Spring and Summer months water your cactus like you would any other house plant. ( A good rule of thumb is to water the plant thoroughly and then as the soil dries out about a inch down in the soil its time to water it again.)
The Christmas Cactus needs indirect bright light during the day time and darkness at night. It requires about 60 percent humidity. You can get a small tray place gravel or stone in it fill the tray 1/4 of the way up with water. Now place your plant on the tray and let your Christmas Cactus get the humidity as the water begins to evaporate. Just let the plant use what it needs this is a easy way to give it the humidity it will must have.
Keep your Christmas Cactus away from fireplaces, heaters, door ways to the out side and drafty areas. As these changes in temperature can hurt your blooming process.
It can be very flustrating if the buds form and begin to develop and the begin dropping off this is caused by several things, to much water, not enough darkness, insufficient light or the lack of humidity.
You may fertilize The Christmas Cactus in late October and again in Feb using a liquid fertilizer 0-10-10. During the growing season fertilize the plant with a all purpose liquid house plant fertilizer. The nitrogen in your fertilizer should be no more then 10 percent ( its also the first number given on the bottle of fertilizer 0-10-10) someone once told me at the nursery.
After the Christmas holiday, the Christmas cactus should be given 30 days to rest keeping it back in a cool room with a small amount of water once again. It may loses a few leaves or the joints may appear weak during the resting period. Don't worry it will be alright.
Do not prune your Christmas Cactus at this time. The best time to prune the cactus is when the new growth begins in early spring around March or April. If your plant needs repotting its best to do around February, March and April.
The Cactus also loved to be crowded in a pot and will flower the best if kept in a container that lets it be root bound. If the Christmas Cactus is kept in the proper place with the proper care it is not unusual for it to flower more then once a year.
Christmas Cactus come in many colors and shades of reds, yellows, pinks, whites. I hope you have a chance to get one of The Christmas Cactus this holiday season. They also make great gifts.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My Christmas Cactus
Yes The Christmas Cactus Is Blooming
Recently I seen the first bud start to form on The Christmas Cactus and ran to get my 4 year old granddaughter Erica. Showing her the tip of the bud as it popped out of the dark green plant.
I remember my mom showing me the same thing every year around this time. Just after Thanksgiving we would start to watch the plant for signs that it would begin to bud up and bloom. Mom would feel the tip of the plant just in the middle and say to me "not yet hon soon though". As we waited for it to start I was always so excited as mom would sometimes let me feel the end of the plant. She would ask me is it budding yet and I would shake my head no. My mom would feel another leaf of the plant till she felt 3 or 4 of them and tell me "give it time it will bloom" She was always right to, it did bloom. The Christmas Cactus was moms favorite plant.
I can say I do love my Christmas Cactus as I am teaching Erica to watch for the buds. Erica has become a great little gardener at the age of 4. I think its about the same age I was when mom began to teach me about it. This article is dedicated to my mom that passed away August 23, 2000. The picture on my site is my own Christmas Cactus as it blooms.
Recently I seen the first bud start to form on The Christmas Cactus and ran to get my 4 year old granddaughter Erica. Showing her the tip of the bud as it popped out of the dark green plant.
I remember my mom showing me the same thing every year around this time. Just after Thanksgiving we would start to watch the plant for signs that it would begin to bud up and bloom. Mom would feel the tip of the plant just in the middle and say to me "not yet hon soon though". As we waited for it to start I was always so excited as mom would sometimes let me feel the end of the plant. She would ask me is it budding yet and I would shake my head no. My mom would feel another leaf of the plant till she felt 3 or 4 of them and tell me "give it time it will bloom" She was always right to, it did bloom. The Christmas Cactus was moms favorite plant.
I can say I do love my Christmas Cactus as I am teaching Erica to watch for the buds. Erica has become a great little gardener at the age of 4. I think its about the same age I was when mom began to teach me about it. This article is dedicated to my mom that passed away August 23, 2000. The picture on my site is my own Christmas Cactus as it blooms.
Welcome To The Christmas Cactus
Welcome to The Christmas Cactus . This site provides tips and techniques for growing and caring for The Christmas Cactus.If you have questions not covered please feel free to email your questions to me about your Christmas Cactus.
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