Have A Merry Christmas Cactus
By: Susan Foster

Christmas Cacti have a lengthy and loving tradition in my family that is documented back to my grandparents through photographs. As I look back on my childhood photos, I encounter several images of myself in front of my parents‘ large and vibrant Christmas Cactus. This cactus always bloomed at Christmas and Easter and still does! After my mom and dad both passed away in the late 1990s, I commenced my investigation of the Christmas Cactus magic.

My oldest sister took the immense cactus that was half-a-century old! That first Christmas without my parents, their beloved cactus blossomed even more spectacularly than usual. The spirit from all those years of love and care that my parents had provided to each other and our family came through this plant. This was the moment I realized I needed a slip of this cactus to carry on the family Christmas Cactus tradition in my own home.

As I began my journey into the Christmas Cactus world, I found how relatively simple it is to start a plant from a slip and grow it into a prosperous thing of beauty. The perfect time to take a slip is after the cactus has finished blooming. A mature plant generally needs 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, before 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 prefer the potting soil made especially for cacti. Place your baby plants in an area 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 many varieties of Christmas Cacti, you will learn that some are easier to bloom every year than others. Since I got the slip from my parents‘ cactus, it has developed into a large thriving plant. I have also acquired a selection of cacti varying in stem structure, flower dimensions, and color. Some of my cacti bloom easily annually from their prescribed spot in our home, while others need the short-day treatment. This process ensures that you will have a flowering 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, put the plant back in its showcase spot for a beautiful, natural Christmas decoration and resume normal watering. Since I have many Christmas Cacti and other plants, I find that placing them in natural jute macrame hangers are a great way to display them, saving space and adding to my décor.

Yes, Christmas Cacti are beautiful, make ideal gifts, and can bring many years of enjoyment to your family.

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After 30 years of macrame crafting, Susan Foster began her own website, macramenia.com! She also enjoys her house plants, which is why she relishes displaying her indoor friends in a manner that is as natural and beautiful as possible. Macrame plant hangers are ideal for accomplishing that. Susan also offers an assortment of recommended indoor plant care books along with her Top 10 Indoor Plant Survival Tips eCourse absolutely FREE.

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