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How
to Grow Christmas & Thanksgiving Cactuses
By Monica Resinger
I
love Christmas and Thanksgiving cactuses. These plants are so easy
to take care of. The flowers are gorgeous, come in an array of colors,
and come right when we need them -- usually when it's cold and flowerless
outdoors. A houseplant that flowers and doesn't take much to take
care of is a big plus in my book! They can be grown in hanging baskets
or regular pots.
Care
My Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus bloom every year now. They
didn't always before. The main difference has been that my plants
have become root bound. The other difference is temperature -- they
like it cool so I moved mine to a cooler area of the house. If they
get too warm, the buds will fall off. I'd say 68* or under is what
they prefer. A south-facing window with filtered light also helps,
and only an occasional feeding when they are actively growing. I
think where people go wrong with these is giving them too much attention.
Too much water will cause them to die. Let the plant dry between
waterings to the point where the leaves start to shrivel. This is
all I do to my cactuses, and they bloom reliably every year. Sometimes
they even give me a second show!
These
plants can last you a lifetime! My grandma has a plant that has
been in the family for over 60 years! Two of my three plants are
plants made from taking cuttings from hers. Let me tell you how
to do that.
Propagation
It's very easy to propagate Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactuses.
All you need is a small pot of moist potting soil, a Christmas or
Thanksgiving cactus to take a cutting from and rooting hormone is
helpful, but not necessary. Simply clip off a four-segment piece;
dip the cut end into rooting hormone if desired, then push the cut
end into the soil about an inch or so. From there, the only thing
you have to do is be sure the soil stays moist. It will stay moist
longer if you prop a see through plastic bag over it. To do this,
you can insert a popsicle stick into the soil, then drape the plastic
over that. Rooted and growing cuttings of these make wonderful gifts
to friends and family. Put them in a pretty pot and attach a bow
and card then they're ready to give!
Descriptions
There's a difference between Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus.
Christmas cactus segments are scalloped and Thanksgiving cactus
segments are toothed. Well, that is what I know about growing Thanksgiving
and Christmas cactus. I hope it will help you in growing yours!
Copyright
©, 2000, Monica Resinger
Monica Resinger is editor/founder of Creative Gardening newsletter,
a FREE and fun interactive ezine. Each Monday you'll be able read,
answer or ask gardening questions! Also included in the ezine is
a gardening article and a seed swap. To subscribe, send a blank
e-mail to: CreativeGardening-subscribe@onelist.com To find out about
Monica's other free ezines, go here: http://www.geocities.com/plantldy.geo
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