The Unexpected Lessons from a Christmas Cactus

Happy New Year! I am writing this a little overwhelmed with the process of putting away Christmas mess at the greenhouse. However, with cleaning up and putting away there is an excitement for the New Year ahead. My first year in Christmas retail was a success in many ways, but mostly in the unexpected lessons.

Originally, I wanted to do a "how to get your Christmas cactus to bloom" post. I have heard from several people frustrated and then on the opposite end, total glee from one that does. This plant is a simple delight and pleasure to have some color in our winter months. I always get a kick out of gardeners whose photo reels contain more plants than people. I did get my friend Serene to pose with her gorgeous Christmas cactus.

Some simple "How To's" to get a Christmas Cactus to bloom

WATER: Start cutting back the water, water only when the soil is dry to the touch.

LIGHT: To set blooms, your Christmas Cactus needs 12-14 hours of darkness a day. Bright indirect light during the day is fine, but then find a way to cut back the day length. I have customers that draw the blinds, put a blanket over it, or put it in a closet.

TEMPERATURE: Cooler temps that average to 55 is perfect

These three steps encourage dormancy which is critical for Christmas Cactus to set blooms. These steps need to be taken for six to eight weeks or until you see bud growth. When you see those buds form, boy it is a thrill and so worth the work!

I want to say thank you for these friends telling me their Christmas Cactus stories. Here are just a few and of course I never tire of hearing any of them!

This tiny Christmas Cactus was given to my sister-in-law Kelli from her late sister-in-law. At the time, Kelli thought what a waste of time, I will surely kill it. But we all know what tough little plants these are, and a year later, this plant bloomed all on its own on her kitchen windowsill. Once again, a simple plant brought back joy and memories.

The plant on the right is from our Park County Cody Library. When the library was built, this ancient 80-year-old plant was gifted to them. It now is close to 100 years old and in my opinion, a true Park County treasure. It was just starting to set bloom when a customer sent me this photo.

I have so many other stories that people have told me: including my friend Maria, her Christmas Cactus affectionally named "Grandmother". It is over 60 years old, started as a cutting, started in Washington state, moved to North Carolina, then back to Wyoming.

These are my unexpected lessons and I thank you for all of them. I get so wrapped up in the horticulture of plants that I forget there is so much behind why we garden and gift with plants. I also don't take for granted the pain the holidays can bring for many of you. Some of you have shared the deep pain of a first Holiday season without a spouse, parent, child, friend. Please know that you are not alone. There are people who care, and there is a God who loves you and sees you. Yes, I just mixed business and religion, oh well!

Happy New Year my dear customers! Thank you for your support and I can't wait to talk plants with you in 2023!