Christmas Cactus help bring cheer to the holidays

Looking for some bright colors to help celebrate the season? The varied array of colors of the Christmas cactus may be your answer. Christmas cactus are available in shades of yellow to orange, to hot pink, white or red.

You may know these plants as Easter Cactus or Thanksgiving cactus aptly named based on their bloom time. This popular winter flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor areas. Christmas cactus are easy to take care of and make great holiday gifts.

Christmas cactus adapt easily to most lighting conditions. You will find more blossoming in brighter locations but be careful not to place in direct sun. Too much sun can cause leaves to scorch. Ideal temperatures for this plant are between 60-70 degrees.

As for watering, water thoroughly, then allow to dry slightly between waterings. Christmas cactus enjoy high humidity. Place your plant on top of pebbles in a saucer filled with water to achieve this. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this will rot the roots and lead the demise of your cactus. Fertilize every two to three weeks with a mild water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer.

Propagation of these plants is relatively easy too. Twist off, rather then cut, short pieces of the stem, preferably one to three sections long, from the tip of the plant. Allow these cuttings to dry for 2-7 days, allowing the cut to callus at the torn end. Plant these cuttings a quarter of its length in a slightly sandy soil and place in a well lit area. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy until new growth appears. This should occur in two to three weeks at which time the new cutting can be transplanted into a new container if desired. Keep temperatures a minimum of 70 degrees warm or warmer to encourage roots to sprout quickly.

I have clients who have told me they have Christmas cactus as old as 50 years which have been passed down from family members. Once you find the right location and know the care, you can manage these plants with ease and achieve great results. Once these plants find their happy home, they may reward you with more blooms during different times of the year. Why not add one of these gems to your holiday wish list? You will be awfully glad you did