We have a Christmas Cactus, several actually. Nancy has combined three smaller plants – given to us as previous holiday presents – into one, large Christmas Cactus pot. Except, our plants do not pay attention to the calendar. It (they) usually blooms at Thanksgiving. Like small children, they just can’t wait for Christmas Day.
Native to Brazil, there are several varieties of Holiday Cactus – including a Thanksgiving Cactus and an Easter Cactus. The pants also grow tall, many reaching two feet in just a couple of years.
They all have beautiful blooms including red, white, purple, orange and pink. Ours is a combination with some red and some white blooms.
Cactus plants don’t need much watering. Gardeners say to let the soil dry almost completely between waterings. When watering, however, they suggest watering the plant thoroughly, allowing excess water to run out through the drainage holes. Let the soil dry almost completely between waterings. You will know if the soil is too dry when the leaves start to pucker and shrivel.
While we were pleased to have a plant of any description that bloomed in winter, even if it was Thanksgiving, a friend of ours, Leah Leffler, suggested that we refrain from watering the plant and it would likely bloom at Christmas. Nancy slowed down the watering, and sure enough, our plants are just beginning to bloom. By tomorrow, Christmas Day, they should be nearing full bloom.
To make sure your Christmas Cactus behaves and blooms when Santa comes, hold off on the watering part.