Surviving Christmas

The Christmas cactus, also known as Orchid Cactus, is a great Christmas gift idea. Its a popular, winter-flowering houseplant native to Brazil.

These are "succulent" plants, preferring dry feet, but moist air. They are native to the rain forest, and so require a bit more moisture than their cacti cousins and other desert-dwelling succulents.

Blooms come in a range of colors from purple and magenta to pink, orange, cream and white.

This particular species blooms in winter, while its relatives, such as the Thanksgiving cactus and the Easter cactus, bloom in fall and spring respectively.

Christmas cactus have been kept as houseplants since at least the 1800's. They are usually available in bud or bloom from late October thru December. They can be found in a variety of tabletop sizes as well as in hanging baskets.

To keep your Christmas cactus looking its best, be sure to keep it in a cool, bright area, but out of direct sunlight. Do not place this plant near heat sources, vents or drafts.

Water it when the top inch or so of soil is dry to the touch, but do not let it stand in water, as this plant will drop its blooms and wilt.

These plants are easy to keep throughout the year, and can be encouraged to grow by pinching off the outer two or three stem segments after the flowers have faded.

Only pinch off one section if it happened to flower on a short stem.

Fertilize about once every three to four months with a 20-20-20 fertilizer, and be sure to stop from October until after the blooming cycle.

60 to 80 degrees is ideal, but for blooming the following year, a period of increasing darkness or cool temperatures is required.

You can keep them to natural daylight hours if you keep the temperature between 50 and 60 degrees 24/7 starting in early November. Otherwise, they need increasing darkness, culminating at 12 hours per day, starting in mid-October.

If one or both of these situations is developed, the Christmas cactus should be in full bloom by the holidays.