I'm in mourning....

[pomtzu]

My poor Christmas Cactus died! It was a good size and over 20 years old, and I don't have the faintest idea what happened to it. A few years ago, one big section died off, but the rest of the plant thrived. Then this summer it started looking sick, and finally just succumbed to whatever ailed it.

I think I'm going to have to pay Maggie (Pinot's Mom) a visit, and make off with one of her huge ones! If that doesn't work, I'll be forced to pay a visit to a local nursery that sells them, and actually buy another and try again.

RIP pretty cactus. I'll miss you.

[chocolatepuppy]

Oh my, 20 years, that is sad.

[Pinot's Mom]

Aww, that's a shame, Ellie. I can't imagine what happened.

I've told you before, though, you're not big enough to carry mine out!

[caseysmom]

Maybe that was his normal life expectancy...he had a good run...rip christmas cactus.

[Karen]

If you wanna drive a bit further North, Dad has a huge one, and always has extras to give away!

[pomtzu]

I've told you before, though, you're not big enough to carry mine out!

You got that right! I was planning on bringing a helper to assist with one of those monsters. They sure are gorgeous!

If you wanna drive a bit further North, Dad has a huge one, and always has extras to give away!

Hmmm --- is it lavender? Most are the pinks and reds, and every time I see a lavender one I've been tempted to buy it, but of course I never did. Guess now I have a valid excuse to do it.

[Karen]

You got that right! I was planning on bringing a helper to assist with one of those monsters. They sure are gorgeous!



Hmmm --- is it lavender? Most are the pinks and reds, and every time I see a lavender one I've been tempted to buy it, but of course I never did. Guess now I have a valid excuse to do it.

Dad's are a peachy pink.

[lizbud]

Wow, 20 years old. That's a record isn't it? It had very pretty flowers.

I can't have plants inside, sigh. I have cats that go after any plant they see. I have to hide my cut flowers in my bedroom until the cats are asleep.

[Asiel]

I don't understand what could have happened either POM..my mom had one as far back as I can remember and it always thrived at Christmas time but would have another spurt during summer. It would go dormant for a few weeks at a time but that cactus still lives on. When my mom passed my brother asked to take it or take a clipping but I told him plants didn't do well with me so he could take the whole thing. I have heard some people say that if you handle certain plants and you happen to be on certain medications the plant will die... I really don't know if there's any truth in that, I don't have the greenest thumb...

[Freedom]

Goodness, after 20 years, it is no longer a plant it is FAMILY!

No idea what happened, as anytime I buy a plant we start planning it's funeral. So I'm not the one to ask, fur sure!

Sorry for your loss, Ellie.

Good news: this is the time of year to pick up a replacement!

[pomtzu]

These plants can get quite old - so 20 was middle age compared to some that I know of. When I was still working, a co-workers mother had one that was 35 - don't know if it's still around 6 years later, or not.

Before this one that just bit the dust, I had another very big one that was about 15, and in the course of moving and letting a former relative plant sit it for a month, she killed that one for me by watering it daily after I gave her specific instructions on how to care for it. I was furious!!!!

[Pinot's Mom]

Ellie ours are, at the very least, 35 years old; probably over 40. They are members of the family and we try not to upset them.

[pomtzu]

Ellie ours are, at the very least, 35 years old; probably over 40. They are members of the family and we try not to upset them.

Well - if you put it that way - I'll cancel the plant-nap attempt and let them stay in their happy home.

[Vette]

Aw so sorry to hear that =<

i have a philodendron thats somehow managed to survive my not-so-green thumb for many years. its not growing in new shoots as fast as it used to. i hope its not dieing on me. if it does i will be sad.

[koxka]

Goodness, after 20 years, it is no longer a plant it is FAMILY!

No idea what happened, as anytime I buy a plant we start planning it's funeral.

You are so funny!

Pomtzu:
Don't be sad.
Yesterday I bougth a pair of christmas cactus and looking for information about them, found out that the span of life of these plants are between fifteen and twenty years old.