Christmas cactus & orchid plants

[Randi]

The cactus you have we call November cactus here, so it's quite normal it blooms in Nov. Mine does too. I think it blooms again sometime in the spring, too, as far as I remember. It really doesn't need much care.

Concerning the Orchid, you have to be patient. The one you have sounds good and healthy and you'll see a new stalk in a few months time. I bought a cheap little one a few years ago and it just keeps getting more beautiful green leaves and is blossoming at least two times a year. Orchids doesn't like draft and should only be watered once a week - and be careful not to let it sit in blazing sun during summer.

[cassiesmom]

My dad has two Christmas cactuses (cacti?) that bloom faithfully every year ... around Thanksgiving. He calls it his Thanksgiving cactus. Sometimes it blooms again around this time of the year. He just got a little new one that has buds on it now. We still enjoy them whenever they decide to bloom!

[Karen]

Christmas cactuses will bloom much of the year if the conditions are right. It all has to do with the amount of daylight they get. The ones currently languishing in my (naturally dark) kitchen blossom once a year at best, one or two feeble flowers. But when these same plants were at my last office, they blossomed continually, from about Veteran's Day to after Easter. There they sat in a West-facing window that was unobstructed, so got the afternoon sun all winter long.

[Pinot's Mom]

The aforementioned "huge" cacti are in full bloom at this moment. They bloom at Thanksgiving(ish) and Easter(ish). Since Easter is late this year I think they're confused.

And, as far as making off with either of the REALLY huge ones - Ellie, you would need some pretty heavy equipment!

[pomtzu]

And, as far as making off with either of the REALLY huge ones - Ellie, you would need some pretty heavy equipment!

If the next time I come to your house, I have a muscle man escorting me, then you'll know what I'm up to!



Yes - they are heavy. Even my big one, which is small compared to yours, seems like it weighs a ton. I have it hanging in the front window, and if I have to take it down for any reason, I have to recruit someone to do it for me.

[pomtzu]

The cactus you have we call November cactus here, so it's quite normal it blooms in Nov. Mine does too. I think it blooms again sometime in the spring, too, as far as I remember. It really doesn't need much care.

Concerning the Orchid, you have to be patient. The one you have sounds good and healthy and you'll see a new stalk in a few months time. I bought a cheap little one a few years ago and it just keeps getting more beautiful green leaves and is blossoming at least two times a year. Orchids doesn't like draft and should only be watered once a week - and be careful not to let it sit in blazing sun during summer.

Well from what everyone is saying, I guess my cactus isn't an oddball afterall!

I have the orchid on a plant stand at my front window and it only gets the sun till mid to late morning. It gets "watered" once a week with 3 ice cubes! - these particular plants are called "just add ice orchids". Since they don't like to be wet, the ice melts slowly and the plant doesn't get saturated with a regular watering bath, as such. It's looking good and has put out 3 big new leaves since last summer - now I'm looking for flower stalks. Guess I just need to be patient. I want to get another - they will be in the stores again soon with Mother's Day coming up - that's when I got mine last year.

Thanks for your input.