Wow, Cricket - that's really nice!

I have a rather large Thanksgiving cactus, and it hasn't even set buds yet.
Wonder if this weird weather year will make a difference with it also...

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Lynne's knitting journal
"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

looks good cricket! and yes, genetics plays a big part, and i really like to see when they do bloom by themselves instead of being "forced"

Nice cactus, Lynne! Can't wait to see it in full bloom.

Thanks!

Jaime, Holiday cacti do best in bright indirect light. To set buds they need cooler night time temperatures (55-65F) and uninterrupted dark nights for 6-8 weeks. Gradually reduce watering, letting the soil dry out but not to the point of wilt. Some people force their cacti to set buds by placing in a dark room at night, returning them to bright light during the day. (I don't do this because it isn't important for my plants to bloom on a certain date, my home is kept cool and at this time of year the days here in Canada are short.) Once buds begin to emerge, don't move the plant until they are established or the buds will drop. For the few weeks the plant is blooming, it is OK to display the cactus anywhere but be mindful that cooler temperatures will prolong blooms. After the flowers are finished, return the plant to its bright location. Like most flowering plants, holiday cacti bloom most prolifically when potbound.

Thanks for adding the bit about not rotating the plant, Lynne!

Apparently, I spoke a little too soon last night...

this morning I found 6 teeny tiny buds greeting the day

Yea!

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Lynne's knitting journal
"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

Very nice, neko!

Do you take it outside during the summer?
I have not taken mine out - maybe I'll try one of the babies out there next year.

Have you shared many cuttings of yours?
I love to spread my plants around -
it's so much fun to think where these plants live around the country!

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Lynne's knitting journal
"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

i've found that when you take cuttings from one, it will grow well and kinda "rejuvenate" as it were. mine are not blooming yet, but they are happier since i wacked them back hard a few weeks ago to share with the neighbor!

Yeah, but bear in mind a senior plant like Oldtimer does't grow anymore; it just stays alive.
Its terminal growth has become like leaves on a tree, withering andfalling off, to be replaced with fresh ones. It's attraction is not so much asthetic as much as matured dignity. At best its leaves are thin, and I doubt if any would root if it was trimmed off.

I do, however, share cuttings from its offspring, which are now blooming in a blaze of glory.

In the past I would pollinate it, first with pollen from a different plant, and then with pollen from its offspring. I quit doing that when the house began running out of space. Interestingly, none from any of the following generations bore the same color of flowers.
It bears small purple fruit, like a miniature cactus pear, which is filled with small black seeds.

Took a photo just this morning. Click the thumbnail. That's Nekochan behind the plant.

You need to pollinate the flower yourself.

Take a flower from a different plant - not a clone - and brush its pollen onto the red pistil as shown. Check to make sure the tip of the pistil shows pollen dust on it.

The blossom wiil hang on even after it shrivels and dries out, but its ovary will swell and become the fruit - I think it's called a drupe )- and redden as it ripens.

You're most welcome, Ms. P&P.

You can do the same with flowering bulbs in your just as easily, with daffodils and tulips being the simplest.
Am looking forward to being able to demonstrate that, also.

I have a white one in bloom right now and an orange one about to bloom. I love Christmas and thanksgiving cactus!

Tom

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My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.

My mother has a Thanksgiving cactus that belonged to her grandmother, And it is an "Old Timer". I don't have a picture of it, but it is huge and she says it does not bloom anymore and appears to be dyeing. My question is how do I take a cutting and get a new plant started before this one finally gives up, or will is just sit there and do nothing???? Since this cactus has survived three generations now, I would like to try and save it, at least by starting a new one from it.

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I just brought a varigated CC. It is a lime green and yellow edge. Is this a new variety? I usually see the dark green leaves.



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http://www.flickr.com/photos/audwoman/

If you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain!!