This first picture is not a cactus - though those little teeth can be pointy...
Our Christmas cactus has turned out to be more of a Valentine's Day cactus. This year the bloom opened right on Feb. 14th. I saw blooms last year around Feb. 18.
As the Winter begins to wane, I am starting to get more in sync with the blog world. Last post I was behind 1.5 months. Now, I'm down to .5 months. Maybe next post will be right on time :-)
I tried to capture some of the differences as the blooms open out...
I thinks it's interesting how they move from a real red to an increasingly lighter color.
This "cactus" has a history. It is a cutting from one that my father has - from his father's funeral when I was very little. His mother plant blooms at Christmas. I guess it is the difference between light and temperature exposure.
Here is the same photo without flash - the colors do not stand out well.
Well, there have actually been some pretty nice days this past month. A few stretches of above freezing! Winter is holding on some with some last "arctic" air intrusions. Spring is coming though, I have evidence from the blogs I visited over the last month. I will be starting some seeds at the end of March and I see I planted peas at the start of April. Only a month away
11 comments:
Hi Chris....welcome back to blogging world.....
Your little dog has grown a lot since I last saw him.....he looks a great little chap...
I like the history of the cactus....makes it just that bit more special. I have a succulent (money plant) which belonged to my grandmother....I would hate to lose it, it is around 35 years old now.......
Thanks Cheryl. The little one is about full grown in size now - about 8 months old. She has her own personality that is for sure.
It is be able to have some heirloom-like living plants. The mother plant of my "Christmas cactus" is at least 27 years and our cutting is about 10 years....this one I know is very tough - it has had its share of abuse over the years.
Your little dog should be able to see over the top of the snow piles soon.
The cactus blooms are lovely, even if they have their own schedule.
I love her pink shirt, we bought a pink AC-DC shirt for our terrier Spaz that says "Bark in Black", lol. I've never seen a Christmas Cactus that bloomed in February, what a nice Valentine's surprise. :) And the fact that it has sentimental value makes it very special. Look forward to seeing more posts from you soon. Take care & stay warm!
Hi Northern Shade...Yes, once the piles start to melt she will see over the top - she hates it when Dakota climbs the hills and leaves her behind.
Perennial Gardener...She inherited a collection of shirts from her "people-grandparents". So now she has some festive holiday shirts and Dakota has a set of bandannas.
Last year I read about a Thanksgiving Cactus - so maybe there is one for every holiday. It is great to see it blooming.
Hi Chris, nice to see you back. Love that hug me shirt.
I'm gathering my seeds too. Spring in another month.
Marnie
Hi Marnie, thanks. We thought that shirt was appropriate for the day...sometimes her devil shirt is more apt.
I just got most of my seeds in the mail the other day (waiting for one more set). Now I need to see when I should start the earliest.
Hi Chris,
Nice to see you back in blogland. What a very special plant your cactus is, with the family history behind it...so cool that it bloomed on Valentine's day!
Connie, yes it was a nice Valentine...the timing isn't always that close, but it is usually in February.
Hi Chris,
So good to see blooms! I take them when ever they come. Your catcus is a special plant. A treasure for sure. I am caring for a few plants from my Grandson's funeral for my son. I am always "worried" something will happen and I will lose one...
Spring is on her way. I also have been gathering my seeds....soon we will plant the spring vegetable garden. I long for fresh lettuces and peas! Thanks for the reminder.
I need to get some pea seeds!
Sherry
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