Keep Your Christmas Cactus Healthy All Year Long

It is one of the most beautiful, and perhaps unique plants around.  Given it's name for a timely seasonal blossoming the Christmas Cactus has a vibrant, satiny flower that is unlike any foliage I've seen. They also happen to be a very fragile plant. My mom gave me this cactus, well lets just say a few years ago. 

Classified as a tropical cactus, and not a typically identified desert cactus a Christmas Cactus requires year round care to assure that is is perky and ready to celebrate the holidays each year.  You can expect many years of pleasure since these jewels have been reported to live up to 100 years old.


Christmas Cactus enjoy plenty of sunlight, but not direct sunlight.  Set the plant a few feet from the window or any light source.  To much direct sunlight, or heat will cause the tips of the plant to burn. This tropical beauty enjoys a healthy dose of sand.  It will progress best with a blend of 75:25 potting soil to sand.  They bloom during the winter when the days are shorter and the nights are longer.  Move the plant away from direct sunlight to make sure you get the best blooms.  Cover the plant with a light sheet at night and to give the cactus a big boost.



Avoid pouring water directly into the plant.  Make sure you have planter with drainage holes, and fill a bottom saucer with a dash of water. TIP: I like to add a touch of coffee to the water about once a month to boost and promote healthy growth. Over watering a Christmas Cactus is the largest cause of damage.  If your plant is indoors the best rule is approximately 1 1/2 cups of water weekly.  Check the soil before watering.  It should never be moist to the touch.  If the ridges of the cactus begin to break off you may be watering too often.




The Grooves of the cactus plant will snap easily if
you aren't careful

The Christmas Cactus will survive well outdoors also.  Be sure it is placed in a well shaded area, and never left outdoors if the temperature rises above 90 degrees as it will burn quickly.  If  moving the plant to the outdoors be sure to adjust your watering routine to accommodate the warmer climate.  Instead of watering once a week you will need to add water every two to three days.   Be sure to add a sufficient amount of food for the plant and keep your eyes open for signs of soil bugs.Controlling Pests and Feeding your Garden for more tips.




It is easy to grow your own Christmas Cactus, or start another one from your own plant.  In the picture above you can see that each stem of the cactus is divided into several segments.  Break a few piece off at least three segments long.  Allow the end to dry for a few hours before you attempt to plant it.  Prepare the above mention mixture of 75:20 potting soil and sand.  When ready dip the tip in rooting compound and plant the stem at least 2 inches below the soil.  You can use a natural rooting compound made with willow shoots gathered from the spring and soaking them in water, or you can purchase some at any nursery. 

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The Benifits of Plants on Your Environment

Most of us by now have probably moved the plants back indoors for the for the colder months.  I'll admit I do get a little over enthusiastic with my plants.  When I last took count there are a total of 36 plants filling every bare spot of my home.  My collection includes a ficus tree that has been with me for fourteen years and stands 9 feet tall (thank goodness for vaulted ceilings).

Have you ever stopped to consider the benefits of having houseplants?  Of course there is the obvious.  They add a wonderful touch of ambiance to any room.  During the winter months an atmosphere of healthy, thriving green plants has proven to stave off those "winter blues".  You know, that feeling we get of wanting to be out in the fresh open air tearing into the spring garden again.  Feeling somewhat denied the pleasure of basking in the warm sunshine with a cool glass of fresh ice tea.  Wishing it was warm enough to fire up the grill and invite the neighbors over.  All that foliage we drag back indoors has proven to calm that feeling of loss.

Just like outdoor plants are know to help fight pollution and unhealthy air indoor plants will do the same.  Our homes are full of dangerous toxins that can lead to unwanted health issues.  The oxygen omitted by indoor plants will reduce carbon dioxide and even benzene and  formaldehyde.  The more vigorous and healthy the plant the better your results so be sure and follow the proper guide lines for the foliage's needs.  In order for any plant to be an environmental benefit the foliage and soil must both be kept as healthy as possible.

Studies have been conducted by many institutions to help determine exactly how extensive the benefits of plants can be on the environment.  It's very interesting to see the extent of experimenting conducted.  Research has shown that some plants tend to omit a higher volume of oxygen and are able to absorb a greater amount of toxins.  Just a few of these that are easy to grow and very sustainable are the Ficus, the Rubber Plant, The Lilly and many varieties of the Palm.  The Palm is a particular favorite.  Not only does it have a tropical feel with beautiful leaves, but it also happens to be particularly hardy.

I've always kept a plant in my work area.  It comes as not surprise to me that studies have shown those companies that allow plants in the work place have a lower rate of stress, and improved production.  Employees who spend the day working in those cramped little cubicles showed less anxiety when they were allowed to place plants in there surroundings.  What I find even more fascinating is the increase in focus and reaction time reported from employees with plants growing nearby.  What could possibly be the biggest benefit of plants in the workplace is a reported drop in sick time reported.


The benefits of house plants on the indoor environment is a continued research and one well worth looking into farther.  I'm pretty certain of one thing though.  With thirty six plants in every room of my home I hope I've got some pretty healthy air to breath.

Making a Poinsettia Last

 

My seven year old Poinsettia

I always believed it was inevitable.  You had to throw out the Poinsettia's when the holiday was through.  They weren't suppose to last beyond the festive season.  As my enthusiasm for growing anything facilitated I decided to the possibility of giving this doomed plant a shot for a longer life. 

 

My 2nd Generation Poinsettia

It was my second Christmas with my husband, and the first in our new home.  That sentiment made me even more determined to cherish the memory by holding on to the first Poinsettia he brought home to me.  I know that I had often heard Poinsettia's do not tolerate a lot of sunlight.  I decided to put mine in the one bay window of our house that got the most direct light.  It took off with a bolt. 

 

Not only did I discover that these beautiful plants do well with direct sunlight, they require constantly moist soil.  I found that if the soil became dry the leaves fell off very quickly.

 

The plant become so large I opted to try my had at growing another one.  Talk about an easy task. I carefully cut some strong ends from my plant and placed them in a large pot I had blended with compost. I placed the plant in another window filled with sunlight.  I carefully watered it and checked the growth every day until new foliage began to appear.  Now I have a second generation poinsettia that is out growing it's current container.

As the holiday approaches I removed the Poinsettia's from the direct sunlight.  As you can see as a result of reduced daylight the plants are beginning to obtain their festive red coloring.

I know I will need to thin my original plant down again this year.  I'm certain I will start another plant to pass on to my daughters.  It's a pleasure to know this memory will live on and be shared with a new generations to come.