Friday, December 11, 2009

Catch The Spirit

There are certain signs of the season around me that I just can't ignore. My faithful old Christmas Cactus is one. This plant is thirty four years old and has traveled half way across the country with me. It blooms faithfully every year and usually continues to bloom till late spring.


It's so large now that it blooms in sections. The back will bloom, then a couple weeks later one side will bloom and it goes around and around the plant.


The plant was in it's glory about six years ago when the entire thing was covered in red flowers. That seemed to exhaust the old girl and we had to do some surgery on a couple of limbs.


Since then she has fewer flowers, but that's OK. She's certainly done a great job and deserves her place of honor in the dining room window.


This younger cactus is only about eleven years old, but she puts out a lot of flowers each year. She doesn't bloom quite as long as the old girl does, but her flowers are lovely.


The flowers on this one are soft peach and white. They're a beautiful delicate color.


Although she had some flowers last week, there are only a couple right now. She is covered with these fat little buds that should be open for Christmas. She also has a place in the dining room to catch the morning sun.

13 comments:

Martha said...

I just love Christmas cactus - we also have a very old one which I have taken quite a few cuttings of.
Like yours it is looking good this year - not sure what makes the difference as some years we miss Christmas all together!
xx

SissySees said...

I love that - "the old girl."

soulbrush said...

34 years old, my goodness, you should have joined our cactus monday...the cactuteers would love to hear about this lovely and faithful plant. xxx

gMarie said...

My cactus are blooming right now too! We have about 4 - although I doubt any of ours are as old as "the old girl." g

Marjie said...

Thirty four years! That is awesome! I refer to my Christmas cactus as "mentally challenged" because it rarely blooms at Christmas, but usually in February or March. I have one bud, so maybe this year it will behave...?

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I love Christmas cacti - they remind me so much of my beloved Grandmother and Mother-in-Law - both had December birthdays and both have passed. What wonderful role models they were in my life.

How are you feeling - I hope that the flu is starting to leave.

Lynn

Sam said...

That is one OLD plant! It certainly seems like it's become a loved part of your family. What a great story.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Oh that is such a beauty. We used to have one that came from Mom's grandmother but with all the cross country moves she had to let it go. The one we have now is only a couple of years old but has bloomed pretty well, not always at Christmas, but that's OK.

Happy Friday, the OP Pack

Molly the Airedale said...

Your Christmas cactus is gorgeous! Mom has never had any luck growing them!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Anonymous said...

Your catus is so pretty. Isn't it awesome that they bloom such a pretty color at Christmas? I like how you call the one the 'old girl' too :>)

kathy b said...

Yours is amazing!

Thor and Jack said...

Your Christmas cactus is so beautiful!

Nicki said...

My grandpa had a HUGE christmas cactus that bloomed beautifully every year for him. After he passed away it went to live with my mom. It's still big but does not bloom as much for her. He had a way with all plants-he could grow anything.