My Christmas cactus plants are flowering

@Fleura (28957)
United Kingdom
November 29, 2022 7:05am CST
My Christmas cactus plants are all coming into flower just now. I love these plants and have had some for many years. I have the more ‘traditional’ variety with red flowers, as well as others with pale pink, shocking pink and gold flowers. They flower reliably every year, although they rarely manage to keep going until Christmas. I did have a white variety as well but over time the flowers seem to have reverted to pink, I think that’s because they are quite cold here whereas the breeders of course grow them in a heated propagator. Even though my windowsills are full I’m afraid I might be tempted to buy a white one again if I see one! Does anyone else grow these plants and if so do they ever flower at Christmas? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2022.
16 people like this
18 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
29 Nov 22
I’m not familiar with them. The flowers are a pretty shade.
2 people like this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 22
Thank you. They are very vivid aren't they?
@BarBaraPrz (45226)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Nov 22
Oooh! Lovely color! I have my mother's old old one. It's a pale pink, and has two blossoms right now. It doesn't bloom at Christmas, either. I think what we have are Thanksgiving cactus, even though we don't celebrate it in November.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
29 Nov 22
My mother used to love them and had some for many years. They didn't mind moving to other parts of the country and always bloomed faithfully. I can't remember them flowering precisely at Christmas.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118224)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 22
My Christmas cactus is starting to show signs of buds on the tips. Mine have the traditional red flowers. It is always so beautiful when it blooms!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118224)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Nov 22
@Fleura That is what I am hoping! Last year the blooms peaked right before Christmas, then it bloomed again a second time after the holiday I hope that this year it is in full flower mode during Christmas. The funny thing is, I have no idea how to take care of this plant, I just water it every now and then and hope for the best. I’ve had the plant for about 5 years now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118224)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 22
@Fleura I keep mine on my back patio. It’s a screened in porch that gets filtered sunlight all year long. I did check on the Christmas cactus last night, and it is already in full bloom, so I may not have any flowers left on it by the time Christmas arrives.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 22
If it's just coming into bloom maybe it really will be in flower at Christmas!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Nov 22
I have a neighbor with a Christmas cactus that's blooming. It has pink flowers. Very pretty.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 22
I am very fond of these type of plants, I have Easter cactus too.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 22
@just4him this is one of mine (I also have red ones)
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Nov 22
@Fleura I didn't know there was an Easter cactus.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116876)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Nov 22
Beautiful! I used to have a few but that was years ago.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (93514)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Nov 22
I have one but it hasnt bloomed the last couple of years. I think I need to fertilize it more during the off season.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Nov 22
what a beaut! i 'nherited a red'un from my neighbor some years back. did quite well 'til the 'boys' moved 'nto the house. quite oft i find the pot 'pside down'n the floor...with branches broken, buds missin'. hope ya find ya a white'un :)
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Dec 22
@Fleura feline friends 're most fond 'f plants...i try not to get too 'pset o'er their antics. that pursuit 'f the possibility somethin' to play with might jest be 'nside the pot.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 22
Oh what a shame, cruelty to plants
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12541)
• Ireland
29 Nov 22
@fleura Ours are a bit hit and miss but always pretty.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Nov 22
I haven't had a Christmas cactus in awhile but they are pretty when they flower. I don't remember mine flowering at exactly Christmas and I think one year it actually flowered at Easter I've never seen a purple flowering cactus as in your picture. It's beautiful
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14744)
• San Jose, California
30 Nov 22
What gorgeous blossoms!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 22
Thank you, I love them! Apparently they are shaped that way because in their native habitat (S America) they are pollinated by humming birds.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14744)
• San Jose, California
30 Nov 22
@Fleura Ah, that makes sense. The color would definitely attract them too!
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (4159)
29 Nov 22
They're so pretty! So nice to look at. I do not have that exact same plant but I have other cactuses that blooms flowers too.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 22
Are they the desert type of cactus?
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
30 Nov 22
No, haven't grown any. They're pretty!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (28957)
• United Kingdom
30 Nov 22
I'm very fond of them.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
1 Dec 22
@Fleura They bloomed perfect timing too!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
29 Nov 22
Love the color on your cactus. So pretty. I have never tried growing one.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35015)
• United States
29 Nov 22
I wish I had your love for growing things. Plants are amazing.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
29 Nov 22
Beautiful. I think one such plant is enough to light up a whole garden.
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
30 Nov 22
Your plant is beautiful! At the other house I had a plant that bloomed red. Unfortunately, when we moved into this smaller house, I had to pick and choose what plants I was going to keep and that one didn't move with us. It moved instead to a friend's house and is still doing well there.
@JudyEv (323745)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Nov 22
My mum had these but from memory they were a purple colour. I hope you find a white one. I'm sure the others would be happy to shuffle along a bit to make room for one more.