Did you get a holiday cactus plant this year?  I noticed many in the nurseries and stores with exquisite blossoms in shades of red, pink, purple, salmon as well as other colors.  They add cheerful color during a time when few other houseplants flower.  Popular plants are the Thanksgiving cacti, (Schlumbergia truncate), and the Christmas cacti, (Schlumbergia x buckleyi).

The secret of good bloom is to control the temperature and light. Plants develop buds and bloom if given bright light, short days, and night temperatures between 55º F and 65º Fahrenheit during bud formation.  Full sunlight is helpful during the winter months.  In the summer, the bright sun can make the plants look pale and yellow.

For Christmas bloom next year, the light and temperature treatment should be started in mid-September and continue for eight weeks.  Christmas cacti bloom best when somewhat pot-bound.  Re-potting is necessary only about once in three years.

These plants require less water from October to March then they do from April to September when growth is active.  Take care that the soil does not become waterlogged during the dark days of winter.

Holiday cactus. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)