Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Some (after) Christmas Cacti

The only houseplants I own are safely locked away in terrariums due to a cat that enjoys her leafy greens a little too much.  I've actually loved houseplants from a young age (during one of our moves as a kid I tenderly stuffed a fairly large asparagus fern into a box and carried it on an airplane).  So I especially enjoy seeing my mother-in-law's beautiful collection of houseplants when we visit.

Lots of buds!
Among my favorite are her Christmas cacti.


My mother-in-law says they are fairly easy to care for.  They don't need much water (it is a cactus, albeit a tropical one, after all), and they don't even need much light.

a bud about to bloom
Her plants are around five or six years old. She says they are also fairly easy to propagate from stem cuttings.


The flowers of the Christmas cactus are exotically beautiful.  Though with how my mother-in-law arranges them, the plants look amazing all year long even when not in flower.

Christmas cactus placed in a glass seashell with stones
Oh, how I do miss having houseplants!  

Anyone want a veggie-loving cat?

17 comments:

  1. No, I have two plant-destroying felines already! I wouldn't trade them for anything, but they do make indoor gardening challenging. They can't get to my terrarium, though, which is nice. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos of your mother-in-law's Christmas Cacti.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need some bigger terrariums :) Such a challenge!

      Delete
  2. Beautiful - I especially love the way she's arranged it in the glass seashell. I may have to copy that, if I can! I have a few on my windowsill that are full of buds now. They gave a weak show at Christmas, but seem to be gearing up for Valentine's Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that arrangement as well. I would love to copy it if my cat allowed me to! I hope yours get lots of blooms for Valentine's day!

      Delete
  3. We're not very good with house plants, but I do love Christmas Cactus. This was something my mother always had blooming early in the year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. They are a very forgiving plant and I do like the shell dish arrangement. Clever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mother-in-law is quite artistic and has quite the knack for flower arranging! I wish I did too!

      Delete
  5. Love that one placed in the seashell! Just beautiful! I bought my first Christmas cactus two years ago and was thrilled that it actually bloomed this year - just in time for Christmas! So glad to read that it's easily propagated from stem cuttings! I just may have to give that a try! Beautiful photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so exciting that it bloomed for Christmas! My mother-in-law's seems to bloom afterwards. Definitely try the propagating and see how it goes!

      Delete
  6. I don't have many houseplants, and they have to kept in a part of the house where the cat rarely visits. I do love the cactus in that beutiful shell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems several of us have cats that limit our indoor gardening! So sad!

      Delete
  7. Wow these are amazing...I love the shell planter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it pretty? My mother-in-law is so artistic and creative with these things.

      Delete
  8. I have one brave houseplant left due to three kittens wanting to chew on anything green. I feel your pain.
    No, I don't want one more!!! LOL
    David

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sure? She's cute, at least. Well, scratch that.. She's very lovable, though!

      Delete
  9. India, I am very happy that I visit.
    I am pleased with this virtual acquaintances and beautiful comments.
    I hope that the newly revived!
    I like the cactus.
    In Poland, the blooms at Christmas.
    Grudnik call it, for a XII month.
    I send greetings.
    Lucia

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...