MY CHRISTMAS CACTUS, snugged into a corner of my dining room, blooms heavy with fuchsia blossoms.
I haven’t figured out how to time the flowering closer to Christmas. Each autumn I move the plant indoors to the dark basement, hoping that buds will form and flowers open late in December. That never happens. By late November buds develop and so I move the plant upstairs into the light and warmth. By Christmas, the cactus is all bloomed out.
Yet, does it matter? What matters is that the showy cactus fills my house with a beauty unmatched. And with a reminder of the maternal grandmother who died 64 years ago on December 1, two months after my birth.
My cactus flourished as a cutting from Grandma Josephine’s Christmas cactus. I don’t know the history of the original cactus, which was passed to my mother. But it’s been the source of many cuttings by family members. A link to the grandmother who died too young at age 49. The woman whom I’ve been told was loving and kind and caring. A lot like my mother, Arlene…
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
you might have a thanksgiving cactus i just an article about such a thing the other day it is beautiful nonetheless it’s origins make sooo much more aspecial
As long as the cactus blooms, I’m happy.
It’s beautiful!!! And the story behind it is so touching.
Thank you, Norma. It’s wonderful to hear from you.
Now THAT is a pretty special Christmas Cactus. My mom’s always blooms around Thanksgiving. I think it needs a new name… The Thanksgiving cactus 🙂
Interesting. You’re the second reader to comment on Christmas cactuses blooming at Thanksgiving.
I love your Christmas cactus photos and the story of its history. Thanks for sharing! Mine is just starting to bloom now. I did not move it from the place above the TV where it sits all year.
Thank you, Jan. Interesting that you leave yours in the same spot. When I move mine indoors, I always put it in a dark place to delay the budding and blossoming until nearer to Christmas. The one thing I don’t like about the cactus is the sticky sap that drops from the buds onto the floor.
Hmmm … I don’t experience that. I wonder why not?
Different variety? The floor actually gets sticky dots of sap from the cactus.
Hmmm… how interesting! Your flowers certainly are gorgeous… and you have so many more than my plants produce. Whatever you’re doing, it’s working! ❤
I take the cactus outside every spring and bring it back inside in the fall. Otherwise, there’s not much care required. Just the occasional watering.
Beautiful no matter when they bloom.
I agree.
Beautiful cactus and memories to go with it. We have had a Christmas cactus from my husbands great grandmother for several years and now we have another one from his grandmother! They’re both from the same original plant.
The longevity is amazing, isn’t it?