Originally Posted by
kathy
i put mine on the pourch during dec-jan because someone told me they need a cold spell before they can bloom. I don't know if it works because my pet raccoon decided to use it for a chew toy, i'll try with another this year,
Mine bloom all yr long so I'm sure they don't need the cold spell. I keep them in front of a window that is indirect sunlight. In summer I put them outside where they have mostly if not all shade. its the extra light that makes them bloom. There is feed just for them too. When a stock stops blooming it'll start dying off and before it reaches the bottom of the plant you should cut the stalk off so that it doesn't kill the root too. I don't water all the time because they don't like a lot of water. I just learned about the ice cubes this past yr. In Hi they bloom it the trees where someone has nessled them in the branch. These are my favorite flowers along with tulips and Christmas/Easter cactuses. They do need cold to make them really grow. My cactus I move to the outside in the shade as soon as no sign of frost still exist and ignore them all yr. I normally bring them in before frost but after a little cold weather, around here that's usually late Oct, early Nov