My neglected ones sit on the front verandah all year round, and have been flowering for the last 6 weeks. The only water they get is when it rains, and maybe a couple of jugs of water in summer if they are lucky. I've also had them growing in water on the kitchen window sill facing west. A few drops of fish fertiliser in the water every 2-3 months, and they grow like Topsy.

Love those plants - my Christmas cactus is blooming!!!! We also have something else in common - I purchased 2 lamps like that at Jordan Marsh 40 years ago and still enjoy them every day as they are so delicate and beautiful. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. Beautiful flowers.

your cactus are beautiful. wish mine looked that good. my MIL used to always talk about 'thanksgiving cactus" and "christmas cactus". usually ours do pretty well, cause my husband's office is cooler. but for some reason, not a bloom in site this yr.

That is soo strange! We had a similar experience with ours. My mom had this huge rambling Christmas cactus that had not bloomed in years, my dad and I wanted to throw it out. My mom would not hear of it and insisted we keep it. The year after my dad passed it had the most beautiful blooms on it and it had bloomed twice every year since! It will be 14 years this Christmas.

Sounds like your plants are gearing up to bloom for Xmas.I'd keep them out of direct sun ....but they should be fine.

I just love the pics of these beautiful plants! I do not have a green thumb so doubt if I could get it to bloom or even live. I may try to locate one of these plants. Thank You for sharing the pics of yours with us. You have inspired me. :thumbup:

Not sure who your reply was meant for. Just wanted to say I found my 2 Xmas cactus in a local grocery.Each one had 4-5 fronds & were in small pots...real small. I planted them in one big pot using dirt from the yard.It was on my outside covered porch untill a couple wks ago.They're so easy to grow. Good luck & a lot of stores/groceries have them in stock around the holidays.

[quote=justme2]Sounds like your plants are gearing up to bloom for Xmas.I'd keep them out of direct sun ....but they should be fine.

Mine sit on the front north facing (= your south) verandah all year round, and frost and sun doesn't hurt them. At the moment they are covered on flowers and in full sun - about 25C - and loving it. The ones in the window face west all year around, and get the full blast of the sun. They thrive on neglect.

There are also some cactus in pots which have white, pink, and red flowers the size of bread and butter plates. The pink ones have been flowering for weeks. They are all on the front verandah, and none of them have shelter.

My "grandpa" (25+yrs)blooms sporadically the other 3 usually bloom now through Christmas and then again around Easter, but...just checking...nope, nothing. Not even a hint of a bud. I love your yellow one!

Someone told me that you can put them in a dark place like a basement or closet for a couple of weeks and when you bring it back out that it will bloom again. I've never tried it.[/quote------------------------------------------------------

Thank You soooo much for suggesting that trick. I am going to put my in the cellar after they are done blooming. I'll let You know how well it works . I will keep my fingers crossed.I want it to work.

PEACE...Alice