Zygocactus in bloom.

I found this glorious zygocactus (Schlumbergera, Christmas cactus) in full bloom in a sunny bay window at my Mom-in-law’s residence this past weekend, and it got me thinking that I’ve never attempted to grow one before. It is definitely time to change that!

Do you grow zygocacti? Do you have any tips for me?

(P.S. In case you’re wondering, I did indeed alter the natural position of the bloom so that it doesn’t turn downward in this photo).

Five Easy Flowers to Grow in Small Spaces (apartmentguide.com)
How To Care For A Christmas Cactus (proflowers.com)
How To Care For A Christmas Cactus (mademan.com)
How to Get Flowers Last Longer (proflowers.com)
A lesson from a Cactus (lookingupfromrockbottom.wordpress.com)
Around my house (jltstudios.wordpress.com)

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

26 responses to “Zygocactus in bloom.”

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

April 25, 2013

Reblogged this on 20 Lines A Day.

Reply
Thumbelina81

April 25, 2013

Loved the bloom. I havent seen one of this ever. so thank you for this post.I have recently started my gardening blog and would love to have your views on container gardening.Please do take a look .http://pitterpottergardener.wordpress.com/

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Thank you very much for introducing me to your blog – I look forward to following along! 🙂
  
  Reply
Deb

April 25, 2013

I have never bought a Christmas cactus but I have 5 that I have received as orphans from others because “the plants won’t grow in their house”. I have ones with white, pink and deep red blooms; 4 out of 5 are blooming at the moment (the other had an altercation with a child!). I keep mine on a window ledge on the north side of my house. It seems the side that touches the window blooms first so I turn them now and again. I only water them when they are completely dry.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Oh how lovely to have nearly all of them blooming at once – they must look wonderful! I like the red ones as well; I found in my reading, that the native plants that grow in Brazil are all dark red in colour. I will definitely watch with my watering once I get mine going.
  
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  1. Deb
    
    April 26, 2013
    
    They are really easy to grow and they bloom on and off for a good amount of time. Have fun growing.
    
    Reply
    1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
      
      April 26, 2013
      
      Thank you – I will! 🙂
      
      Have a great weekend!
      
      Reply
gardeninacity

April 25, 2013

This is my favorite cactus, my mother always had one growing in the kitchen.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  They are such a beautiful, cheerful plant!
  
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Marilyn Thiessen

April 25, 2013

My Christmas cactus is still blooming too. Started around Easter as it does most years. I usually get lovely blooms spring and again late fall, early winter. You should definitely give one a try.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  I will! (I took a cutting, but not off the plant in the photo). Mum has grown quite a few from cuttings and she showed me what to do. Looking forward to seeing if I have any luck! 🙂 I really like the idea that it may bloom more than once a year.
  
  Have a wonderful weekend! Have you been able to do any gardening yet? I’m hoping to get out a bit tomorrow if I have time.
  
  Reply
Cathy

April 25, 2013

I’ve never had much success with houseplants in general, but love Christmas cactus. I knew someone with one that used to bloom from Christmas until Easter, but eventually it got so big it had to be given a new home, so don’t know if it’s still around!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  I think they do get to a fair size, don’t they? Someone I know said that a relative of theirs had one that was about 1.25 metres across…I’m sure that must be atypical. Or is it? I don’t have room for anything that large, but then again, it must take years for them to attain a size like that. Must be incredible to see when in bloom!
  
  Reply
  1. Cathy
    
    April 26, 2013
    
    The one I saw was probably almost a metre in diameter! But I do think it takes a long time for them to get to that size. 😀
    
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Lisa Gordon

April 25, 2013

They really require very little care. Just don’t overwater.
I have one of these that is well over 20 years old. Not the most attractive thing anymore, because they do get woody as they age, but it continues to bloom beautifully. Now if I could just get them to bloom at Christmas, instead of Halloween!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Good to hear that they’re not too difficult to look after. That’s wonderful that you’ve had yours for so long and that it continues to bloom nicely. I hope I can have such success as well! 🙂
  
  Reply
snowbird

April 25, 2013

Loved your guest post and this blog!x

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Thanks so much, I appreciate it! 🙂
  
  Reply
Boomdeeadda

April 25, 2013

My gosh, they’re gorgeous aren’t they? I did laundry at a place in Sherwood Park for years (because we had a cistern). She had a giant Xmas Cactus too. Sorry I don’t know the secret to success. My cats torture everything to death.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Cats and houseplants are often not a good combination, that’s for sure! 🙂 I don’t think zygocacti are toxic, but I’m sure the leaves would be irritating and maybe a bit painful to munch on – it’s a good thing that you don’t have one.
  
  Reply
prairiebirder

April 25, 2013

Such a beautiful flower!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  They are stunning!
  
  Reply
Janneke

April 26, 2013

Yes, I too have the Zygocactus or the so called Christmascactus, I got it from my parents a long time ago. First I neglected the cactus because I did not like it, but over the years I have grown up to a plant addict, so I multiplied the cactus and am enjoying the flowers every year again. I am for the first time on your blog, after I read the funny but so true story on Jennifer’s blog. I will be a new follower.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 26, 2013
  
  Thank you very much, Janneke – I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my story and have decided to follow Flowery Prose! I am happy to hear that you’ve had such great success with your Christmas cacti! I’m looking forward to growing one.
  
  Reply
Donna@Gardens Eye View

April 27, 2013

My best advice is to under water this plant. I also throw in the left over coffee from my mug to give it a boost. It keeps it green and blooming.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  April 29, 2013
  
  Thanks, Donna! Good idea about the leftover coffee, I will remember that.
  
  Reply