I've read the posts on other people's holiday cactus but had nothing to say on
them as I've never bothered growing them before. No real reason except for my
kitties - they tend to be hard, over time, on plants that have long stems &
can break off. They don't attack my plants but are very active & things do
get knocked over occasionally.
Well, two years ago, I find a broken leaf from one in a store & absentmindedly
picked it up to take home. I'm always collecting broken bits of plants to see
if I can get them started. More a hobby & challenge than a true desire for
another plant. I stuck the leaf in a 2 1/2 inch pot with a bit of soil & sand
& basically ignored it except for adding a little water & fertiliser when I
watered my other plants. Since it sat on the windowsill right over my sink,
it blended in with other plants & I really didn't notice it. About a week
ago, I saw some little red buds forming. Poor little thing actually thrived
where it was! Now there are lots of red buds & some have opened into blooms.
Finally, I'm taking notice of this poor little neglected thing & have decided
to treasure it. (-:
I've included a photo of it I took last night (moved my other plants for a
better shot) in the photo folder under Judy's Plants in our group folder.
That bright red is the actual colour, not retouched. I also included 2 pix of
my little indoor planter with some other rescues in it. I rescued 2 very sad
looking earth stars (Cryptanthus species, a type of bromeliad), a tiny
branched cactus that I don't know what it is, & some pieces of burro's tail
(Sedum morganianum) that has grown into a number of little plants. Even the
planter was a cast off for less than a dollar I picked up at a 2nd hand
store.
It's funny but I treasure these little plants (that eventually turn into large
ones) much more than any big healthy plant I went & bought for lots of money.
I feel like these are my babies 'cause I grew them myself.
Judy
Well, two years ago, I find a broken leaf from one in a store &
absentmindedly
picked it up to take home. I'm always collecting broken bits of plants to
see
if I can get them started. More a hobby & challenge than a true desire for
another plant. I stuck the leaf in a 2 1/2 inch pot with a bit of soil &
sand
& basically ignored it except for adding a little water & fertiliser when I
watered my other plants. Since it sat on the windowsill right over my sink,
it blended in with other plants & I really didn't notice it. About a week
ago, I saw some little red buds forming. Poor little thing actually thrived
where it was! Now there are lots of red buds & some have opened into blooms.
Finally, I'm taking notice of this poor little neglected thing & have
decided
to treasure it. (-:
I've included a photo of it I took last night (moved my other plants for a
better shot) in the photo folder under Judy's Plants in our group folder.
That bright red is the actual colour, not retouched. I also included 2 pix
of
my little indoor planter with some other rescues in it. I rescued 2 very sad
looking earth stars (Cryptanthus species, a type of bromeliad), a tiny
branched cactus that I don't know what it is, & some pieces of burro's tail
(Sedum morganianum) that has grown into a number of little plants. Even the
planter was a cast off for less than a dollar I picked up at a 2nd hand
store.
It's funny but I treasure these little plants (that eventually turn into
large
ones) much more than any big healthy plant I went & bought for lots of money
I feel like these are my babies 'cause I grew them myself.
Judy
Hi Judy and all,
Your little Holiday cactus is wonderful, as is the story of saving it
from a tiny cutting. I don't blame you for treasuring it either-it's
really lovely. Your other mixed container is great too. I wish I had
your talent for combining plants so well.
Thanks for sharing the plants, and the story and pics. Your post is a
joy to read. :-)
Here's a link to your photo album in case anyone has trouble finding it
(members will need to log in to their yahoo account as always):
http://tinyurl.com/yebrzy
Thanks again,
Grant
________________________________
From: houseplants@yahoogroups.com [mailto:houseplants@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Judy Wilkins
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 5:35 PM
To: houseplants@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Houseplants] My First Holiday Cactus
I've read the posts on other people's holiday cactus but had nothing to
say on
them as I've never bothered growing them before. No real reason except
for my
kitties - they tend to be hard, over time, on plants that have long
stems &
can break off. They don't attack my plants but are very active & things
do
get knocked over occasionally.
Well, two years ago, I find a broken leaf from one in a store &
absentmindedly
picked it up to take home. I'm always collecting broken bits of plants
to see
if I can get them started. More a hobby & challenge than a true desire
for
another plant. I stuck the leaf in a 2 1/2 inch pot with a bit of soil &
sand
& basically ignored it except for adding a little water & fertiliser
when I
watered my other plants. Since it sat on the windowsill right over my
sink,
it blended in with other plants & I really didn't notice it. About a
week
ago, I saw some little red buds forming. Poor little thing actually
thrived
where it was! Now there are lots of red buds & some have opened into
blooms.
Finally, I'm taking notice of this poor little neglected thing & have
decided
to treasure it. (-:
I've included a photo of it I took last night (moved my other plants for
a
better shot) in the photo folder under Judy's Plants in our group
folder.
That bright red is the actual colour, not retouched. I also included 2
pix of
my little indoor planter with some other rescues in it. I rescued 2 very
sad
looking earth stars (Cryptanthus species, a type of bromeliad), a tiny
branched cactus that I don't know what it is, & some pieces of burro's
tail
(Sedum morganianum) that has grown into a number of little plants. Even
the
planter was a cast off for less than a dollar I picked up at a 2nd hand
store.
It's funny but I treasure these little plants (that eventually turn into
large
ones) much more than any big healthy plant I went & bought for lots of
money.
I feel like these are my babies 'cause I grew them myself.
Judy
