I have these two christmas cactus purchased last year and of which had small buds which eventually bloomed at x-mas time.

I kept the same pots and a watered them normally throughout the year and the plants looks healthy and strong.
Should I be expecting buds soon as it's mid-november and nothing yet?

I can send a picture if needed

Any tips or ideas ?

Josh

So I should continue watering and maybe change to complete darkness ?

They seem to go more by when it's the right combination of cool & long nights (or short days). I grow Thanksgiving cacti & the one had for 6 yrs.+ that I lost last year, would bloom for New Years & sometimes a 2nd blooming in late February.

I learned to bloom mine by accident when both light fixtures in my kitchen died at the same time. The lack of overhead light at night for 6 wks or so seemed to push them into bloom.

So I guess just leave in the same place for now if I do indeed see some very minuscule buds

Mine get ignored & live outside year round.
Tally HO!

Tommyr, can I ask you when you say place the plant in as cool a place as you can...since I live in FL...what temps appx are you recommending after it sets buds? Our problem right now is...its still in the low 80's during the day and 60's, and sometimes mid 50's at night. Thanks!

Good luck Jrmtl...hope yours blooms soon! If not you can always buy one that is blooming which is what I did this year since I lost mine,lol...

Dark and cool place it is then

It was cc/tc that you were supposed to put in the closet, I looked it up in an old houseplant book I have at the house. I never did that, I would forget the plant and find it dead if I tried that. Not to mention living in an old house there is NO closet space.
Tally HO!

I think I will stick with the shortening/cooler days technique, a lot safer my plants :o)

Josh

I like this article because I could understand it.
Many others did not like it. It is 8 pgs long and I someone puts it where it can be found again. I hope it will be used to help others who need it. **** It was written by Paul J. Brunelle Dec. 20 2001 There is a Epiphytic Plant Study Group (http.//www.epiphytic.co.uk

I think it great because I am a beginner it is a precise article, with line drawing, and color pictures, making every very clear. Norma

I think I'll show THIS pic to my young TC cuttings so they'll have a good role model!

I've never grown them, nor do I intend to, but that's a fabulous pic - TFS!

Josh

Should I fertilize it? I never have. It really seems to thrive on neglect.

I have rarely fertilized them and the only water they get outside is rain. They do best with neglect.

Jane

In January of this year, the CC bloomed late....which I think was due to the fact that I'd pruned it in May (2008). This summer I did very minimal pruning (just to shape the Cactus, lighten its load, and obtain a few small cuttings). I don't know if there's a direct correlation, but I'll assume that an aggressive pruning may delay or minimize the onset of blooms....but might also lead to a more prolific bloom the following season.

Josh

Ashley

Must be why we were told to put in a closet, to get less daylight. Probably a better idea in the south then then the north as ya'll have rather short days this time of year anyway. Not that ours are so long but longer than yours.
Tally HO!