I wouldn't think you would have to wait too long for the Christmas Cactus to bloom the one in the black pot looks like it could bloom this year but the one in the white pot may have to grow some more before blooms. The easter cactus also looks like it may bloom the next blooming season for those. I have 2, One I got over the summer. but my other one bloomed in June, It Red and started forming buds in late March. Keep an eye out for buds around that time! good luck! your Thanksgiving cactus look great by the way.

I put all of these plants outside about April 1 in a shaded area and bring them into my sunroom when temps dip to 40/45 here in my area of Texas. By the time I bring the Thanksgiving cactus in they are loaded with buds and just beginning to open. The Christmas cactus buds are just real "tiny" but they don't bloom for me until around January/February and they are a spectactular site for sure. Needless to say - I look forward to this time of year to witness the spectacular blooms of these beautiful plants!

Hostalover - I read your blog elsewhere about your Easter cactus you received from your Aunt and viewed the picture - it was beautiful/healthy/full of blooms.

Great collection of plants ya got there, all look super healthy & happy. Also, seeing this again, I spot that Begonia in the lower part of the shot, very handsome foliage, subtle but sharp!

I have never observed bud drop on my plants when I have turned them (and I keep mine indoors, many in hanging baskets ...). Some buds are usually aborted, just as on most cacti, but it has nothing to do with if the plants are turned or not. I don't understand where that comes from, maybe it's a myth or a misinterpretation. It would be interesting if someone has actually seen bud drop on a plant that has been turned, and has information on possible differences in temperature/humidity differences between the two sides of the plant.

Norma, I am pretty new to Christmas Cactus but slowly getting a small collection, so I won't be much help.

I am also fortunate that I've not had any bud drop due to turning or moving my CC's. I've even re-potted it once while it was in bud(before I knew this was not recommended) because the soil was Peat and soaking wet and I didn't want it to rot. 90% of the buds opened! I'm sure it was beginner's luck,lol..

Likely w/ the peat it wouldn't have rotted. The more common risk w/ peat is that the rootball hardens & turns rock hard, becoming impossible to re-wet, which eventually kills the plant from thirst. Esp. w/ you in FLA, I doubt tht would have happened.

But I've seen it myself, one waters & yet the plant dies of thirst. Turns out I'd been gifted one & w/out checking the mix it came in. That's what happened, one could see it as the whole rootball turned to rock & pulled away from the sides of the plant.

Thanks for the explanation of the whole peat thing. I think for me, during the Fl summer rainy season, they are a little bit of a challenge to keep dry outside(which is where I like to keep them most of the year). I have forgotten or not been home to take them inside and had one die on me...best guess is it just got too wet and the roots rotted. I will try and do much better this year. But, I know what you mean about the cement thing, I've seen it once or twice when I try to repot an old plant that was given to me.

Perhaps in all your humidity, a lot of perlite or pumice would keep it super fast draining, which I'm guessing would help it dry. Tropical IS what they're native to & in the crooks of trees, where they grow in nature, whatever leaf debris, etc. collects around them would prob,. be pretty light. As least this is some of what I've read & learned abt them over the yrs.

Thank you for your suggestions...wish me luck!

If it were mine and because you live in zone 7 I would wait till spring and definitely after its done blooming and warms up, just my humble opinion...good luck!
:o)

Thanks for the article...No, you didn't waste your time posting it here. That article is very helpful and we appreciate you posting it. Thanks...I'm sure many will find it very useful, I know I did.

Norma I am learning alot from you sitting back and reading so much here, and your posts. Then applying what you suggest..

You can never waste your time here..

Thanks so much!!

Mike..:-)