CHERYL--
Your red one looks pretty lush and healthy to me.... Maybe it has been over-fertilized?
I would give it a recovery time and see what it does next.
I would let it be--and let it "recover" from whatever care it was under before.
They do need a 4-6 month rest period after blooming. Keep watering to an absolute minimum.
Has this red one bloomed already?

Once it perks up after the recovery time--you can resume normal care. water--fertilize a bit, etc.
You can also take cuttings at this time to propagate this CC.

Gita

Karen, IDK it's my first season with one. If I didn't have ants in so many pots, a lot of them would be in the house. The plants are mostly outside again, back to a run of warm nights, so I was able to get a good look at everything again.



Cheryl, I also have a terrible time keeping any roots alive in that peat stuff that plants are sold in. I only buy ones that I can take cuttings of. Putting the root balls in the ground for summer can help get rid of the peat, pulling at it just rips off all of the roots. I don't know why they do that! It's awful to have to start with cuttings when buying a plant.

My guess is that growers use the peat mix because the now most retailers aren't going to take the time to water the plants. Which, quite sadly, is true.

So seriously. If I try to get rid of this pesky peat I will damage the roots? It's way too early to find a place in the Earth for it. Is there any other way??

The Holiday cactus are back outside. Our weather had been mild and they seem to be loving it. I noticed they got wet from bit of rain we had the other morning. So I moved them and protected them using this umbrella. Originally, I bought this for the adenium for rainy summers. But since they are safely tucked away in the greenhouse, this will protect the cacti from the coming rains.

Neat idea using the umbrella. My Cacti are pretty much finished. I have been trying to get into the greenhouse for 3 weeks and with issues at work, haven't made it yet. Hopefully I will get out there on friday morning.
I am looking for several other varieties and also some easter cacti. I would like to expand my collection this spring.
I have had a beautiful show with the varieties that bloomed this year. Loved seeing everyone's flowers too.

Hi I haven't been around here because of health issues in a long time. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and happy New Year! Here is my CC blooming Now! It's a bucklleyi Hybrid with pink Pollen.

back. That's a beauty.

Cheryl, I haven't heard of a better way of getting that stuff off of roots. I was also hoping to read about some new trick. Brilliant with the clear umbrella!

Alisa, that's absotively posilutely gorgeous! Glad to hear from you again!

Linda, I can't visit my greenhouse plants on Monday - Thurs unless I leave right on time and go straight home, for about the last 10 minutes of light. Hope you find everything in good order when you get into yours! It's usual to see EC's in stores right before Easter. Often in a spot where plants aren't usually displayed, like right by the door or cash registers. I skipped looking last year because I got married in May so that was a time when I had no extra $$ but I'll be looking this year too! What color would you love to find most? I'm scouting for orange & white.

My local nursery ( not big box), had Easter Cactus last year. I bought hot pink and orange, but they had several more colors and also two sizes. They bloomed well last year and seem to be doing well now. They have stayed outside on the patio all year. They get covered when below freezing temperatures are expected. They are NOID. I especially like the Orange one.

Tiffany, you probably didn't miss out on the EC at the BBS. BTW Congrats! I don't think you told us. You did mention moving to a new location. But I didn't put 2 + 2 together. Anyway, here in midstate SC, there weren't any to be bought. I looked and looked and even caledl a couple of out of town stores, but they didn't have any. One member who works at a supermarket near the coast said that they got some in last year. I don't know what the deal was, but I'm hoping that next year we all can find some in different colors.

Hi If your looking for Easter Cactus here are some growers Whitton greenhouse and Mattslandscape.com These are nice places to see old and new Christmas cactus varieties. This time of year maybe hard to ship plants with out heat packs in packages.l love be to trade cuttings in March. I have white , red , purple colors. It to cold to trade in the Pacific Northwest Now!

Deborah, how sad! I hope so too! And TYVM! For my bouquet, I cut a big bundle of heart-leaf Philodendron vines. My daughter & BFF were a little put out that I didn't have or want actual flowers, but they got over it. ;)

Alisa, I was all set to trade heavily in 2015 but squirrels munched my plants severely. Maybe next year I'll be back in position. Have fun with it this year!

purpleinopp said:Easter cactus has a couple blooms.

• Easter Cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)
• Uploaded by purpleinopp

Hi purpleinopp,

Have you ever had a fruit set on your Easter Cactus? Am trying to find out when a fruit should be harvested.
https://garden.org/thread/view...
Cheers

Does any know if this is ready to be pulled??

That seed pod has a way to go. It should fall off on its own or at least come off easily. In my experience, they turn red before they are ripe.

@DaisyI
Ahh, thank you. I didnt know what it was. It was givento me with it already on it. Not sure if its the same as the "fruit" ....? Which is what i thought it was. Thanx again

That's what fruit is - a carrier for seeds. Some seed pods are bigger and tastier than others, that's all. Like watermelon.

I have an unconventional question, and I'm sorry if it's been answered before...

My Thanksgiving cacti are just starting to bud.
I don't want them to bloom, because I fear it'll stress them out, and I will be unable to manage their recovery, and they will die.
(Their original mother plant died a slow death a year and a half after its last bloom.)

Is my fear even valid?
If so, how can I safely pinch off the buds without damaging the plants?
Alternatively, if I leave the buds alone to bloom, how can I best ensure they recover after blooming?

JC,
I can tell you from experience that the cactus survives quite well after blooming, provided it is cared for. I've lost quite a few of mine this past year due to neglect. Those that managed to survive my ignoring them are starting to bud. One of the pink ones is blooming its' head off!