The Christmas cactus plant in the two photos here was living in this house before we moved in 12½ years ago. We found it in the garage when we got here. I water it occasionally, and I've taken cuttings from it several times to start plants in new pots, but I've never repotted it. I do fertilize it every year.
I took these photos of the cactus de Noël day before yesterday (Dec. 21, 2015). As you see, plant has actually bloomed at Christmas this year. Some years the blossoms appear earlier, and some years they appear later. I wonder if the plant might be 20 years old now, or older. It has always thrived on neglect, because nobody really lived here year-round until we arrived in 2003.
Today is a special market day. There's a special market for Christmas today down in Saint-Aignan, replacing the usual Saturday event. I've ordered a turkey and I'll go pick it up in a few hours. Then I have to go to SuperU to pick up some other supplies for our Christmas dinner. The weather is staying warm for December. It's interesting that we just spent seven thousand euros for a new boiler and new valves on all our radiators, and we're having such mild weather that we've hardly needed it so far.
That is a smashing Christmas Cactus....
ReplyDeleteThey do wonderfully on neglect!!
Enjoy SuperU...
Pauline had an appointment in Chatellerault yesterday...
so I went to Auchan....
should've know what was af'f'f'f'foot....
when I had to wait for a trolley before I could go in...
and to help the frantic shopper....
there was a pallet-lifter and a member of staff 'stocking up' the shelves....
in...
almost...
every...
aisle!!
Hell on wheels!!
SuperU in Saint-Aignan wasn't too bad this morning. It wasn't really crowded. The customers shopping were mostly people older than I am, though, and they were very slow -- especially since they were all stopped with their carts in nearly every aisle reminiscing, socializing, and causing shopping-cart traffic jams.
DeleteI have been to the Harris Teeter every day for the past few days, hope not to go today...trying my hand at another yule log, maybe a chocolate one this time...did the mushroom decorations yesterday (but I had to make do for a pastry bag...so the shrooms will be a bit odd) We have an "orphans" dinner on Xmas Eve, weather feels very tropical & very wet.....Have a wonderful Xmas!
ReplyDeleteI hope the bûche de Noël has turned out to be beautiful and delicious. Happy Christmas Eve and Day.
DeleteI have a cactus that blooms for Thanksgiving. What do you use to fertilize yours? It's warm and wet here in Alabama. Melinda's yule log sounds promising.
ReplyDeleteI use a fertilizer that is called "engrais universel" in France. It's for house plants in general. I only feed the Christmas Cactus when the "leaves" start to look a little shriveled.
DeleteYour Christmas cactus is lovely. We have a smaller relative outside that is also blooming.
ReplyDeleteOn our side of the pond, there is a turkey shortage this year; I've no idea why.
Are you two doing a tree, or decorating that nice spruce in your yard?
We have a nice-looking artificial tree. Hasn't Walt posted a picture of it this year? If not, I'll have to do so. Happy Holidays.
Deletelovely flower
ReplyDeleteThe flowers really are beautiful, aren't they?
DeleteOh wow .. I haven't seem them so fully flowered ! NY I guess, it is hard on Christmas cacti :)
ReplyDeleteNeglect the Christmas Cactus. It will love you for it.
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