You might be astounded that I only got two blooms. You might be wondering how I got Christmas Cactus blooms this year when it's barely February. You might be speculating that I should take up another hobby besides tending plants if I only got two blooms.
Well, you might be right.
But I am Proudy.
You might be Proudy, too, when you find out that I got this plant at a larger-than-life, chain retail store (that I strongly suspect puts crack in their lighting system). It was after Christmas when it didn't have any flowers on it anymore...if it ever did. I didn't even know what color it might bloom. It was 50% off...and really it should've been 75% off. It looked pathetic under the harsh florescent lighting on the rolling rack near the checkstands. I knew it was in its final hours unless it suffered human intervention, so I bought this plant after my first Christmas living in Colorado because I felt sorry for it. I did.
Almost half the plant withered and died due to the plant rack being caught in a collision course twice (to my knowledge) with a boy-and-his-dog-wrestling match. My plants on my plant rack have very little room and have been spilled onto the carpet by said boy (who, incidentally, puts forth the idea that the dog made him do it). My plants live in terror of being toppled and not all have survived unscathed. Case in point: this Christmas Cactus.
Also, I had a little repotting fiasco in which I might have been overly generous with my watering, something I could've controlled better had I taken the time to read a bit more on how to care for Christmas Cactus. I learned a lesson, though, don't over-water. Just don't.
Last year this sweet, tenacious plant made a heroic effort and had a few semi-promising buds before going bust. It was so exciting to see those teeny pink buds and I was heartbroken when they fell off without flowering. At least I knew the flowers, if any showed up, were one of my favorite colors.
Over this past year I've toyed with the idea of chucking the thing, but somehow I just couldn't do it. I felt like it needed another chance. I kept watering it (sparingly) and trying to shield it from damage.
We went through the Christmas holiday and buds started on it the week of Christmas. So, once again, just
And then...and THEN! Two separate buds on two separate stems burst into bloom and made a radiant display of it! And you know what? I didn't even care that the blooms were in January. In fact, I was just plain Proudy that those gorgeous, hot pink flowers showed up at all.
It's true.
And I think there are a few lessons about life in that, don't you?
- If you think you stand half a chance of making a difference, try!
- You're going to make mistakes, so exploit them by learning from them.
- Don't be in such a hurry.
- Give things another chance.
- Enjoy beauty when it shows up...even if it wasn't your timing.
Two years with this plant and that's what I've learned. I think it's been a huge success, and I'm looking forward to more. I might not have a green thumb, but I'm trying.
2 comments:
1. One of my favorite things, EVER: rescuing the sick, discounted plants. At Wal-mart even. Those fluorescent lighting bastards. -Oh, Scus'e Mua-
2. Mulan: Its the flower that blooms in adversity.
3. Better late than never.
4. I'd cry, but I can't, right at this moment, even though I'd like to, so maybe I'll wait- if nothing elae for for my pricks to turn to blooms. The passerby's should not be offended if I bid them a healthy, 'Go to hell,' while I wait for my hot pink.
5. You are Fuscia, Fran.
xoxxo
-Svet
Once again, we share similar experiences! I remember coming home to a broken glass lampshade and being told that the dog caused it to happen. And I am the proud owner of one of those clearance cacti that all the little buds fell off. I like the leaves and green color indoors anyway despite having no flowers. You've given me hope that the little thing might bloom yet - I read they like to be root bound (no spills and falls) and yes, very little water. Great photo, thanks for posting. Rita
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