Beginner Gardening: Christmas Cactus, 1 by cynthiamp

cynthiamp wrote:
Hey, I just wanted to let you know there may still be hope for your Cactus. I have been pampering my mother's (aka black thumb) Christmas Cactus for about 3 years now. It was putting on buds but they always fell off before they bloomed. I found out if you over water while it is budding/blooming they will drop off. Mom's cactus lives on a North/East window sill year round in the woods, zone 7b. So it really does not get much sun at all. I feed it it on a regular basis when it is putting on new leaves and in Nov-Jan. I feed mine Miracle Grow liquid plant food for African Violets. I use about 10 drops to a 20 oz. bottle. I have heard people say that you should not feed them, but I proved it works for Mom's plant. I have noticed that the blooms are always on new growth. If yours does not have any new growth then you should feed it. The cool temperatures are a big factor. This plant is by the coolest window in the house. When the blooms start to fill out I turn the plant around so I can see the blooms, note the Christmas picture. Now the other side of the plant that has been by the window for a month is putting on blooms. It is now a Christmas/Valentine Cactus!