A Christmas Decoration (Fun & Macro Monday)

Gattina, Writer Cramps, has asked to see our favorite Christmas decoration for the Fun Monday project this week.

Mine happens to be alive and blooming - for well over 50 years. We always call it  "Mom's Christmas Cactus," because I retrieved it from her home when she passed away sixteen years ago.




It did not bloom for several years and I was afraid that I didn't have the green thumb for zygo-cactus.   Fortunately, it grieved and I found a rhythm for feeding and watering. Now it is a faithful provider of lovely blossoms every winter.  Three years ago it bloomed from November until April.

The plant is very large - and thus susceptible  to breakage from the people and pets who move about.  The pieces that break off are placed in water to root and then shared with other family members.  Each of my daughters has their plant growing from "Mom's Christmas Cactus."  But, now I think that "Mom's" refers to me.

In November 2006, I posted this similar declaration of love for this plant.  It is so special to me that I don't mind sharing it one more time.




Play Fun Monday at Writer Cramps and Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos

(The Flash pictures on this post were taken Sunday evening  - because I forgot to take a photo during the daylight.)

Comments

Connie said…
Say it ain't so, sweetpea!! You can create, just set your mind to it. You need encouraging? Come see me!
xoxo,
Connie
Müge said…
I've never seen this kind of cactus before. It's beautiful and special indeed.

I wish you and your family a Happy New Year! :-)
Mariposa said…
Very lovely! I wish I have one at home. :)

Happy new year to you and to yours!
Johnny Nutcase said…
excellent, 50 years!? nice! good post!
Rechie said…
the first three photos are still considered macro shots and these flowers are stunning...i can't resist not to look at it..

i haven't seen this kind of flower yet and i wish i can have some of this in my garden

thanks for sharing such lovely shots

mine is here
Colleen said…
I do believe that first shot is definitely macro. And 50 years!! I'm lucky if I keep a plant alive for 50 minutes!
Gattina said…
That's quite a special plant ! I have seen it here already but I didn't know that it is called a "Christmas Cactus" and that it blooms just at the right time. That's a wonderful decoration !
DesLily said…
my brother had one that always bloomed but I had no room to take anything moving into a tiny place as I did..they are beautiful!
Yvonne said…
How beautiful!!!
Unknown said…
I think that's the biggest one I've seen! It's very pretty and special I'm sure since it was your mom's. When I was going through chemo we bought two of them. Hubs cared for one, I cared for the other, mine died, his is still living, lol.
villager said…
Lovely photos - that Christmas cactus is HUGE! It's so neat that you saved it from your mother and are passing it on like that. My mom grew them for years, but she had let hers go so there was nothing to rescue when she died. Thank you for sharing the story and photos and Happy New Year!
Birgitta said…
Great photos of theese beautiful cactusflowers!
Jientje said…
That's precious, what a lovely souvenir to your Mom. My father used to grow these when I was a kid. I don't have one, I almost wish I did, but I would probably kill it. Indoor plants are not really my speciallity!
Intense Guy said…
That is a beautiful flower! I hope your lives on and on! And that all its offspring do too. I suspect it thrives mostly on regular love and attention.
jay said…
Wow, fifty years is pretty good going! I do love those Christmas cacti, and I've had them and kept them for several years but right now I don't have any. They died. I have no green fingers, that's for sure.

Love the name of your blog - I have a little plaque that says 'Housework won't kill you, but why take the chance?'
grammy said…
The Cactus plant is beautiful. You have done a great job keeping it alive.
Loved your foggy pictures of Mount Hood and the drive. Sounds like a great get together.
So glad your Grandson had a good report....praying for your SIL.
I have just came up for air after Christmas and the daughters wedding (o: having fun catching up.
Anonymous said…
Such a beautiful plant. You've done it justice with your photo sequence.
Sayre said…
Oh, that is gorgeous!!! I think plants can grieve. And I'm glad it recovered to give you more years of beautiful blooms. I wonder how long this plant can live?
Dimple said…
You have a beautiful plant there; I like cacti, but they generally don't survive my care. Thanks for sharing, and for the visit..
Marvin said…
A beautiful Christmas Cactus -- and such a wonderful story about its longevity and family history.
Dave said…
I love Christmas cactus - we used to have one in our house when I was growing up. Nice photographs, especially the first one!
How marvelous that your mom's Christmas cactus blooms year after year so beautifully. The white azalea a friend gave me when my mom died in 1989 struggles to survive in my yard ... but does provide lovely white blossoms every now and again.
Hugs and blessings,
A beautiful blooming keepsake! I have never had much luck with them.. I have heard that they can be difficult for some people..looks like you are doing just fine:)
Diane said…
My husband's grandma had a cactus just like yours and she called it a Christmas cactus too. It's beautiful!
Amanda Moore said…
Pam!
this is awesome my mom has a Christmas cactus as well but it is not as healthy as yours! What memories this brought back to me, I am sure one day it will be in my home, I hope it takes off like yours did it looks amazing!
JoeinVegas said…
Our relatives back east used to have those as well. Can't seem to do much with houseplants here in Vegas, too dry.
Merle said…
Hi Pamela ~~ I love your plant and the fact that it belonged to your Mom. I have several, but we call them Zygo-cactus here in Australia.
I have a huge maiden hair fern that belonged to my mother and she has been dead for 32 years. I hope your sister-in-law gets on OK and little
Jammin's eye continues to heal.
Have a very Happy New Year in 2010
Take care, Love, Merle.
kailani said…
I think it's so cool that you can just replant the branches that come off. How fitting that it's being spread out among your family.
Irene said…
Lovely, Pam!

Have a spectacular New Year!

Cheers from Manila! :)
dawn said…
What gorgeous colour. I have never seen them so bright.

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