Grammy's Christmas Cactus

If it's November, the Christmas cactus must be blooming.


Yup, just like clockwork, this ancient plant, having spent the previous 11 months neglected and dusty, bursts into full bloom. It doesn't seem to matter where it is in the house, or care that it's spent another full year stuck in that same tiny pot, because it just likes it that way.

We inherited this old girl from Erin's Grammy. Erin remembers seeing it at Grammy's house when she was 3 or 4 years old, so we're figuring this here Christmas cactus is almost 50 years old, or at least older than we are.



The really amazing thing is that since we got it in the mid-90's, we've never reportted it. Frankly, I'm scared to take it out of the pot, for fear of upsetting the plant's cozy surroundings. Plus, I don't know the first thing about taking care of a cactus.

If this one's taught me anything, it's to just ignore them. So they can surprise you once a year. And remind you to start thinking about Christmas shopping.