bsmitch's Blog

This is my Christmas cactus and it has a great story. The blooms do not produce seeds, therefore it is propagated with cuttings. My plant was handed gown from the Garden of Eden by Eve to one of my ancestors. My Great Grandmother started hers in 1870, my Grandmother started hers in 1900, my mother started hers in 1930, and I started mine in 1958. That makes my cactus plant 60 years old.
During the time of my childhood and until 1996, the cactus never bloomed. My mother  passed away in 1982. It was in December 1996 that I received my cancer diagnosis and I was frightened beyond reason. I had lost several friends and co-workers to cancer. The average time from knowledge to death was about 6 months for most of them. Yes I was scared. Out of somewhere the Christmas cactus started blooming. It was a message from my mother telling me to have faith. It gave me hope and I brought that hope with me until today and tomorrow. It has bloomed every year since that day. It had about twenty blooms this December. I've given starts to my children, their children, and many friends. I have eight starts in water rooting right now. I hope everyone enjoys this true story and the picture.

Have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell