My Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) was given to me years ago by an elderly cousin but I haven’t treated it very well over the years (pleased to say I have treated the cousin better).
A couple of years ago I got organised and gave everything in pots fresh mix. My reward has been seeing everything pep up – and this plant is back in to flowering.
Christmas cactus in the Southern Hemisphere flower in winter. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Through the summer I was given some pieces of Zygocactus, which are part of the same family but have much bigger flowers. They’ve been growing well so fingers crossed for flowers towards the end of winter or into spring.
Although these plants are called “cactus”, they’re not desert plants but instead come from the humid jungles of Brazil (and they sometimes have just a few spines at the very base of the plant – more noticeable as they age).
Zygocactus flowers coming into bloom. Photo: Sandra Simpson
This pink and red flower is a stunner. Photo: Sandra Simpson
Sandra's Garden 