This is a first for me.
My Christmas cactus filled with blooms once. Beautiful pink buds and blooms! I was sure it was a Christmas miracle. Much to my surprise, she came to life again at the end of February. I can't contain myself. Never, in all my {limited} history of growing things, has a plant flourished like this. I guess she's where she belongs!
Let me back up.
A dear friend gave me this plant in December of 2015. Miss Cactus came to me with a smile, and warmth and the comfort that comes from a simple gesture between friends. I managed to keep her alive until we moved at the end of March, 2016. I really wanted her to survive the move with me. Once in our new home, she got a pretty new pot and her own place in a sunny corner of our living room. I was delighted that, during the summer and fall months, fresh new 'leaves' of green sprouted from each 'branch' {I really should learn cactus lingo...cause I'm pretty sure leaf and branch don't apply...} Next thing you know it was Christmas, and tiny pink buds began to emerge. By mid January there were so many blooms!! As they faded, I was sad to see that bright burst of fuchsia disappear from our winter landscape.
Back to present day...
As I sit quietly writing this post, my cactus is, once again, in FULL bloom! Mid February brought tiny new buds, and they have quickly filled the corner {and me!} with the bright joys of color and whimsy and possibility. I do believe this beautiful plant has found her home.
This {truly} is a first for me...
Two things struck me, when my dear friend Miss Cactus bloomed for the second time. The first was the thought that maybe, just maybe, I could help plants to thrive....both inside and out. I've wanted to, and taken some small steps...so I'm hoping that her growth will spur me along the path towards a green thumb. The second thing that struck me was that, like Miss Cactus, I am home. As she flourishes, I too am flourishing. As she blooms, I too bloom. As I watch her, I know that blooms need not come every season... that there are seasons of rest, and green....and fantastic seasons of bloomin' fuchsia!! I think we are both right where we belong.
Thanks, Lynn....for the friendship, and the little plant that came with me.
And thank, Miss Cactus, for giving me more than I could have ever imagined!!
Joining friends for Scene and Story and Life Through the Lens
That plant is gorgeous! I have terrible luck with plants, and my daughter is just the opposite. Oh well...there needs to be people to make plants grow and other people to photograph them...that is my role :) You can certainly be one of the growers!
ReplyDeleteGreat image and loved reading about her story too.
ReplyDeleteMine keeps blooming this year too!! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful insight!
ReplyDeleteYou and that flowering cactus have become the best of friends. You must have been thrilled to have a second flowering so soon after that first one!
ReplyDeleteOh, I can relate to this! My "Christmas cactus," which I've had for 17 years now, always bloomed at Thanksgiving. This year, for the first time, it actually bloomed in December and the blossoms lasted through Christmas. And now it's blooming again...five blossoms opened last week and a dozen more buds are growing fat in preparation for opening. It has NEVER bloomed at this time of year before. I'm taking it as a symbol of hope. Thank you for sharing your Scene & Story.
ReplyDeletelove this so much!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful cactus! I've never had a Christmas cactus. My mom has one and she also has a Thanksgiving Cactus. Yes, one blooms at Thanksgiving and the other at Christmas. Maybe I should get me a plant and see what it does in my house.
ReplyDeleteYour cactus is beautiful! My Christmas cactus has one bloom on it right now, which means I am doing something right...but I still have room to improve.
ReplyDeleteThose bright fuscia blooms are so cheerful! It must be wonderful to be settling into a new place and feel truly at home!
ReplyDeleteLove you, your cactus, and your friend Lynn too! Hope to see all three of you soon.
ReplyDeleteOXOX
Such a sweet story and I am happy for you that your Christmas cactus is blooming again and bringing such joy to your home!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story and beautiful plant. :)
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to find a Christmas cactus - one for me and one for a friend. :)
ReplyDeleteYour christmas cactus looks as if it is very happy in your home, and these are such beautiful plants
ReplyDeletethere is nothing quite as happy as fresh blooms in the house, and a story like this!!!
ReplyDeleteLet me share this on your lovely blog, A neighbor of mine developed dementia, then her husband died, no children or family nearby. I am thankful our closest neighbor, an African American woman, introduced Dr Itua Herbal Medicine, A traditional herbal doctor in which we purchased a herbal product for her through his Dr Itua online herbs store. A former social worker stepped in and led the way to place the widow in a care facility. We visit nearly every week until she finishes drinking Dr Itua herbal medicines, if possible. The two of us take simple games, puzzles, and matching cards to do with her, staying about 2 hours. Jenga, Trouble, puzzles 100pcs or less, 20 cards to match (total-not 40!). The fishing game where the fish open and shut their mouths as they go around is lots of fun! We sit and chat with her until she gets well again, then we pull out a game and the three of us laugh together as we play. We take a variety of things to do so that we won't get bored. She finished Dr Itua herbal medicines and she's fine now and doing better with the help of Dr Itua herbal medicines, Dr Itua cures different illnesses with his herbal medicines. Anyone having a sick person should reach Dr Itua email drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com. We hug and hold hands a lot. Having two of us go together really helps. But I can go alone, my neighbor cannot, as she saw so much of this during her years as a social worker. I hope this specific list helps others in this situation.
ReplyDeleteThanks.