Have an Epiphyte for the Holidays

A Hampton Gardener family heirloom Christmas cacti. Over the past 50 years it’s lived in Great Neck, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Queens and Westchester. Each time it’s moved its flowering schedule changed, but it’s reliably flowered every year with very little care. ANDREW MESSINGER

The holiday cacti flowers are quite intricate. With several flower petals the flower itself can be several inches long. The violet in this specimen is a bit more striking than on the more common pink varieties. ANDREW MESSINGER

Buds begin to develop at the tips of the segments in the fall and depending on the lighting they can open for several weeks. If not turned regularly it’s not uncommon for flowers to open first on the shady side of the plant with the brighter side flowering days to weeks later. ANDREW MESSINGER

This is a pair of leaf segments about 2 inches long. These pieces can be easily rooted to form a new plant but several pieces are usually used to fill out. Three or four pieces would be perfect in a 4-inch pot. Be mindful of top (left) and bottom (right) parts of the segment as only the bottom will root. Let the cutting callus for a day before striking in wet sand or peat or use a rooting hormone #1 on the cut end. ANDREW MESSINGER