FLORIDA CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

Last year, Jackie & John Ike gave me a BEAUTIFUL Christmas Cactus, hot pink. I forgot to take pics, and by the time I remembered to do so, Blossom Drop had taken effect (I should NOT have brought it into the house; lesson learned) When I read instructions on forcing the next blooming period, the first item struck me: Leave outside until frost is predicted Seeing as frost is not predicted here in Florida, at least not 'til January, I decided to leave it on the patio, only taking it into a protected area if temps were predicted below 45 degrees or so. This way, not only would it get the cold it needed, it would also get a natural light/dark routine. Also, no water except a small amount, with flower fertilizer. Lo and behold . . . flower buds began to form (I am easily thrilled) . . . 8 December 2018 . . . dozens of 'em! Even the lobes that CRUSA foster MICKEY IN FLORIDA chewed off showed incipient buds; some of them TWO on the same lobe. 16 December 2018 P> I knew it wasn't going to be a CHRISTMAS Cactus this year; more likely a Valentine Cactus, but that's fine with me! 25 December 2018 So I said to myself, "Self, looks like your green thumb finally made its way down here from Wisconsin," where I had many green plants and several amaryllis that bloomed, over and over again, for years. I thought to start looking for bulb kits; many stores have those available as Christmas gifts. On 22 December, at our lunch and doggie playdate, Jackie Ike brought in four of these . . . P> . . . two for me, and two for Patricia & Henry Yarnot-Mushinsky (whose card and dogs you'll see later in this website). P> And that's what Christmas has been like on Lake Tarpon . . . dogs, friends, flowers, fireplace . . . what more could a person ask for?

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