Christmas Cacti
As I mentioned in an earlier post, our Christmas Cacti are in full bloom. They were outside all summer and through the autumn. My sister had told us not to bring them in until a hard freeze, so they came in just before the big storm at Halloween. We don’t pay much attention to the house plants; leave ’em out in the warm months, bring ’em in during the winter, and they seem to like it. The rosemary is still outside and looks great. I hope it survives the winter.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
Wow, never have seen that many blooms on a Christmas Cactus before. Nice.
beautiful photo…I always found that out in summer and in in winter worked well with Christmas Cactus! I managed to kill my two cactus when I put them on the patio this summer and the sun fried them (my fault of course)
thank you for this image
I put many of my house plants outside in the summer, as well. My Christmas Cactus’ bloomed outside this summer and are again in bloom. I have several colors, but my favorite now is a beautiful bright peach color!
My Christmas cacti have suffered this year. I keep watering and caring for them even though a couple pots hold two or three sad stalks. Two days ago I saw red buds on the tiniest of the survivors. This glorious discovery at the tail end of a year of divorce and sorrow felt enormous. Next year it will be outside in summer and back inside for the winter.
Katherine, thanks for your comment. It is great how we can find hope in the smallest of places. It is a sign of survival and optimism that you surely were looking for. All the best for the next year. Jon
I bring my rosemary in because it is in such a small pot, but next year I think I am going to transplant it straight into the garden. Supposedly they are an evergreen. We shall see.
Your Christmas cacti obviously like what you have done for them. They are flat-out glorious.
I also really like the little mat they are sitting on. It is in the style of an art-deco Chinese rug, isn’t it?
meetzorp, In what part of the country do you live? I have tried leaving the rosemary out during two different winters, and have lost them both. (I am in Western Mass.) If you are south of me, I bet yours should survive.
I am happy you noticed the little rug. It belonged to my grandmother and then my late parents. I got it when my mom died a few years ago, and it means a lot to me. Thanks so much. Jon
I am in the Kansas City area – we definitely have a more mild climate than western Massachusetts!
Your little rug inspired me – I am in the midst of designing an appliqued purse made of layers of felt in the sort of style/pattern of the old Chinese Art Deco rugs.