Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas Cacti are frequently discussed by gardeners. There are different views as to the care and maintenance of the Christmas Cacti and some gardeners face frustration in getting them to rebloom. Part of this is because the Christmas Cacti are originally forest cacti growing at elevations of between 1000 metres (3280ft) and 1700 metres (5575ft) above sea level in the mountains south-east of Brazil, South America. Christmas cacti will actually keep their blossoms longer in cooler temperatures than the other cacti we are more used to.

The Christmas Cacti are best kept in a well-lit location away from drafts from sources of hot air. Avoid direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves and stunt growth of the cacti. Drafts can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have opened. The plants will wilt when under drought stress. When the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, water the plant thoroughly.

Christmas Cactus are a popular gift.

Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree

Unusual Facts about a Christmas Tree...

The great Christmas tree that stands in London's Trafalgar Square each year comes from Norway. It is a gift from the people of Oslo, Norway to the City of Westminster. This tradition started in 1947 and is a thank you for help during World War II.

In King's Canyon National Park, California is a massive sequoia known as 'The General Grant Tree'. It is over 4000 years old and stands over 267 feet (90 metres) high. This tree was made the official national Christmas Tree of America in 1925 and every year a Christmas service is held at its base.

Since 1931 America has celebrated Christmas around a tree at the Rockefeller Center, New York. That year was during the Great Depression and workers placed the tree there when they queued up to collect their wages. There have been various different activities around this Christmas tree ever since. In 1933 there were 700 bulbs on the tree and in 1991 the number had grown to 25300 bulbs.

The tallest cut tree according to the Guinness Book of Records was put up at the Northgate Shopping Centre, Seattle, Washington in December 1950. It was a Douglas fir and stood 221 feet (67 meters) tall. The tallest tree ever measured was also a Douglas fir. In 1902 it was measured in Canada and stood 415 feet (126.5 meters) high.