When I think of a potted plant for the Christmas holidays, I think of the poinsettia. We’ll buy one, then let it die, and buy another one next year.

But another plant (perhaps in 2nd place) that folks don’t let perish is the Christmas cactus, known scientifically as Schlumbergera.

Visiting my parents in Burleson over Thanksgiving, I noticed my mom’s was blooming. At our office, our administrative assistant has another one that is blooming even better. The one at the office has lasted four years here, and much longer before it was gifted.

Originating from coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil near the Atlantic Ocean, this sub-species of cactus grows in a region which is generally relatively cool, shaded and has high humidity.

Historical records state that it was in cultivation in Europe 200 years ago in 1818. They were in the first greenhouses and prized for their fall and winter blooms. By 1852, they had fallen out of favor and most cultivars were lost.

But starting in the 1950’s, breeding resumed in North America, Europe and even Australia and New Zealand. Without going into extensive progeny and cultivar selection, there are four main cultivar groups in use today.

The flowers range in color from red, yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia, and white or combinations of those colors.

If you are given a Christmas Cactus, place it in a sunny location indoors. A north or east window gives the ideal light. If you want to grow it indoors in a south or west window, be sure that it gets some shade, even if is from the blinds.

Christmas cactus is easy to grow for most. The complaints often center on getting it to bloom again. Although warm temperatures are good during the growing season, cool temperatures are important for flowering

Christmas Cactus is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves. However, it is not completely drought tolerant. Water well when the top half of the growing mix feels dry to the touch.

Christmas cactus can be moved outdoors in summer onto a porch or patio but should be kept in a partial to full shaded area. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When fall arrives in September, move the plant indoors after making sure no insects are tagging along.

For the fall, place the Christmas cactus in a sunny location. High light intensity is important to flower development.

From October on, keep the plant where temperatures are between 60 to 65 degrees. Keep Christmas cactus away from heat vents, fireplaces, or other sources of hot air. As long as temperatures remain in this range for a period of six weeks, flower buds will develop.

Once buds form, keep Christmas cactus in the medium to high light it likes and normal home temperatures. When the top of the growing mix dries, water to keep the plant evenly moist. Fertilize Christmas cactus every other week with a half rate of liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Plants that appear unhealthy can be repotted any time of year. Follow up by applying half the recommended rate of a liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks.

Lastly, Christmas cactus is relatively easy to propagate in the warmer months of the year and can be a plant that is passed along to others during the holiday season.

With Thanksgiving behind me, I can now get ready for Christmas. I will leave the radio station on when a Christmas song comes on. Houses will be decorated, cards sent out, gifts will be bought, and a tree will be set up.

Many Americans have enjoyed the tradition of a fresh, fragrant evergreen tree as part of their Christmas celebrations. Today 30–35 million real trees are sold each holiday season, and there have never been more sources from which to select.

Freshly cut Christmas trees are available from a variety of sources – garden centers or nurseries, local retail lots and choose-and-cut tree farms. My efforts here are to help you select a fresh tree and explain the characteristics of different types of Christmas trees.

If you are going to purchase a pre-cut tree from one of many places around town, go ahead and purchase the tree early so that it can go in water closer to the time when it was cut. The longer it has been cut before you bring it home, less color and fragrance can be expected. I urge to you buy locally grown trees. Not only are locally grown trees usually fresher than those shipped from out of state, but buying local helps local growers.

While choosing your tree, select a tree that is at least one foot shorter than the ceiling height in the room where you will display your tree. A standard eight-foot ceiling means no more than a seven-foot tree.

Make sure the base of the trunk is straight and 6 to 8 inches long to allow placement in the tree stand. Many trees may need trimming so that the lower branches will not be in the way.

Look for a tree with a healthy, green appearance and few dead or browning needles. Avoid trees with a wilted look. One test is to run your hand along a branch. Needles should be fresh and flexible and should not come off in your hand.

Another test is to bump the trunk of the tree on the ground. If green needles fall off the tree, it is not fresh. You can expect a few brown needles to fall from the tree. Choose another tree if many brown needles fall off.

If you shop around you may find several varieties available. Virginia Pine is a dense, short-needled tree with artistically spiraled foliage. Its strong limbs support heavy ornaments. It has a pleasant pine fragrance and excellent needle retention.

Virginia pines are commonly available at both retail lots and choose-and-cut farms.

Other varieties to consider include Scotch Pine, Norway Spruce, Leyland Cypress, Fraser Fir or a Douglas Fir.

After arriving home, remove one or two inches from the base of the trunk to encourage better water absorption. Place the trunk in a bucket of water for a day or two and keep the tree in a cool, shaded area before bringing it indoors.

When setting up your tree, locate it away from any heat source that can accelerate drying. Christmas trees can absorb a lot of water, so place the tree in a stand with a generous capacity, at least one quart or larger. Check the water level each day and add water as needed. Depending on size and other factors, a tree may absorb as much as a gallon of water the first day.

Since real Christmas trees are biodegradable, after the holidays they can be converted into landscaping mulch or put to other organic uses. Each year the City of Lufkin offers a Christmas tree recycling service.

Around the farm, trees can be cleaned of all decorations can be sunk in a pond to provide structure and habitat for fish.

Above all else, I hope you have a great start to this Christmas season. Keep your tree watered and keep candles and heat sources away from it.