The photo above is of a pair of blooms on my "Christmas Cactus." I suppose I could rename it "Epiphany Cactus," as it began to set its first buds only last week. I've had this plant, a gift from a church member, for several years, but this is the first time it has had more than one or two flowers.
I always assumed that it was the amount of light the plant receives that plays the major role in bud-setting. If only I had taken the time to do a bit of research, I would have learned that it is also lower temperatures that encourage buds. Optimum bud-setting temperature for this plant is between 58 and 65 degrees Farenheit. In my efforts to conserve on energy costs, I've been keeping my thermostat set to the 65 degree mark during the daytime, and cooler at night. It seems to have worked.
I also learned from the weekly gardening column in our state newspaper that this plant can be placed outside during the summer, kept watered and occasionally fertilized, then brought inside in the fall. I (more or less) know what to do with daylilies, but most of my houseplants live or die on their own.
The sun was bright from sunrise to sundown and the outside temperature climbed above the 50 degree (F) mark. There was a continual run-off from my roof, a most welcome sight and sound. The only remaining snow appears to be in mostly sun-free spots on the north side of the house.
We're supposed to have several days of rain this coming week but, so far, there is no snow in our forecast. However, as one of my banking friends used to say, "A thing is not a thing until it's a thing." I don't think we can assume we will have no more snow this winter. One of the heaviest snowfalls in the Little Rock area since I've lived here occurred on February 20.
That's about it for this 15th day of the new year. Tomorrow is also a day.
