Holiday Cactus

When you pick out your cactus, choose one with buds, not blooms. That way you can enjoy the blooms much longer. Stay away from droopy or wrinkled leaves.

Keep your cactus in a brightly lit room and water it once a week. Fertilize it until it blooms, then stop fertilizing. Don't fertilize again until blooms drop and about two months after that.

• Pinch off a leaf at the joint. It should be about two segments long.
  
• Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone powder.
  
• Plant it in a pot with cactus potting soil and water.
  
• Put several cuttings in one container.
  
• Place a plastic bag over the top to hold in the moisture.
  
• Keep the plastic bag on for four to six weeks.
  
• Keep in a well lit room.

If you do everything right, you should have a beautiful cactus in bloom to enjoy.