A young friend of mine brought me an Easter cactus! She is graduating from high school this year and just this month started a new part-time job working at the big greenhouse that is down the road from me.
*Easter cactus, is also known as a spring cactus or Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri. I've had a Christmas cactus for years, but only recently learned that there are three types, including one that blooms around the end of November that is known as a Thanksgiving cactus. The Easter cactus is one of three popular holiday cacti—along with the Thanksgiving and Christmas species. All three are easy to grow and make the holidays a bit more colorful.
They come in several colors. This is the one I had last year, but I made the mistake of setting the pot outdoors on the deck for the summer and a squirrel ate it!
My mom had a Christmas cactus for over 50 years, that had belonged to her great grandmother before her. The thing was huge and no telling how old it was.
Now that I know they are considered a tasty snack, I'll take better care of this one!