Question:
...HAPPY NEW YEAR ... I want to transplant my blooming Christmas Cactus into another pot, but I'm nervous to touch it. When is the best time to move a blooming plant to another pot without shocking it? Also, what’s the difference between the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus?Answer:
- It’s okay to transplant a Christmas Cactus and most other plants while they are in bloom. In fact, this is the optimal time for evergreens since they are technically dormant, meaning they are not actively growing. There’s no need to wait until it finishes flowering. Transplanting now doesn’t put the plant at risk, but you should be careful not to damage the flowers.
- Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus, along with Cyclamen, offer colorful red-and-white alternatives to Poinsettias during the holiday season. They are less sensitive to warm rooms, so their foliage doesn’t discolor as quickly as Poinsettias, and they enjoy a long blooming period
- . Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are native to the tropical forests of Brazil and have a similar appearance, though they bloom at slightly different times. Thanksgiving Cactus should bloom between late October and late November, and Christmas Cacti between late November and late January.
- Most holiday cacti sold in the U.S. today are Thanksgiving cacti, not Christmas cacti, since they grow faster, ship better, and bloom earlier.
- Thanksgiving/Christmas: Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata), also known as the Zygocactus or crab cactus, gets its name from its lush green leaves with pointed “teeth” or claw-like edges. Christmas Cactus has smoother-edged leaves. The third member of this group is Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri).
- Easter cactus is the most sensitive to care lapses, which is likely why it’s the least common. However, holiday cacti are generally low-maintenance and not difficult to care for.
Question:
I‘ve started a compost pile, but I am having trouble making it hot enough for it to decompose fully. How can I make my compost pile hotter?Answer:
- There are two main types of compost piles: active and passive.
- Compost generated by heat is called an active compost pile, while passive compost forms over time. Heat is generated by repeatedly turning the material. Also, a proper balance of green and brown materials is needed.
- A fifty-fifty ratio is recommended. Grass clippings, garden trimmings, and kitchen waste are mainly used as the green component, while dry leaves make up the brown component. Shredded newspapers, cardboard strips, or straw are acceptable substitutes. It’s also good to bag falling leaves and store them for next year. The green and brown layers are alternated to build the pile.
- The key to generating heat is turning the pile regularly. This involves flipping the pile so the bottom becomes the top and vice versa. When done correctly, this creates enough heat to produce ideal compost.