SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

Why Won’t My Christmas Cactus Bloom? (And What to Do About it)

The ground is covered with snow and winter is officially here.  But wait!  A glimmer of hope and sunshine are sure to appear amongst your houseplants.  It’s time for your Christmas cactus to bloom!

But what happens when it doesn’t?  How do you get a Christmas cactus to bloom?  And how do you care for your Christmas Cactus afterwards?

Here are 5 common solutions you can try before you give up on your poor Christmas cactus.

A fushia Christmas cactus bloom upclose.

P.S. the “Christmas Cactus” in the pictures is actually a Thanksgiving Cactus.  I’ll explain more about that in point number five.

P.P.S: If you prefer videos to reading, here’s the post in video form:

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20+ Gift Ideas for the Gardener in Your Life this Christmas

What do you get the gardener who has everything?  Sure, tools or gardening gloves are the obvious choice, but they will probably only be appreciated by the most serious of gardeners. I’ve come up with a list of pretty and practical Christmas gifts for beginners and advanced gardeners alike, as well as a few options for kids who love tagging along in the garden.

Bonus—Most of these gifts are $30 or less!!

A selection of the best gardening gifts for the gardener in your life this Christmas.

So start making your 2019 Christmas gift list and checking it twice with these finds for the plant lover in your life. I’ve linked to Amazon for all of these gifts, but I’m sure you can also find some beautiful local options as well.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase something.  You can learn more about it in my Privacy Policy.  Thanks for supporting Shifting Roots!

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12 Indoor Winter Blooming Plants to Keep Your Green Thumb Happy this Winter

If you live in the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere, you’re all too familiar with the awkward season between the last hard frost and when it’s time to start your seeds for the Spring.  Sure, you’re secretly relieved to not have to do so much work in the garden, but your green thumb is getting itchy and you’re sick of all the snow and cold.

These winter blooming houseplants provide some much needed colour when all you see is white snow and Spring seems oh-so-far away.

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Stop Killing Your Succulents and Do This Instead

We’ve all picked up a cute little succulent from the garden centre or grocery store, only to have it die a horrible death a few months later.  How could this happen?  Succulents are supposed to be easy!!

While succulents don’t require as much maintenance as other plants, they’re not fool-proof.  Here’s what you need to know to keep yours alive and thriving over the winter months.

Are your succulents constantly dying indoors in containers or terrariums? Here's how to care for them instead, plus some tips for propagating tired looking succulents into beautiful decor. #succulents #indoorgardening

Disclaimer: I garden in zone 3b on the Canadian Prairies.  While I make every effort to make my advice as applicable to as many people as possible, growing conditions in your area might be vastly different.  However, I love to hear from readers in other areas, so let us know in the comments if there’s a different way to keep succulents alive where you live!

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How to Divide and Propagate Succulents

Two years ago one of my students gave me a pot of succulents as a thank you gift.  My love affair with succulents began.  They did well that first summer, then over the winter one of the varieties died and the other two looked not far behind.  I kept them alive until the summer, added a few more to my collection, and got much better at keeping my plant babies happy.

Do your succulents look like they are at death’s door?

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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