Remember The Waltons tv show? Sure you do. But do you remember “The Homecoming”; the tv movie that was the basis for The Waltons series? It first aired in 1971, and Patricia Neal was Olivia Walton.
One part of that movie that I’ve always remembered took place when Olivia went into the basement, and was surprised to see her Christmas cactus in bloom. She had previously placed it there and had forgotten about it. I guess with all those children, it would be easy to forget a houseplant.
I don’t know why that part of the movie has stayed with me all these years, or why Christmas cacti have been a favorite plant of mine for a very long time.
And why is cacti such a strange, unnatural sounding word?
I think I know why Christmas cacti seem to do well for me. Last year, as I was buying yet another one, the owner of the greenhouse told me that I should let it dry out completely between waterings. No problem there – my plants are very accustomed to not being watered for long intervals. At least the ones that have survived. And I am trying to do better by them.
Anyway – a few of my Christmas cacti are now blooming….and it’s still several weeks before Christmas. I think they’re referred to as “holiday cacti” in stores because they bloom anywhere between Halloween and New Year’s.
And even after all these years, when I see one blooming, I think of that Waltons tv movie.
Sadly, Patricia Neal passed away in August.
“Good night, Olivia”.
these days of mine 
I love cactus! We had some planted out by our mail box that produced the most beautiful yellow flowers. Unfortunately, over the years it overwhelmed our mail box, drive way and pricked a couple kids who dared get to close during play so it was taken out. My Christmas cactus is just now budding. It has red flowers as well. Every year I watch it bud and bloom. It is like a present waiting to be opened.
Do you remember the one I had,Dianne? Or maybe you never saw it. I used to call it a Thanksgiving cactus because it bloomed in Nov. When we lived in the townhouse, it had gotten so large that it took over most of the shelf in the bay window. Unfortunately, after we got Baby and Darling, they wanted to eat it so it went upstairs in the spare room and I never thought to water it so I killed it!!
Your cacti are absolutely beautiful…Hope they show “The Homecoming” this year!
I have had a Christmas cactus now for two years and it is starting to bloom now. I water it once in a while and I really didn’t expect it to live after the first year. This will be the 3rd Christmas that it will be in bloom….I love it as I too love the Walton’s.
Your plants are beautiful. Isn’t it fun to watch them bloom this time of the year.
I have one I have had for years… The only year it bloomed at Christmas was when I purchased it. Sense then it flowers out on Thanksgiving and some times in the beginning of the year. I love it.
Mine is in bloom now on the front porch! What an interesting thing to remember and what a delightful post
Stuck with me too, i just got my first Christmas cactus this year…because of that movie.. i wanted to see somethin pretty 😊 jus like she said. A plant has never survived me, wish me, and the new plant luck. 👍