Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri)

Isn't that pretty?

Lovely colour and form ...

Christmas cactus, Easter cactus, whatever next Birthday cactus? that could extend to the whole year, pretty.

Its a very pretty delicate colour Mari ,it will give you loads of pleasure year after year ...

DD, see next pic now it's fully open.

Indeed it is, Shirley.

Maybe it will, Siris, I'd quite like having one for each season.
It's interesting discovering the differences apart from time of flowering, I would like a Schlumbergera truncata
(Thanksgiving Cactus) as its flowers are different again & very pretty.

I hope so, Amy, care to share how you keep your going?

Mari I never water mine from the top I pour a little hot water into the bowl of the container the pot stands in I do that about once a week and then also give it a little light spray with water to freshen the foliage .. don't water it very much in the summer months just enough to keep it going ...Good luck x

Amy, this is what I read:
Immediately after flowering has finished, this cacti requires a one month resting period. During this month, restrict water to keep the soil moist only, and do not offer fertilizer. After the month, resume watering and fertilizing on a regular basis. Beginning in January, move the plant to a cool room: 50-65°F (10-18°C) during the day and 45-55°F (7-13°C) at night. Provide at least 14 hours of darkness daily by covering the plant with a box or keeping it in an interior closet. Continue until buds form.

That sounds right Mari I must admit I've never read the 'proper' instructions I put mine out in the greenhouse after they've finished flowering usually on the bottom shelf in the shade until I see buds again and then bring them back inside , I didn't know they liked to be kept in the dark its a wonder mine have survived Lol I'd better go and find some boxes to cover them with ,thanks for your info. x

Yours is a Christmas cactus, isn't it?
If it is treatment is pretty much the same except a bit warmer & more humidity. I looked it up for you:

Once the Christmas cactus has ceased all flowering (usually by fall), or about six to eight weeks before you want the plant to rebloom, you should allow the plant to begin its dormancy cycle by cutting back on moisture and reducing both light and temperature. Simply cut back the watering and make sure the plant receives 12-14 hours of darkness and average temperatures around 50-55 F. (10-12 C.).

I have enjoyed reading about the care of the Christmas Cactus as my daughter gave me one last year. Sadly it has not flowered yet, so I shall follow the care plan and await a flower or two!

I hope it works for you, Shirley, they are def worth going to a little extra trouble for.

Thanks for your help Mari ,Yes mine is a Christmas one ,I have 3 ,the funny thing is the one which always blooms brilliantly I've had it for years is in the cloakroom window in full blazing hot sun especially in the summer I'm not going to change its 'home' because it obviously like it ,I have put the others out in a shady area of the greenhouse ,fingers crossed ... One of mine is a cutting I accidentally broke a leaf off and re-potted it ,it took quite a while to grow a decent size but its coming along nicely now ....

You have the magic touch, Amy, plants don't read the books, lol

I have added this to my Favourites for future reference regarding the care of these plants ... many thanks Gf ... :o)

Glad to help, Shirley.

That's a lovely photo of an Easter Cactus, GF!

Mine never looked the slightest like your as I've grown all my "Holiday Cacti" (Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter) all in more or less the same 2 1/2 inch pots for years with no change, no even the compost!

They used to spend the whole year round in a south-west facing windowsill & I used to see them flowering about this time most years. I used to see the leaf pads go red during the high intensity light of the summer but never thought anything about it. They flowered as usual every year & continued to live so I left well alone! Then about 3 years ago I removed the small TV in the corner of the kitchen & put all my Holiday Cacti in its place. Bad luck for my Easter Cacti as I probably overwatered them & all of them had to be thrown away. I may possibly have just one plant left.

They are still in the south-west facing window but no longer ON the windowsill. There are also lace curtains that filter the light & so they probably like that situation better as the leaf pads no longer turn red during the summer & the plants generally look better.

I keep mine in conservatory & as it's dark from 4pm round to gone 6am they are getting their 14hrs of darkness plus it's cool at night as well.
Yours in southwest position is just right as they seem happy plants.