Purple, I've enjoyed reading this thread and wanted to add my $.02 worth. The first thing I noticed is that the stems appear to be flacid.....wilty. That could be caused by over OR under watering.....whichever might cause the roots from being able to access water. In this case, I wonder if the water you're applying is evacuating before soaking the whole soil volume. One thing about these plants (all plants) is that though they need to dry out somewhat between drenchings, the potting soil must be completely saturated on watering day. This is true for all plants, even those cacti that are native to extremely arid regions. Have you ever seen "Medicine Man ", a movie starring that gorgeous specimen of manhood Sean Connery? It takes place in the rainforest of Brazil. There are scenes of my lovely Sean ziplining through the forest canopy, sharing the scenes with huge epiphytic cacti and other plants. Really neat movie. Plus, it stars Sean Connery. I get that it's difficult to understand how those prickly, barrel shaped desert cacti have ANYTHING to do those graceful rainforest plants. Here's what I "think " is a good analogy, but don't laugh at me toooooo hard if it really stinks. Take your dog into consideration for a moment. It's a mammal. So are you and the pesky squirrels in your yard. Big differences amongst those three mammals yet they share essential similarities. Still with me? Now, think of those incredible bottlenose dolphins familiar to anyone living in coastal areas. Superficially, they seem to have so little in common with your dog, but those porpoises are just another type of mammal. They live in a different environment, for sure, but the similarities are much more important than the differences. You just need to try to provide the kind of environment your dolphin needs. :-) Dorie

Not a heck of a lot.. But I took a couple of pictures of a couple of mine that I have in the very cold almost dark garage..I think I see a bud..:-) Hi everyone..All you have such beautiful plants! Thank you for helping me grow mine and for all these pictures to prove you all know what you are doing... When those Christmass lights go on Linda, please share will ya? This one has been through the ringer..I have never changed the mix, it has fallen dozens of times, it has frozen over twice, and completely gone dry from forgetting to water for weeks, and it still lives..lol..You can tell, but it is still growing bud..I am going to take better care of it now since I am liking these more and more The rest are ones I picked up over the spring.. If they should flower, I will share..Thank you Mike

second one is still available. Thanks! Tally HO! Here is a link that might be useful: Recognition and culture

Thanks TJ, for clarifying. That last link didn't appear that way at all, either of the times I tried to view its earlier listings on the thread. Yes, that's the excellent link! Norma, if that's the one you were trying to provide, thanks very much & I apologize if I've added to any confusion. It's the excellent one that I try to refer folks to by asking them to search for "holiday cacti"; I don't know how to post links, but that's the site I always recommend for care, culture & the drawings which so clearly illustrate the diff. btwn CC, TC & Easter cactus. Norma, pls. don't think I'm having any issue w/ you; I hope you know me better than that. As to anyone scolding you, I'd hope you ignore them & keep sharing your wealth of knowledge w/ those of us who wish to learn. Hugs to you, dear.