Hi Toni, I want you to know that it warms my heart to have you ask if I called my neurosurgeon. I did call my neurosurgeon yesterday morning. The neurosurgeon's nurse told me to keep an eye on the swelling. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the condition I have. Basically it is a build up of access fluids underneath the incision. I was told that the fluids would drain on there own, and also my body absorbed will absorb the rest. Since I have no fever now and the swelling has gone done significantly, there was no concern at this point. Toni, to make you feel better, the swelling has been reduced by more than half all ready!! I am relieved(to say the least) that I don't have to be treated for this condition! I am pretty sore today but again, I know I over did it. Before my surgery, I had put a bunch of my plants in the basement. One of them was my Keylime. The morning I went to Buffalo, I brought up the plants that I knew needed to come up, but stupid me, I forgot to bring up my Key lime! After surgery I was told that I couldn't go up or down ANY stairs for at least 2 weeks. Today was my first shot at getting my Key lime, even though I knew I wasn't supposed to use the stairs. I am sure this probobly made my back hurt. I was VERY concerned that my keylime was dead but to my surprise, not only was it alive, but it was budded up and blooming. The only light that comes into my basement is from the plate glass window. Now I do get light but it isn't good enough quality for growing my tropicals. Well Toni I hope I answered most of your questions. If I Didn't, let me know and I will try again tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving and take care, Andrew

Zinia are you able to put your holiday cactus outdoors? If you can put it out under a tree or on a shaded porch and leave it until just before freezing weather it will set buds regardless of day length. A little known but useful fact. Don't let the frost hit it and don't subject it to subfreezing temps. Otherwise I'd go with the basement. After it blooms cut way back on water and let the plant rest for a few weeks. Probably in late February you'll see some new growth start, then is the time to repot.

I might as well add on a photo of a recent bloom of mine. Its a schlumbergera orssichiana hybrid named Lady Linda. They bloom on several occassions a year (not just the holidays), and have very large "hooded" blooms. This second photo shows the arched appearance, which is characteristic of the orssichiana. Enjoy!

you will run the risk of bud blast anytime you move them. If you do move them, though, I would keep them oriented the same way once they are inside. I guess that's why mine are still outside too. LOL I'm scared to move them inside. I probably won't until there's a threat of frost. Hope someone comes along with an answer!