January Surprise

One of the drawbacks of growing plants outside in the summer is finding a place for them when the weather turns cold.

Several plants around here hibernate in the basement during the winter. There's a long shelf beneath a couple of windows that let in some light and occasional sunshine. It's not an ideal situation but most of the hardy plants survive until spring.

The washing machine and drier are located downstairs, too. The other day, after doing a wash, I was on my way back upstairs when something caught my eye.  Walking over to the shelf near the windows, what a thrill it was to discover Christmas cactus in full bloom!

Two bright pink flowers sat at the ends of branches, facing one window. Little pink buds of flowers to come dotted several other branches. Earlier, in the fall, the cactus had been placed in a pretty white vase-of-sorts and then  pretty much forgotten. My "green thumb" husband occasionally watered the plant but other than that, it had survived by pure luck. What a hardy plant this native of Brazil tends to be!

In doing a little research about Christmas cactus, I learned that in its native habitat it grows in tree crevices, where branches come together!

So here it is, a Christmas cactus  blooming in  frigid January, just a couple of weeks after the big holiday after which it is named.

I love January surprises, don't you?

WHAT WAS THE LAST SURPRISE YOU HAD? CAN YOU REMEMBER?