Q. A Christmas cactus plant I was given is still flowering. What care will it need to ensure bloom again next winter?
A. Bright light, cool room temperatures and a modestly moist soil will keep the plant flowering for as long as possible.
After the plant finishes blooming, provide a period of rest by watering only enough to keep it from shrivelling.
Gradually resume regular watering early in the spring. The plant will benefit from a summer outdoors in filtered light. Water regularly through the summer, adding a house plant fertilizer to the water, at half the recommended strength, every two weeks. Spray-mist often with plain water. Bring the plant back indoors as night temperatures begin dropping down to 5 C.
If the plant must remain indoors, move it out of hot, direct mid-day and afternoon sunlight to a window facing north or east.
In the latter part of August, stop fertilizing and begin reducing water again to initiate a hardening of the new growth and facilitate its ability to set flower buds.
During this pre-bloom rest period, dry conditions, cool temperatures, and naturally short days will initiate bud set. If possible, place the plant where no artificial light is turned on between dusk and sunrise. Once flower buds have formed, begin watering normally again and resume the conditions recommended for the flowering period.
Q . What might have caused our Asian pears to be mushy and gritty last year?
A. Asian pears have a naturally crisp, grainy texture. Problems with excess grittiness and other degradations in flesh texture can most often be traced to missing the ideal harvesting time.
It’s always a good idea to begin watching for signs of ripening early, to be sure of catching the ideal harvesting window. The fruit should detach easily when lifted gently and twisted slightly, and the skin colour will lighten. A taste test is the final confirmation of the perfect picking time. The flesh should be crisp and crunchy.
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