Keep Christmas cactus in a sunny spot where night temperatures can be kept below 65 degrees F. or if you allow the plant to become excessively dry. They should also be kept in total darkness from 5:00 pm until 8:00 am for about 30 days in October to initiate flower buds.

If twig girdlers have worked over your trees so that many twigs and branches are dropping, make sure these are collected and destroyed, as the eggs are deposited in that portion of the branch that drops to the ground.

If you have saved seeds of your favorite plants, allow them to become air dry, and then place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Be sure to label each packet carefully. Remember that seed from hybrid plants will seldom resemble the parent plant.