This Nova Scotia man's Christmas cactus has been in his family for a century
A cactus is known to live a long life, and one Nova Scotia man says his has been in the family for a full century.
For 78-year-old Art Isner, his Christmas cactus is full of life and memories.
“I can remember it being in my grandmother’s parlour,” Isner tells CTV Atlantic. “I might’ve been somewhere between five and eight.”
After Isner’s grandmother’s passing, the Christmas cactus made its way to his family dining room in Chebucto Road home in Halifax.
“When mom was no longer able to look after the house, it came down here,” said Isner. “And it was not a spring chicken when I first saw it.”
Isner says his grandmother probably kept the cactus trimmed, but it wasn’t in the best shape.
“We decided we’d put it out in the garden, and we thought a little extra sun and all that would be good for the plant,” said Isner, adding, “We forgot about the deer.”
By the time Isner realized his cactus had become a popular snack for the local wildlife, the plant was “pruned quite severely.” Suffice to say, that was the last time Isner put the plant outside.
Since then, the love and care Isner has given the cactus has allowed it to grow another three to four feet.
A Christmas cactus like Isner’s is a popular cactus of the Cactaceae family that blooms indoors around the holiday season in the Northern Hemisphere, and most are now considered hyrids.
In 2016, the Daily Herald newspaper in Chicago reported a woman in Lisle, Illinois also had a 100-year-old Christmas cactus.
What’s in store for the future of Isner’s Christmas cactus? He’s not sure.
“I’m not real sentimental about such things as plants and so forth. The only people you could give it to would be my grandchildren,” said Isner. “Grandchildren are not interested in this stuff, so I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.