by Marko, age 8, asks why cactus leaves turn purple, about Belgrade’s rivers, and Serbian Christmas timing
Dear Santa,
Zdravo from Belgrade. My name is Marko and I am 8 years old. My baba grows a Christmas cactus on her windowsill, and this year some of its flat green segments started turning a deep reddish purple, which worried her enough that she moved it to three different spots trying to fix it.
My first question is: why do Christmas cactus leaves sometimes turn purple?
My second question is geography: what two rivers meet in Belgrade?
My third question is from school: why does Serbia celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January?
I left you vasina rolnica, a walnut roll, and a small cup of tea.
Love, Marko, age 8, Belgrade, Serbia
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Marko, that walnut roll was rich and delicious, and I hope your baba stops moving that poor plant around quite so much. Now, to ease her worry, and your other questions.
Why do Christmas cactus leaves sometimes turn purple?
A purplish or reddish tint on the flat segments usually means the plant is experiencing some kind of mild stress, most often from getting too much direct sunlight, sitting somewhere a bit too cold, or simply not having quite enough nutrients in its soil. It is usually not a serious problem, and often the plant is simply reacting to its environment rather than getting sick. Moving it to a spot with bright but indirect light, away from cold drafts, and giving it a mild plant food occasionally, usually helps the colour settle back to green over time.
What two rivers meet in Belgrade?
The Sava River flows into the much larger Danube right at Belgrade, and the point where the two rivers join is one of the most striking natural sights in the whole city, visible from the old fortress that overlooks it.
Why does Serbia celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January?
The Serbian Orthodox Church, like several other Orthodox churches, still follows the older Julian calendar for religious holidays, which currently runs about thirteen days behind the modern Gregorian calendar most of the world uses. That is why the 25th of December on the old calendar lands on the 7th of January by the calendar most people use today, giving Serbia its own distinct Christmas date.
Tell your baba the plant will be just fine, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
