I have a 26 year old Christmas Cactus that is in need of serious help..?

it has no flowers and the leaves are dark green and very limp. Any Ideas how I can bring this cactus back to life? Also Im interested in purchasing one for myself for my 18th birthday, would be interested to know how to look after the plant and what conditions it likes and also where I could purchase one?? I live in the East of England? Are they popular plants at garden centres?? Also im not sure whether its a christmas one or an easter one..whats the difference??

I have a 26 year old Christmas Cactus that is in need of serious help..?
Schlumbergera is a genus of 6 known tree-dwelling cacti from Brazil. These are the tropical rainforest epiphytes, growing on tree branches where, despite the high rainfall, water drains off quickly so that "dry" conditions prevail much of the time. Not surprisingly these cacti are quite different in appearance to their desert dwelling cousins. They are named after F. Schlumberger who was the owner of a famous plant collection.





This genus contains the popular Schlumbergera truncata, also known as Christmas Cactus which may flower in white, pink, red or purple. The Easter Cactus or Whitsun cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) which produces vivid scarlet flowers belongs to Hatiora genus.





The stems of Schlumbergera resemble leaf like pads joined one to the other and the flowers appear from areoles at the tips.





Schlumbergera is a genus of 6 known tree-dwelling cacti from Brazil. These are the tropical rainforest epiphytes, growing on tree branches where, despite the high rainfall, water drains off quickly so that "dry" conditions prevail much of the time. Not surprisingly these cacti are quite different in appearance to their desert dwelling cousins. They are named after F. Schlumberger who was the owner of a famous plant collection.





This genus contains the popular Schlumbergera truncata, also known as Christmas Cactus which may flower in white, pink, red or purple. The Easter Cactus or Whitsun cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) which produces vivid scarlet flowers belongs to Hatiora genus.





The stems of Schlumbergera resemble leaf like pads joined one to the other and the flowers appear from areoles at the tips.





Care





Watering


The soil should be evenly moist for best growth, but they are intolerant to constantly wet soil and poor aeration. If outdoors, an established plant may only need to be watered every two or three days in warm, sunny weather; or every week in cool, cloudy weather.








Lighting


Christmas cactus will do best in bright indirect light. Long term direct sunlight can burn the leaves and stunt growth. If taken care of properly, a single planting can last for hundreds of years.








Flowering


Christmas cactus will create flower buds when subjected to cooler temperatures (50-58 degrees Fahrenheit/10-14 degrees Celsius) for 6-8 weeks.





Propagation


Holiday cacti can be propagated quite easily by removing a single segment and planting it a quarter of its length deep in a pot filled with slightly sandy soil. Place the pot in a well lit area (but not direct sunlight) and keep the soil moist. The cutting should begin showing signs of growth after two or three weeks.








Check out these websites for more detailed care of Holiday Cactus..:


http://www.uticaod.com/archive/2003/12/2...


http://hortchat.com/info/christmas-cactu...


http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1...