Posts Tagged: Christmas Cactus
Cactus from the Rainforest: Christmas Cactus
Imagine a mountainous and remote rainforest along the ocean coast. Whisps of fog drift through the...
Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus? Are they the same species?
With only a few short weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and two very similarly looking plants, you may be wondering whether the gift a loved one gave you for Christmas is a Thanksgiving cactus or a Christmas cactus. (Many sold in local nurseries and large box stores this past Christmas season were actually Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), pictured below). While both are native to tropical regions of Brazil, host a wide array of flowers ranging from the more traditional pink hues to newer hybrids showing off white, red, yellow, and purple, they have different bloom periods. The Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), blooms about a month after the Thanksgiving cactus.
The Christmas cactus also has slightly different projections on its leaves, which are more scalloped and less pointed that the projections on the Thanksgiving cactus. Is yours still not in flower and not in the holiday spirit? Both species require cool temperatures and longer nights for about a month in advance of their flowering period. Both plants bloom optimally when grown outdoors when cool night temperatures dip`into the 50s and shorter nights reduce daytime light to 10 -12 hours in a 24 hour cycle. They can also be grown indoors in pots if kept in a cool dark area with no light between 5 pm and 8 am. During daytime, they prefer bright, indirect light. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red. Both species require good drainage but, even though they are in the cactus family don't let this fool you! They need adequate moisture - particularly during boom- and cannot make it through long, dry periods without supplemental water. Unlike most houseplants, they prefer to feel snug in their pots, almost to the point of enjoying being slightly pot-bound.
Happiest of holidays however you choose to safely celebrate them this year!
Janet
Houseplants for the Winter Months
By Emilee Fowkes Warne, UC Master Gardener of Butte County, February 16, 2018. For the avid...
Those Winter Seasonal Plants--Pointsettia, Christmas Cactus, Mistletoe.
Chances are that by now you have one or more cuetlaxochitl somewhere in your home. You may not...
Christmas Cactus
Looking for that perfect hostess gift, why not try a live plant? Specifically, the Christmas Cactus: Schlumbergera bridgessii. Not a true cactus, more similar in environmental needs to that of an orchid. This plant is native to Brazil and grows as an epiphyte (plant that grows above ground, deriving its nutrients and water from rain, the air, and natural debris), in the forks of tree limbs. Right now you can find this plant budding, or in full bloom, at your local hardware store. The leaves are dark green, flat and grow in segments. The plant flowers at the tips of these segments with red, pink, and white flowers. Here are some easy care guidelines should you receive one as a gift!
As the holidays wind down and you don’t see any more blooms, your Christmas Cactus needs to rest. (Just like Santa) A month of rest in a cool dark room and very little water is exactly what this plant needs to get ready for new growth in spring. Do not fertilize during this month of rest.
Anytime between February – March, you can prune, propagate, or repot your cactus. A point to remember is that this is one plant that actually prefers to be root-bound and will actually promote more blooms when it feels “cramped”. A good rule of thumb is to repot about every 2 years. Pruning at this time is highly recommended because spring begins a period of active growth. Pruning will help the plant branch out, creating a fuller plant for the next holiday season. To propagate, take a segment of the leaf and place upright in a small pot filled with soil similar to parent plant. New plants will begin to grow in 4-6 weeks.
Easy growing tips:
- Don’t overwater; will cause rot on leaves. If kept indoors, watering weekly is advised, or when top inch of soil is dry. Water less frequently in fall and winter to promote blooming.
- Prefers humidity: place pot on saucer filled with gravel. Create humid environment by adding water to saucer.
- Fertilize: October/November, September, and February- liquid all purpose houseplant type fertilizer. Do not use a fertilizer with nitrogen ratio higher than 10 % (1st number on fertilizer label is nitrogen).
I consider the Christmas cactus a gift that “keeps on giving’ because with proper care it will grow and bloom for many holidays.
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