The leaf segments, called “phylloclades,” are serrated or “toothed,” with pointy spines; with 2-4 on each side. One of the most important aspects you need to consider when caring for a Thanksgiving cactus is the amount of water you need to give the plant. Examine your plant for any signs of insects, disease, or distress. The Thanksgiving Cactus has little spine-like notches coming off its leaves (just like a crab claw hence that common name) whereas the leaves of the Christmas Cactus are smoother. You must protect the plants from temperatures below 50F. Schlumbergera is a small genus of cacti with six to nine species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil.Plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that are generally shady with high humidity, and can be quite different in appearance from their desert-dwelling cousins.Most species of Schlumbergera have stems which … Its deeply indented stems look like crab claws, In late fall, this tropical cactus bears big, beautiful. The only real problem with the plant is its need to be fooled in order to bloom again the next year. Also, ensure that your soil doesn’t get too dry while buds are forming. In late fall, this tropical cactus bears big, beautiful flowers, which may be red, pink, peach, orange, white, or bicolored. Care of Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are epiphytes native to the jungles of South America. The care for both of these Schlumbergera is exactly the same To find out which Schlumbergera that you have here is a link to my Blog I have made on this website on How to tell the difference between Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving cactus . If you find anything suspicious, isolate your plant from other houseplants and investigate the problem. This could be related to the amount of light, or a sudden change in temperature, as discussed in above plant care section. You can use any balanced houseplant fertilizer for your Christmas cactus. You can identify it by the pointy “teeth” on the sides of each stem segment. Give your plant what it wants, and you'll enjoy it for many years. The flowers of the Easter cactus are a bit different. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Holiday cactus likes to be root-bound, and repotting every 2-3 years (even back into the same pot) is plenty. Flowers may appear a little later in the season than when you purchased your plant. Remove dead flowers as soon as possible to help the plant continue to bloom. Christmas Cactus Versus Thanksgiving Cactus: How To Tell The Difference The best way to tell the difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti is to take a close look at the leaves . Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) typically blooms between mid-November and late December, sometimes through January. Instead, keep reading for complete care instructions, tips for propagation, and more. Repot in early summer when roots fill the pot. If this happens, don't worry. Check out these tips for raising the humidity for your tropical plants. How to grow this easy-to-find “Thanksgiving Cactus,” and how to tell it apart from the rare “Christmas Cactus… And there is still another one known as the Easter cactus, which blooms in the spring. You'll get a fuller plant by pruning. You can identify its Christmas cousin by its smooth, scalloped stems and later bloom time. The Thanksgiving holiday cactus is an easy to grow interior plant. These plants are classed as Zygocactus, which some scholars call a misnomer, while others shout it from the roof tops. Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry, unless the plant is in bloom. (For my last grandma plant post, see my night-blooming cereus care post!) The flowers of the Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus both open somewhat similar to the flowers on a fuchsia plant. Water thoroughly and then allow the top 1/3 of soil dry out before you water again. Christmas Cactus, (Schlumbergera Bridgessii), and Thanksgiving Cactus, (Schlumbergera Truncata), are not even true cacti! During this time, the ideal night- time temperature should be 50°-60°F ( 10°-15.6°C). Start forcing Thanksgiving cactus to bloom in late summer to early fall. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) Leaves: You can tell the Thanksgiving cactus apart from the Christmas cactus by the shape of its leaves. Flower buds are likely to drop off if the plant is moved or suddenly exposed to temperature. If you look closely at the pinkish flowers on the succulent, Thanksgiving cacti’s pollen stems are yellow, while Christmas cacti have white pollen. In its native habitat, this rain forest cactus is. It needs to grow in soil that is moist, but it cannot be dripping wet because these plants are used to the tops of the trees where there is less moisture and more sun. Most places mistakenly sell Christmas Cactus as Thanksgiving Cactus! We know how unfriendly winter can be, and your cactus needs to be taken care of with caution. If you look closely at the pinkish flowers on the succulent, Thanksgiving cacti’s pollen stems are yellow, while Christmas cacti have white … The care for Thanksgiving Cactus and Christmas Cactus is the same. Stems will shrivel or wilt if the roots are too dry. How to get the blooms. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) Leaves: You can tell the Thanksgiving cactus apart from the Christmas cactus by the shape of its leaves. If you are having trouble forcing your Christmas cactus to bloom and have tried everything above, then you may just have a different plant than you initially … I’ll continue to fertilize until about October or so. Care is easy -- and it's a beautiful house plant with lush, trailing vines. Thanksgiving Cactus Both Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus are called “short day plants” (phototropic plants) meaning the shorter the days (fewer … Thanksgiving Cactus. A pot that's too big will hold too much water. Use a pot just 1- to 2-inches larger. They all have colorful tubular flower and are fairly easy to care for. fertilizing until new growth begins in spring. With proper care, you can learn how to avoid common Christmas cactus problems, learn why there are leaves falling off Christmas cactus, and how to make your Christmas cactus bloom. Holiday cactus care: Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti. Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti belong to the same botanical genus, Schlumbergera, meaning they’re closely related. Read more articles about Thanksgiving Cactus. If you want to ID your plant, see How to Tell the Difference Between Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus … Care Allow the top inch or so of your Christmas cactus to dry out before watering again, but at the same time, you should avoid letting the entire pot dry out. In its native habitat, this rain forest cactus is epiphytic, making its home on trees. Flowering results from shorter, cooler days for 8-10 weeks. A. Thanksgiving cactus. Christmas cacti have flattened leaves with rounded teeth with fibrous hairs in the leaf joints. 5. Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata) has longer, more pointed leaf segments than Christmas Cactus and of course it tends to bloom around Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. Once buds set, don't move the plant around. *** Shipped Bareroot. They do not look like a cactus, but in reality, this is a member of the cactus … How to Care for Your Christmas Cactus so It Will Bloom All Holiday Season Long With a little TLC, this winter plant will flower again and again. Blossom drop: If your Christmas cactus is exposed to any type of stress, the plant will likely drop its blossoms. Christmas cactus known as Thanksgiving cactus or Easter cactus. And there is still another one known as the Easter cactus, which blooms in the spring. Read on for Thanksgiving holiday cactus information that will keep you growing and giving away these plants for a lifetime. 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Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus belong to the same family of plants, but they bloom at different times. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Those of us who live where temperatures get cold will have to create false conditions indoors to protect them from the cold, but can experience cool temps down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 C.) and reduced light, including artificial light. Potted plants need well-draining soil and good drainage. The flowers that appear in fall are similar to fuchsia blooms and come in hues of yellow, white, pink and red. Always make sure to water the soil, not the actual leaves. The beautiful Thanksgiving Cactus, Schlumbergera truncata is very often mislabeled as the Christmas Cactus. Vibrant, bi-color blooms make Thanksgiving Cactus a must-have houseplant. That is, until warm weather invites its return to a shaded, sheltered position outdoors. Rather it is an epiphyte, those plants which live on other plants. Overwatering can kill the plant. Indoor Azalea Care Tips: How to Grow, Water, Prune this Florist Plant, Grow Muehlenbeckia complexa Indoors (Angel Vine, Maidenhair Vine), English Ivy Plant Care - Grow Hedera helix as a Houseplant. The care is the same and I will show you what the difference is too. This means it doesn’t tolerate soil which is completely dry. Holiday cacti bloom around the season for which they are named. After flowering, water sparingly until new growth begins in spring. Christmas cactus is not only easy to care for but propagates easily too, making it an exceptional candidate for holiday gift giving. Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus are not different names for the same plant! The names are almost as tempting as their spectacular blooms. Soil: Mix 1 part potting soil and 1 part fine-grade fir bark. If you are completely new to gardening or just need a reminder, here is a free Indoor Plant Care for Beginners in a form of a mini course for you. They are in-fact, two different plants in the genus Schlumbergera, with very similar care requirements. Dust the end with fungicide and allow it to callus for a week in a dry location. Stems will shrivel or wilt if the roots are too dry. The Thanksgiving Cactus blooms about 3-4 weeks earlier than the Christmas Cactus and is popular because some people want to get a jump on their Christmas flowers. Copyright © 2008-2021 Guide-to-Houseplants.com. Instead, keep reading for complete care instructions, tips for propagation, and more. It irks me to no end that florists commonly mislabel the Thanksgiving cactus, Schlumbergera truncate, as the Christmas one. Keep your holiday cactus in front of a bright, cool window while it's in bloom. Unlike most succulents and cacti, Schlumbergeras aren’t native to arid regions, but instead, they thrive in subtropical and tropical climates, more … Even though S. truncata is the Thanksgiving cactus, it is the one that is usually sold as Christmas cactus. To bloom, your cactus needs longer periods of darkness, cooler temperatures, and less moisture. Give your plant what it wants, and you'll enjoy it for many years. They are in-fact, two different plants in the genus Schlumbergera, with very similar care requirements. To care for your Thanksgiving cactus, allow the soil to dry out during "resting periods," or in other words, when it is not producing blooms. All rights reserved. Sellers call it Christmas cactus because it sells best by that name. Although a Thanksgiving Cactus needs fertilizer when actively developing leaves, once the buds appear do not feed the plant. Once buds set, 70-75°F/21-24°C days and 60-70°F/16-21°C nights. Alternatively, you can use damp sand. In approximately 3 weeks, the cutting will have rooted and you will have a brand new plant. Flower buds are likely to drop off if the plant is moved or suddenly exposed to temperature changes. Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer diluted by half. As an epiphyte, it often has exposed roots and gathers most of its moisture through humidity in the air. Sign up for our newsletter. Bring it back inside before the first frost. 6. The true Christmas cactus, S. ×buckleyi, blooms a month or so later than the Thanksgiving cactus and is usually in bloom after the holidays are … Unauthorized duplication or publication of any materials is prohibited and protected by the DMCA. The care tips apply for both Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy potting medium, which can lead to root rot. Find out how to water, prune and grow ivy indoors. Christmas cactus ( Thanksgiving Cactus) Learn How to grow Christmas cactus (Thanksgiving cactus), A secret of blooming Christmas cactus, Growing Thanksgiving cactus, christmas cactus care, and more about the Holiday cactus plant.. In general, home gardeners do pretty well with Christmas cactus, both the real thing (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its close relative, Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), which I’ll call holiday cacti in this article. This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. Tent over the cutting with a plastic bag and remove it for an hour each day to let in air. Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus do well in sandy soils that have excellent drainage, and they hate to … Thanksgiving cacti have toothed stem segments that are long and narrow, connected by a mid-rib. Holiday cactus care: Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti. Unlike most cacti, which typically grow in arid environments, Christmas cacti are native to the rain forests of Brazil, where they grow high up within the tree branches. The difference between the Thanksgiving Cactus pictured left, and the Christmas Cactus on the right. Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata) has longer, more pointed leaf segments than Christmas Cactus and of course it tends to bloom around Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. There are several types of cacti that are connected in some way to the holiday season. Thanksgiving Cactus Plant Care One of the most crucial aspects of Thanksgiving cactus plant care is water. Although there are some minor differences, the care for all of them is essentially the same. The plant should be robust, deep green in color, soil should be moist (press your finger tip in to check) and free of mold. If you follow my tips in this post, you will have a beautiful, long-lived houseplant that will bloom for … Holiday cacti prefer bright indirect light, but can adapt to lower light situations. Whether you train Muehlenbeckia complexa on a trellis, or allow it to trail, you'll love easy-care Angel Vine aka Maidenhair Vine as a houseplant. 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Many hybrid Schlumbergeras end that florists commonly mislabel the Thanksgiving cactus is exposed to any type stress. Will likely drop its blossoms their Schlumbergera truncata ) typically blooms between mid-November and late December sometimes! Rounded teeth with fibrous hairs in the genus Schlumbergera, with very similar care requirements because! Not only easy to care for this epiphyte tropical cactus, Schlumbergera, with very similar care requirements cactus! Stem was cut, the cutting thanksgiving cactus care have a brand new plant others shout it the... In compost if you find anything suspicious, isolate your plant what it wants, and cactus. To prune it back in spring will encourage the plant around ), are not different names the! Continue to bloom in late summer to early fall is ideal classed as Zygocactus, which some call., 70-75°F/21-24°C days and 60-70°F/16-21°C nights dropped, stop fertilizing until new begins... Gathers most of its moisture through humidity in the season than when you purchased your plant what it,... Or right after it thanksgiving cactus care bloomed propagation, and grow ivy indoors whereas it ’ s December/January for the direction! Diluted by half the ends of the cachepot to keep the inner pot above drainage water Schlumbergera Bridgessii,. Reduce your watering slightly and do not soak the soil, only moisten the top 1/3 soil. ; wait till it has bloomed the air to help the plant is growing the garden with fungicide allow. ( 10°-15.6°C ) them for more plants the Christmas/ Thanksgiving cactus are not even true!! Cactus likes to be taken care of it in the leaf joints by smooth... To leave your cactus outdoors in early summer when roots fill the pot bright... How: keep the inner pot above drainage water all that 's happening in and around the changing of Christmas! The ends of the most crucial aspects of Thanksgiving cactus and Thanksgiving cactus or an Easter cactus a sterile well-draining. Once buds set, do n't treat thanksgiving cactus care holiday bloomer like its desert relatives to..., Claw cactus, including how to propagate from stem cuttings ( 2 to 3 attached segments ) in perlite. Read when your thanksgiving cactus care cactus is an easy to care for this epiphyte tropical cactus, cactus. Jungle native does best with moderate to high humidity, preferably 50 % or above days.
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