Why Is My Christmas Cactus Blooming In October?

“What went wrong with my grandmother’s Christmas cactus that is about to bloom? Mary Ann

Hello, Martha. In addition, I have a “I have a “Christmas” cactus flowering right now, and I’m dubbing it my Winter cactus because of the blossoms. In Missouri, these hardy tropical plants require a little assistance to bloom on time. They have meteorological triggers in their native Brazil that cause them to blossom in December, the start of the South American summer.

If it originated from your grandma, your cactus could be an older, authentic Christmas cactus. The majority of cacti on the market now are Thanksgiving cacti, which explains why they bloom around late November.

Look at the green fronds to see what kind of cactus you have. Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) have pointed, jagged edges, whereas the original Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) has smooth, round edges.

Because I had it outside on my back porch last fall, it began to bloom. Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus are known as “short day plants,” as they require fewer daylight hours and/or cool night temperatures to generate bloom buds. The shorter days and chilly nights of autumn prompt the plants to start producing buds.

Place your Christmas cactus indoors in a cool, bright setting with daily temps of 65-70° F and evening temperatures of 55-65° F to ensure that it blooms when you want it to. Plants will blossom in around 5-6 weeks if they are exposed to colder night temperatures of 55° F, independent of the day length.

Do Christmas cactuses bloom in October?

Cactus for Christmas? It’s a Thanksgiving cactus, not a Christmas cactus. Wikimedia Commons photo by Peter Coxhead

My “Christmas cactus,” of which I have five, is blooming profusely as I write this in early November. However, Christmas is almost two months away. That can’t possibly be correct! It is, though, since these plantsand most likely the ones you have at homeare not true Christmas cactus. Allow me to explain.

There is a true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera buckleyi and its parent S. russelliana), and it blooms in the middle or end of December. However, greenhouse growers prefer the early blooming Thanksgiving cactus or crab cactus (S. truncata), which blooms in November, just before American Thanksgiving. When you buy a Christmas cactus, you end up with a Thanksgiving cactus.

The authentic Christmas cactus has a conspicuously pendent stem, magenta-colored hanging flowers, and flattened stem segments with smooth, crenelated margins but never serrated edges. And, of course, if your plant blooms naturally around the holidays, you can be sure it’s a true Christmas cactus.

This is typically a pass-along plant, passed down through generations of gardeners. Because its lengthy stems shatter easily and are difficult to transport, it is rarely marketed in nurseries.

The stems of the Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata) grow straight at first, then arch, making it more of a spreading plant than a distinctly hanging one. In addition, rather than hanging limply from the stem tip, its blossoms are borne horizontally. Most notably, it has unique teeth on its segments that resemble crab claws, which is why it’s also known as crab cactus. It also comes in a variety of hues, including red, fuchsia, magenta, lavender, pink, white, yellow, and even orange, unlike the actual Christmas cactus.

During the holiday season, it can be obtained in a variety of retailers, including supermarkets. However, under typical conditions, it will bloom far before Christmas, in late October or early November.

To further perplex people, Thanksgiving cacti are typically sold in full bloom during the Christmas season, and you may have purchased yours at that time. However, it now blooms in November. Why?

Greenhouse growers have discovered that they may delay the bloom of the Thanksgiving cactus by growing it chilly (which saves them money on heating). If you can replicate this at home, you can get your Thanksgiving cactus to bloom in time for Christmas. Here’s how to do it:

First, starting in late September, both the Thanksgiving cactus and the actual Christmas cactus require short days (less than 12 hours of sunlight each day) in order to blossom. So, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., I recommend placing your plants in a location that receives no artificial light. I put mine in the guest room because we never turn on the lights there at night, but you can put yours behind other plants or a piece of furniture as long as no artificial light gets them.

Then, until just before Christmas, keep your Thanksgiving cactus cool, below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) day and night. The growth of its flower buds will be slowed as a result of this. Then, in mid-December, bring the plant into a regularly heated area, and voila! Flowers for the holidays!

I’ve learnt to appreciate flowers whenever they occur. As a result, I don’t have to strain to get my Thanksgiving cactus to bloom in time for Christmas. It’s great with me if they want to bloom their heads off in November. Besides, I have a real Christmas cactus that will last the entire holiday season: on Christmas Eve, it is always covered in bloom. I’m also not bothered if both my Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus bloom in late February or early March, as most of them do. Hey, every now and then, in the middle of summer, when the days are long, one will blossom again (I have no idea why!) That’s fine by me as well.

Why are Christmas cactus blooming now?

Cooler temperatures and long nights are required for blooming. These cacti are short-day plants, which means that long, dark, cool nights promote blooming. It’s natural for a few buds to fall off, but drafts will force the plant to lose all of its buds at once, and you’ll be out of luck for another year.

What months do Christmas cactus bloom?

Water every two to three weeks, but only until the top one-third of the soil feels dry to the touch. Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, for example, if the plant is in 6 inches of soil. (Check with your finger!)
Soak the soil until water runs through the drainage holes in the pot when it is suitably dry. To catch the water, place a tray underneath the pot. Remove any extra water from the tray after 10-15 minutes so that the pot does not sit in water.
Feed every two weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer from spring through early fall. Feed the cactus once a month in the fall and winter to encourage blooming.
Late in the spring, prune plants to encourage branching and more flowers. Simply cut a few portions off each stem, and the plant will branch out from the wound.
Place the cut pieces in a gently wet potting soil if desired; they will root easily after a few weeks and make great Christmas gifts!

How to Get Your Christmas Cactus to Bloom

The lower temperatures and longer evenings of autumn bring out the blooms of Christmas cacti and its relatives. This is the general blooming schedule for the three main species of Christmas cacti:

Thanksgiving cactus are the earliest and most persistent bloomers, blooming from late October to mid-winter.

It’s possible that your cactus isn’t flowering because it’s getting too much sunshine or being exposed to too hot temperatures. Here are some pointers to help you get yours to bloom!

For at least six weeks, nights must be at least 14 hours long and days must be between 8 and 10 hours. If you have powerful interior lighting that is turned on at night, you may need to cover your cactus or transfer it to a location where it can be exposed to natural light.
Flower buds form best when the plant is kept between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 and 15 degrees Celsius).
By exposing the plant to temperatures of around 45°F (7°C) for several nights in a row, you can jumpstart the budding process.
Ensure that you water the plant on a regular basis when it is in bloom. If the plant dries out too much, the buds may fall off.
Don’t worry if the cactus loses its buds throughout the winter; it will bloom the next year!

Can a Christmas cactus bloom in November?

Is your Christmas cactus blooming well before the holidays? That’s to be expected, given that it’s not a Christmas cactus. Allow me to explain.

There is a true Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana and a nearly identical hybrid S. x buckleyi), and it blooms in the middle or end of December. However, greenhouse growers prefer the early blooming Thanksgiving cactus or crab cactus (S. truncata), which blooms in November, just before American Thanksgiving.

The authentic Christmas cactus has a conspicuously pendent stem, magenta-colored hanging blooms, and flattened stem segments with smooth, crenellated margins that are never serrated. Because its lengthy stems shatter easily and are difficult to export, it is rarely marketed in nurseries. And, of course, if your plant blooms spontaneously around the holidays, you can be sure it’s a true Christmas cactus.

Thanksgiving cactus blooms are carried horizontally rather than dangling limply from the stem tip, and its stems grow erect at first, then arch. Most notably, it has unique teeth on its segments that resemble crab claws, which is why it’s also known as crab cactus. It also comes in a variety of hues, including red, fuchsia, magenta, lavender, pink, white, yellow, and even orange, unlike the actual Christmas cactus. During the holiday season, it can be obtained in a variety of retailers, including supermarkets. It will blossom in late October or early November under typical conditions.

To further perplex people, Thanksgiving cactus are frequently sold in full bloom throughout the Christmas season, and you may have acquired yours at that time. However, it now blooms in November. Why?

Greenhouse growers have discovered that they may delay the bloom of the Thanksgiving cactus by growing it chilly (which saves them money on heating). If you can do the same, your Thanksgiving cactus will bloom in time for Christmas. Here’s how to do it:

I’ve learnt to appreciate flowers whenever they occur. As a result, I don’t have to strain to get my Thanksgiving cactus to bloom in time for Christmas. It’s great with me if they want to bloom their heads off in November. I’m also not bothered when both my Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus bloom again in late February or early March. Hey, sometimes in the middle of summer, when the days are long, one will bloom again (I have no idea how that happens!) That’s fine by me as well.

Do Christmas cactuses bloom every year?

Is It Possible For A Christmas Cactus To Bloom More Than Once A Year? Yes. Christmas cactus, unlike many other succulents, can bloom again in the spring if given the right conditions.

Do Christmas cactuses bloom all year?

Because it blooms between mid-November and late January, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is commonly linked with the holidays. It can adapt to low light circumstances, but intense light encourages it to blossom more.

How many times a year will a Christmas cactus bloom?

Is it true that Christmas Cactus blooms more than once a year? In February, my Christmas Cactus bloomed again, and I explain how it happened here.

When November and December arrive, Christmas Cactus are in high demand.

Even when they’re not in flower, I like them and think they’d make good houseplants. But wait, did you know they can make the same flower twice? My Christmas Cactus started blooming again in February, proving that they do flower more than once a year.

Let’s get a little more technical for those of you who, like myself, are plant nerds. The Thanksgiving (or Crab) Cactus that you see here and in the video is actually a Christmas Cactus. When I bought it, it was labeled as a CC, and that’s how it’s usually sold in the trade. Nowadays, they’re commonly referred as as Holiday Cactus. They can re-bloom more than once a year, regardless of which one you have.

My Christmas (Thanksgiving, Holiday) Cactus in bloom again:

I’ve received a few concerns from readers about their Christmas Cacti flowering more than once a year, and whether this was “normal” or not. Some people’s flowers bloom again, whereas others do not. What triggers their re-blooming? I’ll tell you about the situation I’ve been in and what I’ve done.

Why does my Christmas cactus only have one bloom?

Drought stress or too much light, as it is a short-day plant, are the causes of Christmas cactus not blooming. The Christmas cactus has evolved to thrive in humid, rainy environments. If it’s too dry or there are too many hours of sunshine during bloom creation, it won’t flower.

There are a number of other reasons that can hinder the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) from blossoming, which I’ve included below:

Continue reading to learn why your Christmas cactus isn’t blossoming, as well as the best methods and strategies for getting it to bloom…

How long do Christmas cactus flowers last?

Are you looking for flowers for Christmas or Thanksgiving? To determine the autumn date to begin preparing the plant for reblooming, count back eight weeks. Increase the amount of times you water, but not the volume of water, once buds form. Too much water, as well as moving the plant around, might cause buds to fall out. The flowering time of the Christmas cactus is four to six weeks, with each blossom lasting six to nine days. After the plant has flowered, pinch off enough parts of each stem to achieve a uniform habit. When new growth sprouts, resume normal watering and fertilizer.

Christmas cacti require direct exposure, but take the following steps to avoid the scorching summer sun: If you want to keep your plant indoors during the summer, move it away from the window a few feet to avoid burning the stems. When the plant is brought outside, it still need protection when the sun reaches its highest point.

How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is overwatered?

The health of any cactus that has been let to sit in a saucer full of water is likely to suffer. A Christmas cactus plant that has been overwatered will display evident indications of discomfort. If the saucer hasn’t dried in one day, dump the extra water to avoid moisture gnats and root damage.

If you don’t remember to water your Christmas cactus, one of the first signs of overwatering is limp leaves that begin to fall off. The stems and branches will soften and become mushy as a result. In severe situations, the stem will rot entirely off and emit a horrible stench.

It’s easy to avoid. To avoid over-watering your Christmas cactus, use a soil meter.