The short answer is yes if you’re wondering whether this lovely succulent is actually a cactus.
However, unlike other species of cacti, this houseplant is native to a tropical setting rather than an arid desert, so its maintenance is a little different. We’ll discuss that in more detail later.
Christmas cacti are members of the cactus family and epiphytes, which means they naturally grow in shallow organic waste found on rocks or in the cracks of tree trunks rather than in soil.
The Schlumbergera genus of plants are all indigenous to southeast Brazil’s coastal mountains, where they thrive in tropical rain forests and are pollinated by hummingbirds.
Christmas cacti lack leaves, just like other varieties of cacti, and instead have flattened, jointed stalks known as cladodes.
The final section of these stems ends in flowers. These cactus don’t have sharp spines like some of its prickly cousins, which makes handling them less of a challenge.
The true Christmas cactus (S. x buckleyi), formerly and incorrectly called as S. bridgesii, is a hybrid of two Schlumbergera species, S. truncata and S. russelliana. William Buckley designed this specific cross in the 1840s at the Rollison Nurseries in England.
The majority of houseplants marketed as “Christmas cactus” in grocery stores and garden centers today are actually varieties of S. truncata, often known as crab cactus, false Christmas cactus, or Thanksgiving cactus.
It normally blooms approximately four weeks earlier than Christmas cactus, as its name implies.
A few cultivars of the original S. x buckleyi have survived, but the majority of plants you’ll encounter today are crossbreeds between the Thanksgiving cactus, S. truncata, and the genuine Christmas cactus, S. x buckleyi.
There are a few additional methods to distinguish Christmas cacti from Thanksgiving cacti aside from their differences in bloom time:
Cacti are epiphytes?
In the Neotropical region alone, there are well over 15,000 epiphytes, and there are more than 30,000 of them worldwide.
unlisted species. A plant known as an epiphyte develops on a host like a parasite, but differs from a parasite in several ways.
a parasite that depends on nutrition from the air, rain, and sunlight rather than nourishment from the tree itself.
piles of compost atop tree limbs. These plants benefit from the epiphytic lifestyle in the rainforest;
pollinators and the potential for wind-borne seed dispersal. People in temperate climates may be familiar with epiphytes
Because many “air plants” and home plants are actually epiphytes from tropical rainforests, temperatures.
Although epiphytes are present throughout rainforests, they are more prevalent in the so-called cloud forests.
which exist between 3300 and 6600 feet in the fog (1000-2000 m). There are 83 families of epiphytes, of which
The majority of the plants are ferns and flowers. Ferns, lichens, mosses, and other well-known epiphytes are among these.
The cactus of the rainforest are very dissimilar from those found in more arid and temperate regions of the planet.
In order to obtain moisture, desert cacti grow in the sand or dirt, and they have spherical, waxy leaves.
decrease water loss Sharp spines serve as protection for these cactus. However, most cacti come from tropical
areas have elongated leaves for light absorption rather than spiky quills, develop as epiphytes in the canopy, lack
Is a bromeliad a Christmas cactus?
Poinsettias are in bloom all over at this time of year. You could wish to try the simple-to-grow Christmas cactus if you are sick of them. They shouldn’t be allowed to dry out like a typical desert cactus because they are not actual cacti. They are epiphytic plants that grow on trees and other plants in South America, similar to many bromeliads. Epiphytes are plants that attach themselves to branches and thrive there without eating the host plant.
Even for Christmas, the most popular cactus is the one for Thanksgiving. Look at the flattened stem to distinguish between them. Despite looks, it is not a leaf. There are no leaves on these cactus. On the stem’s outer edge, the Thanksgiving cactus bears a number of long, saw-tooth projections. Each section of the stem of a real Christmas cactus often includes four spherical bumps. The edge of the Easter cactus is covered in four to six wavy scallops. On all species, the stem tips may have a few tiny cactus spines.
Because they have a very long lifespan and are resistant to pests and diseases, they make excellent houseplants. They thrive with little attention and even seem to blossom more beautifully when allowed to grow root-bound in the pot. They are at their best when purchased with a few full blooms and covered in buds. You won’t get much of a display if too many blooms are nearly finished blooming.
On the ends of the branches, where the main vein meets the line’s terminus, flowers develop. Occasionally, there will only be one bud, and other times there will be a group of numerous. A tube-shaped group of petals on the flowers spans a length of roughly three inches. They are available in red, pink, purple, orange, and white. The red and pink spectrum of colors is more constrained in Easter cacti.
The Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus will bloom in the fall as a result of the cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths. From late November till the start of the new year, the Thanksgiving cactus will bloom. From late December until early March, Christmas cacti bloom. These cacti might not bloom if they are kept in a warm environment (above 65 degrees) with lots of evening lighting. They will set buds if you give them about six weeks in a cold, dark room or closet each night. If kept in a space that is consistently around 55 degrees, they can bloom in a day. Regardless of sunlight, Easter cacti will blossom if the temperature is below 65 degrees.
They can be grown in flowerpots with either African violet mix, which is available in bags, or a mixture of bark shavings, peat moss, and a little potting soil. Use a planting mix intended for other plants, not cacti, despite their name. Maintain the soil’s moisture throughout the summer, with the exception of when you’re pressuring the plants to bloom, and fertilize once a month. In the summer, you can move them to a shaded outside area. Repotting them should be done when they are not blooming or setting buds. Before going up a pot size, let them grow truly pot-bound. They can be potted in clay or plastic, but a hanging basket may be the best option.
While the flower buds are developing, keep the soil on the dry side. Return to the regular lighting and watering after you can see the little buds.
Although they come from the South and require strong light year-round, if they are moved to an area that receives direct sunlight, they risk getting sunburned. It will be bright enough near a south or west window or by an east window.
One of the simplest plants to propagate are these cacti. Cut off a stem that has at least three portions in May or June. So that a callous can form on the end, leave it out all night. Insert the cut-off piece in moist perlite or sand approximately 1 inch deep. Place the container in a shaded area and keep the lid on to maintain high humidity levels. Within two months, they will start to root. Repot the cutting into a fresh pot when the roots are about one inch long. You can plant a number of cuttings in one pot.
It would be worthwhile to try growing these carefree, simple-to-grow houseplants in your home.
Schlumbergera is an epiphyte, right?
Brazilian rainforests are home to the six species of spineless cacti Schlumbergera, a genus. The plants thrive on trees or bushes as epiphytes, though they can also grow occasionally in shady areas between rocks. Many kinds are cultivated for their eye-catching, lengthy blooms.
The genus contains leafless cacti with photosynthesis-capable stem segments called cladodes. Some species’ stem segments are spherical, while others are flattened. The flowers are often carried horizontally and hummingbirds can pollinate them. They have 2030 undifferentiated petals and sepals called tepals, which come together to form a flower tube. Numerous stamens are characteristically united at the base of the flower, while others emerge from the floral tube. Depending on the species, the fleshy fruit may have smooth or ribbed skin.
Is the Christmas cactus a succulent or a cactus?
While poinsettias continue to be the most popular Christmas flower, Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera bridgesii) are also highly well-liked. Since the 1800s, Christmas cacti have been grown as seasonal plants. French botanist Charles Lemaire created the first Christmas cactus, which he named after Frdric Schlumberger, a French horticulture collector. Although their actual botanical name is Schlumbergera, they are most usually referred to by their previous moniker, Zygocactus. Cherry-red flowers on the original hybrids bloomed around Christmas time.
In southeast Brazil, the ancestors of the modern Christmas cactus were found in 1819. Schlumbergera truncata, the first to be discovered, blooms in October and November and is now known as the “Thanksgiving cactus.” Another, known as the “Easter cactus,” Schlumbergera russelliana, was found in 1837 and blooms from February to April. These two combined to create the first “Christmas Cactus.” These plants have somewhat varied leaves in addition to flowering at various periods. Thanksgiving cacti feature pointy teeth, whereas Christmas cacti have flattened leaves with rounded teeth on the borders. Easter cacti feature leaf joints covered with fibrous hairs and sharp teeth.
In different hues and combinations of white, pink, red, fuchsia, and more infrequently, orange and yellow, there are about 300 hybrid variants. This plant, which really blooms in the winter, belongs to a family of epiphytic cacti that originated in the South American rainforests. Despite what its name suggests, the plant is not a genuine cactus and is not as drought-tolerant. It is a succulent plant, though, and its leaves can hold a respectable amount of water.
In addition to being well-liked holiday gift plants, Christmas cacti are frequently a point of contention among gardeners. They can and do flourish for many years when given the proper care. Plants that are 40 or 50 years old frequently outlive their owners. They are frequently given to the following generation of the family, such as Aunt Mary’s Christmas Cactus or Grandmother’s plant. During their yearly flowering cycle, these long-lived plants can grow to be several feet tall and produce hundreds of blooms. They also acquire what appears to be bark.
Regarding care, upkeep, and especially how to encourage these unusual tropical cacti to bloom again, there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding. The cultural prerequisites are same for all of the holiday cacti. Thought of being heat-loving plants, Christmas cactus actually retain their blossoms longer in colder climates. Homes are frequently dry, and the Christmas cactus enjoys humid environments. Placing the pot with the drip pan on top of a small container packed with pebbles is one approach to increase the humidity specifically for your cactusis. Pour water on top of the pebbles, making sure that it doesn’t go past the bottom of the top layer of stones. As the water evaporates, the humidity level around the cactus will rise. Keep the plant away from drafts from fireplaces, heat vents, and other hot air sources in a well-lit area. The flower buds on the plant may fall off before they have a chance to open due to drafts and temperature variations.
As a tropical plant, the Christmas cactus may really drop its flower buds if the soil becomes too dry. When the plants are stressed by drought, they will wilt. When the top inch or two of soil seems dry to the touch, water it thoroughly. The amount of time between watering sessions will change depending on the relative humidity, air temperature, amount of light, and growth pace.
Although most gardeners like the challenge of keeping the plant beyond the holidays so it can rebloom the next year, the plant doesn’t really need to be fertilized while it is in bloom. Use a fertilizer made for flowering houseplants while the plants are actively growing and adhere to the label’s feeding recommendations for quantity and frequency.
While the Christmas cactus can tolerate low light, plants that have been exposed to higher light intensities tend to produce more profuse flowers. Indoors, keep your plants in a bright area. In the summer, plants can be carried outside, but do so in a shady or somewhat shady area. If leaves are exposed to too much light, they may begin to turn a little crimson. The leaves may actually burn if they receive too much direct sunshine, or they may grow limp. When it comes time to bring the plants back inside in the fall, gradually increase the number of hours they spend inside each day to help them become used to living indoors.
It could be time to repot your plant into a little bigger container if it frequently dries out and/or wilts. Avoid going overboard with the larger pot size; Christmas cacti flower best when they are little pot-bound.
Christmas cactus requires soil that drains well. For succulent plants, use potting soil that has been professionally packed or make your own by mixing two parts ordinary potting soil with one part clean sand or vermiculite. Your Christmas cactus will branch out more if you prune it after it blooms. Pinch off a few pieces of each stem with your fingers or a sharp knife to remove them. To grow new plants, these pieces can be rooted in damp vermiculite.
The thermophotoperiodic Christmas cactus is a type of plant. A specific ratio of day duration and temperature is required for the bud to form. These plants will start to bloom in the Northern Hemisphere when the length of the day is roughly equal to the length of the night and when the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees F. If given lengthy, continuous dark periods—roughly 12 hours each night—Christmas cacti will bloom. To have plants in full bloom by the holidays, start the dark treatments about mid-October. For 6-8 weeks, or until you see buds growing, you can place the plants in a dark closet from around 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. each night. Christmas cacti can blossom without the dark treatments if they are exposed to cool temperatures of around 50 to 55 degrees F. If chilly treatments are initiated by early November, plants should blossom in time for the holidays. Happy holidays and healthy gardening!
About Cultivating Cherokee County
Josh Fuder, the agricultural and natural resources extension agent for Cherokee County, writes for the UGA Extension: Cultivating Cherokee County blog. The blog aims to provide as a resource for individuals to learn about home landscaping, agriculture, gardening, and educational opportunities offered by the Cherokee Cooperative Extension office.