The Christmas season has arrived, which means not only holiday decorations but also seasonal plants! This is the time of year when there are a lot of attractive holiday plants to pick from, whether you buy them from a florist or a nursery, or you grow them yourself. The Christmas cactus is one of the most popular plants to give or receive at this time of year. Is it a cactus for Easter or Thanksgiving?
The shape of the leaves is the distinction between the three cacti. On the edges of the leaf of the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumgera truncata), there are exceedingly sharp and claw-shaped projections. The leaf projections of the Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) are more scalloped or tear drop shaped. The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii) features a leaf with highly rounded margins that are centered.
What’s the difference between Easter Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus?
On the left, the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has sharp projections on the sides of its leaves that resemble crab claws.
The leaves of the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesti) near the center have scalloped or teardrop-shaped projections.
The leaves of the Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertnerrii) on the right have circular edges.
What does the Thanksgiving cactus look like?
Leaves: The shape of the Thanksgiving cactus’ leaves distinguishes it from the Christmas cactus. Phylloclades are serrated or “toothed” leaf segments with pointed spines, having 2-4 on each side.
Crab Claw Cactus is the name given to these succulents because of this. The last segment’s end is somewhat concave and has a point on each side.
Thanksgiving cactus flowers are formed from the tips, or where the leaf segments unite, of the cactus. They have the appearance of a lengthy tube, as if they are a flower within a bloom.
They appear in a variety of pastel colors, primarily red, pink, peach, purple, orange, or white, and bloom around Thanksgiving.
How do you tell if you have a Christmas cactus?
Looking at the shape of the leaves is the most typical way to tell if it’s a Christmas cactus. It’s a good clue if it’s distinct, but there are lots of varieties that will confound even the most seasoned keen-eyed gardener. There’s more to it (below). If the leaves aren’t distinguishable, the blossoms can help.
How many times a year does a Thanksgiving cactus bloom?
A Thanksgiving cactus will bloom once a year in the late fall if the conditions are correct. Thanksgiving Cacti: How Long Do They Live? Because of their lengthy lifespan, holiday cactus are frequently passed down through the generations. With proper care, a Thanksgiving cactus can live for up to 100 years.
Should I water my Thanksgiving cactus while it’s blooming?
Thanksgiving cactus and its cousins generate flowers at the tips of the leaf segments or where they unite. Allow the soil to dry out during “resting periods,” or when the cactus isn’t producing blooms, to care for your Thanksgiving cactus. When the soil feels dry to the touch, water it.
What color is a Thanksgiving cactus?
Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) are popular fall and winter flowering houseplants native to Brazil. They come in a range of colors, including red, rose, purple, lavender, peach, orange, cream, and white. Schlumbergera species are epiphytes that grow on tree branches in shaded rain forests, and their pendulous stems make them ideal for hanging baskets.
Thanksgiving cactus bloom around Thanksgiving, about a month before Christmas cacti bloom, when grown under standard night duration conditions. The Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri; synonym Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) is another member of the group sold as holiday cacti, with pink or red flowers that bloom predominantly in the spring and occasionally throughout the year. The Thanksgiving cactus is most commonly found for sale during the winter holiday season due to its bloom timing. If the plants are nurtured at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, flowering can extend up to 8 weeks.
Examine the shape of the flattened stem segments, known botanically as phylloclades, to distinguish between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. These stem segments of the Thanksgiving cactus have 2 to 4 saw-toothed serrations or projections along the borders. The Christmas cactus has more rounded stem edges. Because neither of these festive cacti has genuine leaves, photosynthesis takes place within the green phylloclades.
The hue of the pollen-bearing anthers is a second way to identify between these two Schlumbergera species. The Thanksgiving cactus has yellow anthers, whereas the Christmas cactus has purplish-brown anthers.
Is Thanksgiving better than Christmas?
Christmas is far superior to Thanksgiving, as it possesses a lot of great traits that Thanksgiving can never achieve. Christmas is a more traditional, family celebration, but Thanksgiving is a holiday that most people overlook.
Why is my Thanksgiving cactus turning red?
A magnesium deficiency, which is a common illness in Christmas cacti, is characterized by red or purple-tinged foliage and wilting. It happens primarily during the winter months, when feeding and watering are restricted and the plant’s nutrient uptake is slowed by freezing temperatures. Winter temperatures of 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the cactus. Epsom salts can be used to treat a magnesium deficit. 8 heaping tablespoons Epsom salts dissolved in 2 1/2 gallons water, plus 1 to 2 drops dishwashing liquid Fill a spray bottle halfway with the mixture and spritz the tops and undersides of the foliage. Reapply the mixture every two weeks until the foliage regains its natural color.
How many times a year does a Christmas cactus bloom?
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.