No, Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus are not the same. They are two different species of cactus that bloom at different times of the year. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late fall or early winter, while the Christmas cactus blooms in mid-winter.
There are actually a few different types of cacti that are commonly referred to as Christmas cacti or Thanksgiving cacti, but the two most popular types are the Schlumbergera truncata and the Schlumbergera russelliana. While these two types of cacti are in the same genus, they are not the same plant. The Schlumbergera truncata, which is also sometimes called the Bogotá cactus, is native to Brazil. The Schlumbergera russelliana, on the other hand, is native to southeastern Brasil. Both of these plants are popular as holiday gifts and decorations, but they do have some notable differences. For example, the Schlumbergera truncata typically has flowers that are white or pale pink, while the Schlumbergera russelliana usually has flowers that are a brighter pink or red color.
How to tell the difference between Easter Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus?
The three main varieties of cactus are the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cacti. Each variety has different features that you can use to tell them apart. The Thanksgiving cactus has the spikiest stem segments of the three, and its pollen is yellow. The Christmas cactus has less spikey pads with rounder edges, and its pollen is pink. The Easter cactus has subtle, rounded edges on its stem segments.
There are three main types of “holiday cacti” available:
Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) bloom from late fall to mid-winter and are often mislabeled as Christmas cacti.
Christmas cacti (S x buckleyi) bloom from early winter to mid-winter.
Easter cacti (S gaertneri) bloom from later winter to mid-spring.
Why is it called a Thanksgiving cactus
The Thanksgiving cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms around the Thanksgiving holiday. This plant is a great way to add a splash of color to your home during the colder months.
To get your Thanksgiving cactus to bloom, you’ll need to mimic the shorter days and cooler nights of autumn. The ideal conditions for flower bud formation include bright daylight followed by fourteen hours of continued darkness in a cool environment with temperatures between 60 and 68°F. Once the buds have formed, you can expect them to open within six to eight weeks. Enjoy your beautiful blooms!
Should I remove spent blooms on a Thanksgiving cactus?
To keep your cacti looking its best during and after the Christmas season, deadhead all the spent blooms. This also encourages the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can continue to enjoy your cacti until it finally stops producing flowers.
Dropping buds can be a result of overwatering, temperature extremes or lack of light. Your plant was given special treatment to make it bloom at Christmas, and it was provided with perfect growing conditions during this time. Somewhere in transit, or perhaps in your home, it encountered less than ideal conditions.
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 F and 65 F, and 13 hours or more of continuous darkness each day. For flowers during the winter holiday season, long nights should be started in late September or October and continued for eight weeks.
This step is important because it tricks the cactus into thinking that winter is coming. Reduced light exposure causes the plant to produce more chlorophyll, which makes the cactus turn a rich, deep green.
How do you force Thanksgiving cactus to bloom
If you want your holiday cactus to bud, your best bet is to put it in cool temperatures for six to eight weeks straight. This means leaving the plant outside overnight, where temperatures should ideally be between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If it gets too cold (below 40 degrees), though, you’ll need to bring the plant inside.
If you’re looking for a plant that will bloom more than once a year, a holiday cactus is a great option. These plants are relatively easy to care for and can thrive in a wide range of environments. However, it’s important to know how to water your holiday cactus properly, as too much or too little water can lead to problems. Our guide to watering indoor plants can help you ensure your holiday cactus stays healthy and blooms for years to come.
Do you water a Thanksgiving cactus from the top or bottom?
When watering your Christmas cactus from the bottom, experts recommend using a tray or saucer filled with water. The plant should be placed in the tray or saucer and allowed to sit for about 30 minutes, so that the roots can soak up the water. This method can help to ensure that your plant gets enough water every time, as it will reach all of the roots.
To ensure your holiday cactus blooms beautifully and stays healthy, water it every 7-10 days and check the soil to make sure it feels dry before you water. They need slightly more moisture while they’re blooming than they do the rest of the year.
When should I put my Thanksgiving cactus in the dark
Thanksgiving cactus is a type of cactus that blooms around the Thanksgiving holiday. In order to get the cactus to bloom, it needs to be kept in complete darkness for at least eight weeks before the holiday. The cactus will start to form buds in three to four weeks, so it is important to be careful about not exposing it to any light during this time. If the cactus is exposed to light, even for a short period of time, it will not bloom.
The holiday cacti grow best in light shade. Full sunlight is beneficial during fall and winter, but bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow. Ideal spring and summer growth occurs at temperatures between 70 to 80 °F during its growing season from April to September.
Is Epsom salt good for Thanksgiving cactus?
Christmas cacti grow best when they are receiving a monthly fertilizer application during the growing season. The best kind of fertilizer to use is one that is high in magnesium, such as Epsom salts. To apply, mix 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water and apply it to the plant. Do not apply the fertilizer the same week as you would regular fertilizer.
Here is a simple and fast way to root Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus cuttings in water:
1. Fill a clean glass jar or vase with fresh water and insert the cutting, making sure that at least 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) of the stem is submerged.
2. Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot out of direct sunlight.
3. Change the water every few days and keep an eye on the level, adding more as needed so that the cutting doesn’t dry out.
4. In 4-6 weeks, you should see roots beginning to form at the base of the cutting.
5. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can pot up the cutting in a well-draining potting mix and continue to grow it indoors or out, as desired.
Final Words
No, Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus are not the same. They are two different species of cactus.
No, thanksgiving cactus and christmas cactus are not the same. Christmas cactus is actually a hybrid of two different species of cactus, while thanksgiving cactus is only one species. They may look similar, but they are not the same plant.
