How to tell a christmas cactus from a thanksgiving cactus?

The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus look very similar, but there are some key differences between them. The Christmas cactus blooms in late December or early January, while the Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late November or early December. The Christmas cactus has pointy, sharp leaves, while the Thanksgiving cactus has rounder, softer leaves. The Christmas cactus also has red or pink flowers, while the Thanksgiving cactus has white or yellow flowers.

The main difference between a Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus is the shape of the leaves. Christmas cactus leaves are more round and blunt, while Thanksgiving cactus leaves are more pointed. Another difference is the blooming season – Christmas cactus typically blooms in December, while Thanksgiving cactus blooms in November.

What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus?

Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata):

The Thanksgiving cactus has flattened stems with sharp teeth-like tips. Its flowers are white, pink, or red and bloom from late fall to mid-winter. The plant is native to Brazil and is often mislabeled as a Christmas cactus.

Christmas cactus (S x buckleyi):

The Christmas cactus has flattened stems with sharp teeth-like tips. Its flowers are white, pink, or red and bloom from early winter to mid-winter. The plant is native to Brazil and gets its common name from its bloom time around Christmas.

Easter cactus (S gaertneri):

The Easter cactus has flattened stems with sharp teeth-like tips. Its flowers are white, pink, or red and bloom from later winter to mid-spring. The plant is native to Brazil and gets its common name from its bloom time around Easter.

Cacti come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and can be easily identified by their characteristic stem shape and size, as well as the number and shape of their ribs. The color and texture of a cactus can vary widely, but they all have spines which can be either short and sharp, or long and needle-like. Some cacti also have flowers, which can be either large and showy, or small and inconspicuous.

Is it Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus

The true Christmas cactus has a flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges. The Thanksgiving cactus has a very toothy stem with two to four pointed teeth. While the Christmas cactus stems hang down like a pendent, the Thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow upright at first and then arch.

The Thanksgiving cactus has the spikiest stem segments of the three varieties, 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.

What kind of Christmas cactus do I have?

The Schlumbergera bridgesti, also known as the Christmas cactus, is a popular plant during the holiday season. The plant is native to Brazil and is known for its beautiful, scalloped leaves. The Christmas cactus is a relatively easy plant to care for and can thrive in a variety of conditions. With proper care, the plant can bloom for many years.

The Christmas cactus is a unique plant that is recognizable by its downward-pointing stems and flowers. This cactus is native to the tropical rainforests of South America and is not actually a cactus at all! The Christmas cactus is a member of the genus Schlumbergera and is closely related to the Thanksgiving cactus. These plants are popular houseplants and are known for their easy care and long-lasting blooms. The Christmas cactus is known for its ability to bloom indoors during the holiday season, hence its name. These plants are relatively easy to care for and can be propagated by stem cuttings.

What are the most sought after cactus?

Cacti are a type of plant that is known for its thick, fleshy stems and its spines. Cacti come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be found in all sorts of colors. Some cacti are rare, and can make your cactus collection extraordinary. Here are a few rare cactus plants to look for:

Ruby Ball – Also known as Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, this cactus is native to Argentina and Bolivia. It is a small cactus, and its stem is bright red in color.

Totem Pole – This cactus, also known as Lophocereus schottii var monstrosus, is native to Mexico. It gets its name from its tall, slender shape. Totem Poles can grow to be over 20 feet tall!

Bizanguita – Also known as Turbinicarpus alonsoi, this cactus is native to Mexico. It is a small cactus, and its stem is green with white stripes.

Orange Cob – This cactus, also known as Lobivia famatimensis cristata, is native to Bolivia. It is a small cactus, and its stem is orange

Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are named after the holidays because they typically bloom near that time. However, that is not always accurate. Day length and temperature trigger bloom periods. Therefore, your Thanksgiving cacti might bloom at Halloween and your Christmas cacti might bloom closer to Thanksgiving.

What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom

To encourage bud set, provide bright light, temperatures between 55 degrees F and 65 degrees 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.

it is important to deadhead your cacti after the Christmas season in order to keep them looking their best. 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.

How old does a Thanksgiving cactus have to be to bloom?

If you have a Thanksgiving cactus that didn’t bloom during its second year, don’t worry – it’s not uncommon. Growers often force the plants to bloom just prior to selling them during the holiday season, so they may not bloom again for a year or two. Just be patient and you should eventually see blooms again.

Holiday cacti are a type of cactus that can bloom more than once a year. They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any home. If you are thinking about getting a holiday cactus, be sure to check out our guide to watering indoor plants so that you can keep your plant healthy and blooming for years to come.

Why do blooms fall off Thanksgiving cactus

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.

Christmas cactuses are amazing plants that can flower over and over again for years! They’re low-maintenance, easy to care for, and have stunning flowers. When properly cared for, they can even last up to 100 years! So if you’re looking for a festive, beautiful plant to add to your home, the Christmas cactus is a great option.

What are the two types of Christmas cactus?

Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti are two of the most popular types of cacti. They are known for their ability to bloom after a short period of time, typically 6 weeks. Flowering usually occurs in late fall or winter. Easter cactus is another popular type of cactus. It typically takes 8-12 weeks for buds to form, and flowering usually occurs in late winter or early spring.

If you’re looking for a plant that will bloom in December, the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a great option. The leaves of this plant have a more rounded, scalloped edge, and the flowers are usually pink or white.

Final Words

The two cacti can be told apart by a few key features. Christmas cacti have segmented leaves that are smooth and have rounded tips, while Thanksgiving cacti have segmented leaves that are scalloped with sharp points. The Christmas cactus blooms in late fall or early winter, while the Thanksgiving cactus blooms in mid-winter to early spring. Additionally, the Christmas cactus is native to Brazil and the Thanksgiving cactus is native to Mexico.

There are a few key differences between Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus. Christmas cactus tend to have segmented leaves that are more flat and scalloped. The Thanksgiving cactus has leaves that are more toothed and pointed. The flowers on a Christmas cactus are also generally more trumpet-shaped, while the flowers on a Thanksgiving cactus are more bowl-shaped. When it comes to care, both types of cactus prefer bright, indirect light and slightly dry soil.

Merry Peters is a passionate gardener and horticulturist. She is dedicated to understanding the science behind growing plants, and has a deep interest in studying the various species of flowers. Merry loves to share her knowledge with others, providing helpful information about flowers and their cultivation.

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