The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) and Easter cactus ( Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri ) are two popular holiday plants. They both have segmented stems and blooms that appear in shades of pink, red, and white. But there are some key differences between these two species. Christmas cacti have flattened stems with 17–19 ribs, while Easter cacti have round stems with 9–11 ribs. The flowers of Christmas cacti are also narrower and more tubular than those of Easter cacti. And finally, Christmas cacti are more likely to bloom red flowers, while Easter cacti tend to have pink or white blooms.
The easiest way to tell the difference between a Christmas cactus and an Easter cactus is by the shape of their leaves. Christmas cacti have broader, flatter leaves, while Easter cacti have thinner, more pointy leaves. The flowers of the two plants are also different – Christmas cacti have pink or red flowers, while Easter cacti have white or yellow flowers.
What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus?
The three main types of holiday cacti are Thanksgiving cacti, Christmas cacti, and Easter cacti. Thanksgiving cacti bloom from late fall to mid-winter and are often mislabeled as Christmas cacti. Christmas cacti bloom from early winter to mid-winter. Easter cacti bloom from later winter to mid-spring.
Cacti come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and can be found in a wide range of colors and textures. They can have either one or multiple ribs, and their spines can be either straight or curved. Some cacti have flowers, while others do not.
How do I identify my holiday cactus
Here are a few identification tips to help you tell Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti apart:
Look at the shape of the leaves to identify your cactus. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has pointy projections on the sides of the leaves, like crab claws. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesti) has scalloped or teardrop-shaped projections on the leaves.
Another way to tell these two cacti apart is by their blooming time. As their name suggests, Thanksgiving cacti typically bloom in late October or November, while Christmas cacti usually bloom in December.
Finally, take a look at the stems of the cacti. Thanksgiving cacti have smooth, segmented stems, while Christmas cacti have hairy, fibrous stems.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful plant that is known for its flowers that bloom in December. The leaves of the Christmas cactus have a more rounded, scalloped edge and the tip of each segment is slightly curved but they can look almost straight across. The flowers of the Christmas cactus are usually pink or white.
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 will help to trigger the cactus’ natural blooming process. Once the plant has been in the dark for 12 hours, move it back to its regular location. Repeat this process for about six weeks.
Do I have a Christmas or Easter cactus?
The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped. The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii) has very rounded edges which are centralized on the leaf. All of these three cacti are known as short day plants.
The true Christmas cactus is a plant that has stems that arch downwards with a closed habit. The margins of the stems will be rounded with small visible points or nubs. True Christmas cactus flowers will be more rounded than the imposter and will follow the direction of the stem and point down.
What is the rarest cactus
The Knowlton’s miniature cactus is one of the rarest cactus species in the wild. This tiny pink-flowered species is critically endangered due to over-exploitation by collectors. The cactus is found only in New Mexico and Colorado, USA.
If you think your Christmas cactus isn’t getting enough water, give it a good drink and see if that helps. If the leaves are still red or pink after you make these adjustments, it’s possible that the plant is getting too much fertilizer. Cut back on the amount you’re feeding it and see if that makes a difference.
How many times a year does a holiday cactus bloom?
A Christmas cactus can bloom up to two times per year if they’re given the proper care and dormancy conditions. It’s normal for them to bloom in December, and sometimes they will flower again in the spring. If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom multiple times per year, make sure to give it the care it needs and provide the appropriate dormancy conditions. With the right care, your Christmas cactus can bloom beautifully multiple times per year.
Christmas cactus plants should continue receiving dark, cool treatment for at least six to eight weeks, or until buds begin forming. Once buds have formed, it usually takes up to 12 weeks (or less) for blooms to appear. The plant should also be relocated at this time.
How to tell the difference between Easter Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus
To tell the difference between a Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cactus, look at the shape of the stem segments. Thanksgiving cacti have the spikiest stem segments, while Easter cacti have the most subtle, rounded segments. Christmas cacti fall somewhere in between. You can also look at the color of the pollen; Thanksgiving cacti have yellow pollen, while Christmas cacti have pink pollen.
The Christmas cactus is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that can brighten up any holiday season. With proper care, it can even live for up to 100 years! So if you’re looking for a plant that will keep your holidays cheerful for years to come, the Christmas cactus is a great choice.
Is it OK to leave Christmas cactus outside?
You can actually move Christmas cacti outside during the summer—they’ll love the humidity! Just be sure to keep them in a protected, shady area (you could even hang them among the tree branches for a landscape surprise) and don’t let pots sit in water after a heavy rain.
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.
Warp Up
The easiest way to tell a Christmas cactus from an Easter cactus is by the shape of their leaves. Christmas cactus leaves are more triangular in shape, while Easter cactus leaves are more round. The flowers of both plants are also different. Christmas cactus flowers are generally white or pink, while Easter cactus flowers are usually red or purple.
There are several ways to distinguish a Christmas cactus from an Easter cactus. One way is to look at the shape of the leaves. Christmas cacti have more pointy, narrow leaves whereas Easter cacti have broader, flatter leaves. Another way to tell them apart is by the flowers. Christmas cacti have red, pink, or white flowers and Easter cacti have yellow or pink flowers. Finally, Christmas cacti bloom in winter and Easter cacti bloom in spring.
