The Christmas cactus, also known as the Thanksgiving cactus or Holiday cactus, is a popular houseplant. There are two main types of Christmas cactus, the Schlumbergera truncata and the Schlumbergera russelliana. The Schlumbergera truncata is the most common type of Christmas cactus. It has F. truncata in its scientific name because it was first described by the German botanist Friedrich Trögner. The Schlumbergera russelliana was named after the English gardener, William Russell.
There are a few main difference between Christmas Cactus and Thanksgiving Cactus. The main one is the time of year they bloom. Christmas Cactus blooms around Christmas time (go figure) and Thanksgiving Cactus blooms around, well, Thanksgiving. The other main difference is the shape of their leaves. Christmas Cactus leaves are more pointy and scalloped whereas Thanksgiving Cactus leaves are more rounded. Finally, the Christmas Cactus is native to Brazil and the Thanksgiving Cactus is native to the American Southwest.
How to tell the difference between Easter Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus?
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.
Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti received their names because they typically bloom near the holiday. 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.
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 is a type of cactus that typically blooms in the late fall. These plants are native to the tropical regions of South America and need warm temperatures and high humidity to thrive. When grown outdoors, Thanksgiving cacti can reach up to 6 feet in height. These plants are typically grown as houseplants and will bloom once a year if they are cared for properly.
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.
If you want your cactus to look its best during and after the Christmas season, be sure to deadhead all the spent blooms. This will also encourage the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can continue to enjoy your cactus until it finally stops producing flowers.
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.
To ensure your cactus blooms properly, water the plant evenly and mist it often. The cactus should be placed in an east-facing window to get the proper amount of light and some direct sun. Fertilize the plant every two weeks with a high-potassium fertilizer once buds have formed.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark
If you want your cactus to flower, you’ll need to give it a period of darkness each day. This can be accomplished by either placing the plant in a dark room or keeping it covered for at least 12 hours each day.
Holiday cacti are popular plants because they bloom around traditional holidays. 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.
Should I put my Thanksgiving cactus outside?
Thanksgiving cacti make great indoor or outdoor plants, depending on your climate. They’re common houseplants in areas with freezing winters, but can be moved outside in the spring and summer when nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
If you want your holiday cactus to bloom, you have to give it a little bit of chill. For six to eight weeks before you want the plant to bloom, put it outside overnight in temperatures of 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prompt the plant to bud. But if temperatures drop below 40, bring the plant back inside.
When should I put my Thanksgiving cactus in the dark
If you want your Thanksgiving cactus to flower, you need to give it a period of darkness. Start around the middle of September and keep the plant in the dark for at least eight weeks. You should see buds in three to four weeks. Be careful about keeping the plant in the dark before flowering; even a brief interruption in lighting can suppress flower bud set.
Holiday cactus plants are great for people who don’t want to water their plants very often. They only need to be watered every 7-10 days, and only when the soil feels dry. They need slightly more moisture while they’re blooming than they do the rest of the year, but other than that, they’re pretty low-maintenance.
Where is the best place to put a Thanksgiving cactus?
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.
It’s easy to root Christmas cactus cuttings in water! Just put the cutting in a glass of water and wait for it to take root. It’s that simple!
Warp Up
The main difference between Christmas cactus and Thanksgiving cactus is the time of year they bloom. Christmas cactus typically blooms around Christmastime, while Thanksgiving cactus blooms around Thanksgiving. They are both cacti in the genus Schlumbergera, but they are different species. Christmas cactus is Schlumbergera truncata, while Thanksgiving cactus is Schlumbergera russelliana.
The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus are two different varieties of the plant genus Schlumbergera. Both plants are native to the Brazilian rainforest and have adapted to living in dry, rocky soil. The Christmas cactus has long, strap-like leaves that are red or green, while the Thanksgiving cactus has shorter, wider leaves that are usually green. blooms of each plant also differ in shape and color. The Christmas cactus typically has red or pink flowers, while the Thanksgiving cactus often has white or yellow flowers.
