The two plants are actually quite different. Thanksgiving cactus, also called crab cactus, get their name from the fact that they bloom around Thanksgiving. They are native to Brazil, and have smooth, pointy leaves. Christmas cactus, on the other hand, are native to Mexico and have hairy, scalloped leaves. They got their name because they often bloom around Christmas.
There are several key differences between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. The most notable difference is the time of year they bloom. Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late October or early November, while Christmas cactus blooms in December. The flowers of each plant are also slightly different. Thanksgiving cactus flowers tend to be red or pink, while Christmas cactus flowers are typically white. Finally, the leaves of each plant differ in shape. Thanksgiving cactus leaves are more narrow and pointy, while Christmas cactus leaves are broader and more rounded.
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.
The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus are two different species of plant. The Christmas cactus has flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges, while the Thanksgiving cactus has very toothy stems with two to four pointed teeth. The Christmas cactus’ stems hang down like a pendent, while the Thanksgiving cactus’ stems grow upright at first and then arch.
Why does my Christmas cactus bloom at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are named after the holidays because they typically bloom near those times. 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.
There are three main types of “holiday cacti” available:
1. Thanksgiving cacti (Schlumbergera truncata) bloom from late fall to mid-winter and are often mislabeled as Christmas cacti.
2. Christmas cacti (S x buckleyi) bloom from early winter to mid-winter.
3. Easter cacti (S gaertneri) bloom from later winter to mid-spring.
How old does a Thanksgiving cactus have to be to bloom?
If you are a grower of Thanksgiving cacti, it is important to know that forcing the plants to bloom just prior to selling them during the holiday season is not uncommon. However, it is also not uncommon for the plants not to bloom during their second year. This means that you may have to wait patiently for a year or two before you see blooms again.
Thanksgiving cactus are plants that can be kept either indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate. They are commonly kept as houseplants in colder regions, as they can be moved outside during the spring and summer when nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
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.
Thanksgiving cacti and Christmas cacti are two popular types of cacti that are often used as decorative plants. They are similar in appearance, but there are some notable differences between the two. Thanksgiving cacti have flat leaf-like stem segments with pointed edges, while Christmas cacti have rounded edges. When allowed to rebloom naturally (as opposed to having flowering controlled by a greenhouse environment), Thanksgiving cacti flower in late November, and Christmas cacti flower in late December.
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.
This will help the cactus start to form buds. The darkness signals to the plant that it is time to start preparing for winter.
Should I water Christmas cactus while blooming?
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently.
Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.
Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
Thanksgiving cactuses are native to the tropical areas of Brazil and need warm temperatures to thrive. During the fall and winter months, when temperatures start to cool off, the plant will enter into its dormancy period. During this time, it is important to keep the plant evenly moist, but not soggy. A handy way to water a Thanksgiving cactus is the “soak and drain” method. To do this, bring the plant to the sink and give it a good watering, allowing the water to drain out of the drain hole in the bottom of the pot.
How do I keep my Christmas cactus blooming
Many succulents will not bloom again once they have flowered, but Christmas cactus is an exception. If you place it in an east-facing window that gets plenty of sunlight during the day and 12 hours of darkness at night, it will encourage the plant to flower again in spring.
The Christmas cactus is a lovely plant that can bloom for many years. Its flowers are beautiful and it is easy to take care of. If you give it the proper care, it can last for up to 100 years! This plant can bring holiday cheer to your family for many generations.
How can you tell if a Christmas cactus is male or female?
The scarlet teardrop is a beautiful and unique design that is perfect for any special occasion. It is a great way to add a touch of class and elegance to your outfit and is sure to make you stand out from the crowd.
To get your Thanksgiving cactus to flower, start the darkness treatment around the middle of September and keep it up for at least eight weeks. You will see buds in three to four weeks. Be careful about keeping the cactus in the dark before flowering; even as little as two hours of interrupted lighting will suppress flower bud set.
Warp Up
The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus are both plants in the genus Schlumbergera, but they are different species. The Christmas cactus (S. truncata) blooms around Christmastime, while the Thanksgiving cactus (S. russeliana) blooms around Thanksgiving. Both plants are native to Brazil.
There are several key differences between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. Perhaps the most notable difference is that Thanksgiving cactus typically has red flowers, while Christmas cactus typically has white flowers. Additionally, the Thanksgiving cactus blooms a bit earlier than the Christmas cactus. Finally, the Thanksgiving cactus is native to Brazil, while the Christmas cactus is native to Mexico. All of these factors contribute to the overall different appearance and feel of these two types of cacti.
