The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus are two different plant species. The Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata) is native to Brazil, while the Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera bridgesii) is native to southeastern Brazil. The Christmas cactus has shorter, broader leaves and blooms earlier than the Thanksgiving cactus. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms later and has longer, narrower leaves.
The main difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus is the time of year they bloom. Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late October or early November, while Christmas cactus blooms in December.
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.
There are two types of cactuses that are often confused for one another- the Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus. The main difference between the two is the shape of their stem segments. The Christmas cactus has flattened stem segments with smooth, scalloped edges while the Thanksgiving cactus has very toothy stem segments with two to four pointed teeth. Additionally, the Christmas cactus typically has stems that hang down like a pendent while the Thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow upright at first and then arch.
What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus
The 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.
Thanksgiving and Christmas cacti are named after the holidays because they typically bloom around that time. However, that is not always accurate. Day length and temperature trigger bloom periods, so your Thanksgiving cacti might bloom at Halloween and your Christmas cacti might bloom closer to Thanksgiving.
How old does a Thanksgiving cactus have to be to bloom?
If you are patient and wait for a year or two, your Thanksgiving cactus is likely to bloom again. However, growers often force the cacti to bloom just before selling them during the holiday season, which means that the plants may not bloom during their second year.
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. Here are some tips on how to care for your holiday cactus:
-Water your cactus regularly, but allow the soil to dry out in between watering.
-Place your cactus in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight.
-Fertilize your cactus every few weeks during the growing season.
-To encourage blooming, give your cactus a 12-hour period of darkness each night.
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.
Thanksgiving cactus make great houseplants in regions with freezing temperatures during winter. They can be moved outside during spring and summer when nighttime temperatures are above 50°F.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark
This will help to trigger the cactus’ natural flowering process. Once the plant has been in the dark for 12 hours, remove it and place it in a bright location.
If you want your Christmas cactus to bloom again in the spring, try placing it in an east-facing window. This will give it plenty of sunlight during the day, and darkness for 12 hours each night.
How long do Christmas cactus live?
The Christmas cactus is a festive and low-maintenance plant that can liven up any home during the holidays. With proper care, it can even live for up to 100 years! So if you’re looking for a long-lasting Christmas decoration, the Christmas cactus is a great option.
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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.
To keep your schlumbergera truncata evenly moist during the flowering period, water using the “soak and drain” method. Bring the plant to the sink and water thoroughly, allowing the water to drain out of the pot completely. This will ensure that your plant stays healthy and blooms beautifully.
Should I remove spent blooms on a Thanksgiving cactus?
To keep your cacti looking 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 cacti until it finally stops producing flowers.
To get your Thanksgiving cactus to bloom, you’ll need to provide it with 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.
Conclusion
There are a few key differences between Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus. For one, Thanksgiving cactus have narrow, pointy leaves, while Christmas cactus have broader, more rounded leaves. Additionally, the flowers on a Thanksgiving cactus are typically a bit smaller than those on a Christmas cactus. Finally, Thanksgiving cacti typically bloom a bit earlier than their Christmas counterparts.
The two plants are actually quite different. Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is a member of the family Cactaceae, while Christmas cactus (S. xbuckleyi) is a member of the family Schlumbergeracaea. Thanksgiving cactus typically has flattened, somewhat triangular shaped segments with sharp points, while Christmas cactus segments are more rounded. Christmas cactus also usually has a brighter red flower than Thanksgiving cactus.
