There are two types of cactus often confused for one another: the Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) and the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). While both plants bloom around the holiday season, there are a few key differences between them. The Thanksgiving cactus has flattened, scalloped-edge leaves, while the Christmas cactus has more round, pointy leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms earlier, typically in late October or early November, while the Christmas cactus flowers a bit later, usually in December. Finally, the Thanksgiving cactus is native to Brazil, while the Christmas cactus is native to southeastern Brazil.
There are a few key differences between Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus. The first is that Thanksgiving cactus has flattened stems with sharp points, while Christmas cactus has rounded stems. Thanksgiving cactus also blooms earlier than Christmas cactus, with flowers that are typically pink or red in color. Finally, the leaves of Thanksgiving cactus are more jagged than those of Christmas cactus.
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 are named as such because they typically bloom near those holidays. 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.
How many times a year does a Thanksgiving cactus bloom
The Thanksgiving cactus is a beautiful plant that blooms in the late fall. Under the right conditions, it will bloom once a year. The key to getting it to bloom is to give it plenty of light and water.
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 stem segments 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.
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, make sure to deadhead all the spent blooms. This will also encourage the plant to continue blooming. Once Christmas is over, you can 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.
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.
When should you put a Christmas cactus in the dark
This step is important in triggering the blooming process of your cactus. By usiing light and dark periods, you can manipulatre the blooming of your cactus.
Holiday cactus plants are quite drought tolerant and don’t need to be watered very often. Check on them every 7-10 days, and only water when the soil feels dry. They need slightly more moisture while they’re blooming than they do the rest of the year.
When should I put my Thanksgiving cactus in the dark?
To ensure your Thanksgiving cactus flowers, start the darkness treatment around the middle of September and keep it up 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 as little as two hours of interrupted lighting will suppress flower bud set.
The 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.
What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus
The three main types of holiday cacti are the Thanksgiving cactus, the Christmas cactus, and the Easter cactus. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms from late fall to mid-winter, while the Christmas cactus blooms from early winter to mid-winter. The Easter cactus blooms from later winter to mid-spring.
Thanksgiving cactus are a great plant to have both indoors and outdoors. They are commonly kept as houseplants in regions that experience freezing temperatures during the winter, but can be moved outside in the spring and summer when nighttime temps are above 50°F.
How do you force a Thanksgiving cactus to bloom?
If you want your holiday cactus to bloom, you have to give it a little break from the warm indoor temperatures. For six to eight weeks, place the plant outside overnight. Temperatures that range from 50–55 degrees Fahrenheit will prompt the holiday cactus to bud. Bring the plant inside if temperatures drop below 40 degrees.
If you want to root Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) plant cuttings in water, it is very simple and fast. Just take a cutting from the plant, remove the lower leaves, and place the cutting in a glass of water. Change the water every few days, and in a few weeks you will see roots growing from the cutting. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can plant the cutting in a pot filled with potting soil.
Warp Up
The two plants are actually in the same family, but there are a few key differences between them. Christmas cactus typically blooms a little later than thanksgiving cactus. The Christmas cactus also has segments that are more pointy and curved, while the segments on the thanksgiving cactus are more flat. Finally, the Christmas cactus tends to be a little taller than the thanksgiving cactus.
Both thanksgiving cactus and christmas cactus are succulents that bloom around the holidays. The main difference between the two is the shape of their leaves. Thanksgiving cactus leaves are more pointy and sharp, while christmas cactus leaves are more rounded.
