HOW TO CARE FOR CHRISTMAS AND THANKSGIVING CACTUS . Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) was once commonly called the “crab claw cactus” or “crab cactus" before it started being marketed around Turkey Day. After blooms have dropped, stop fertilizing until new growth begins in spring. Flowering results from shorter, cooler days for 8-10 weeks. Whether you train Muehlenbeckia complexa on a trellis, or allow it to trail, you'll love easy-care Angel Vine aka Maidenhair Vine as a houseplant. When flowering ceases, decrease water and set the cacti in full sun. Christmas cactus ( Thanksgiving Cactus) Learn How to grow Christmas cactus (Thanksgiving cactus), A secret of blooming Christmas cactus, Growing Thanksgiving cactus, christmas cactus care, and more about the Holiday cactus plant.. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. The names are almost as tempting as their spectacular blooms. The flowers of the Easter cactus are a bit different. With proper care, you can learn how to avoid common Christmas cactus problems, learn why there are leaves falling off Christmas cactus, and how to make your Christmas cactus bloom. Once buds set, 70-75°F/21-24°C days and 60-70°F/16-21°C nights. I’m referring to the magnificent Schlumbergera truncate, pictured above. 5. The Thanksgiving Cactus has little spine-like notches coming off its leaves (just like a crab claw hence that common name) whereas the leaves of the Christmas Cactus are smoother. If you look closely at the pinkish flowers on the succulent, Thanksgiving cacti’s pollen stems are yellow, while Christmas cacti have white … Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus do well in sandy soils that have excellent drainage, and they hate to … That is, until warm weather invites its return to a shaded, sheltered position outdoors. Holiday Cactus Care. Some people tell me they've had their. The beautiful Thanksgiving Cactus, Schlumbergera truncata is very often mislabeled as the Christmas Cactus. Here are just a few... 'Peach Parfait' and 'Twilight Tangerine' have peach and orange blossoms, respectively...'Red Radiance' is dark crimson...'Majestic' is purple. *** Shipped Bareroot. Even though it is called “cactus”, this one’s a tropical, not a desert plant. Flower buds are likely to drop off if the plant is moved or suddenly exposed to temperature. Aside from the ever-popular Christmas cactus, you’ve probably also seen their counterparts, the Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus. It's a good idea to put small rocks in the bottom of the cachepot to keep the inner pot above drainage water. By far, the most important aspect of Thanksgiving cactus care is watering. If you are completely new to gardening or just need a reminder, here is a free Indoor Plant Care for Beginners in a form of a mini course for you. Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata) has longer, more pointed leaf segments than Christmas Cactus and of course it tends to bloom around Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. Thanksgiving cactus. In general, home gardeners do pretty well with Christmas cactus, both the real thing (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) and its close relative, Thanksgiving cactus (S. truncata), which I’ll call holiday cacti in this article. Schlumbergera truncata is the parent of many hybrid Schlumbergeras. It’s easy for even the well-trained eye to mistake them for the same plant. If the Christmas cactus does not bloom, transplant it in late winter. Putting your cactus outdoors in early fall is ideal. This popular, winter-flowering houseplant makes a great addition to nearly any indoor setting. Flowers emerge from the ends of the stems so you'll get more blooms this way. Thanksgiving Cactus Varieties. Growing Thanksgiving cactus to blooming stage will take a couple of years. Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus belong to the same family of plants, but they bloom at different times. Rather it is an epiphyte, those plants which live on other plants. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Bring it back inside before the first frost. Copyright © 2008-2021 Guide-to-Houseplants.com. Its leaf segments are square shaped with pointed hooks on one end and along the sides like pincers, giving rise to its common name “crab cactus”. Christmas cactus known as Thanksgiving cactus or Easter cactus. Thanksgiving cacti have toothed stem segments that are long and narrow, connected by a mid-rib. Care of Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) and Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) are epiphytes native to the jungles of South America. 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