Christmas cacti are stunning plants when they bloom, and it’s not uncommon to hear stories of cuttings being passed down through generations, thriving for decades. However, do you really know which holiday cactus you have? It’s a common source of confusion for many.
Which Holiday Cactus Do You Have?
Prepare yourself for a surprising revelation: you may actually have a Thanksgiving cactus instead of a Christmas cactus! While they may look similar, they are two different plants.
You're reading: Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus? Which One Do You Have?
Unfortunately, this confusion between the holiday succulents is perpetuated by the mislabeling that often occurs in garden centers. Additionally, both cacti bloom in late fall or early winter, adding to the confusion. However, it’s nice to know which one you truly have. Here’s how to tell them apart:
Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)
Leaves: The Thanksgiving cactus can be distinguished from the Christmas cactus by the shape of its leaves. The leaf segments, known as “phylloclades,” have serrated edges with pointed spines, usually 2-4 on each side. This gives the succulent its nickname, “Crab Claw Cactus.” The last segment has a slightly concave end with a point on each side.
Read more : Why Do Christmas Cactus Leaves Turn Red?
Flowers: Thanksgiving cactus flowers are produced from the tips or where the leaf segments join. They resemble long tubes, creating the illusion of a flower within a flower. These blooms come in a variety of colors, mostly pastels like red, pink, peach, purple, orange, or white, and typically bloom around Thanksgiving. If you examine the anthers, which bear pollen, you’ll notice that those of the Thanksgiving cactus are yellow, while the Christmas cactus has pink to purplish-brown anthers.
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
Leaves: The leaves of the Christmas cactus have a more rounded, scalloped edge. The tip of each segment is slightly curved, but they can sometimes appear almost straight across.
Flowers: Christmas cactus flowers are usually pink or white and bloom in December. However, it’s not uncommon to see blooms between March and May as well.
Easter Cactus
Believe it or not, there’s another cactus called the Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) that blooms in…spring! These succulents have leaves with small bristles and a thick ridge on one side. Their flowers have a star-like shape. Easter cacti are native to the natural non-tropical forests of Brazil. Be cautious when watering them, as they are more sensitive to over- or under-watering.
Getting Your Holiday Cacti to Bloom
Read more : Why Do Christmas Cacti Develop Hair-Like Roots?
If you want your holiday cacti to bloom in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’ll need to start temperature treatments several weeks in advance. Your plants will require 12 to 14 hours of complete darkness, along with cool nighttime temperatures of 60-65°F, for approximately 3-4 weeks to encourage bud formation.
One way to achieve this is by placing the plants in a dark closet from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Alternatively, you can cover them with a large paper bag during the same time frame. Once buds begin to appear, you can resume normal lighting, but ensure the plants remain cool.
If you keep your holiday cacti in a consistently cool room (around 50-60°F) during September and October, they have an excellent chance of producing flowers, although growth may be slower. Be cautious, as buds may drop off if the temperatures are too cool. It’s a delicate balancing act.
March Blooms?
Occasionally, both Christmas cacti and Thanksgiving cacti display prolific blooms in March. This is not unusual. In fact, it’s common to see sporadic blooms between March and May, although they are typically less abundant than those seen during the holidays. The reason for this is that most holiday cacti bloom more than once a year. Keep an eye out for buds forming between the leaf sections. If you wish to encourage blooming, follow the aforementioned steps, or simply wait and see what happens!
Enjoy the vibrant blooms at any time of year and feel free to share pictures of your cacti with us on our Facebook page!
Source: https://designsofapril.com
Category: Succulent
