Christmas Cactus Or Thanksgiving Cactus

In brazil the genus is referred to as flor de maio may flower reflecting the period in which they flower in the southern hemisphere.

Christmas cactus or thanksgiving cactus. Easter cactus when comparing mature holiday cacti the easter cactus will be the smaller of the plants. Claw cactus or crab cactus the quickest way to identify a thanksgiving cactus schlumbergera truncata is to check the leaves for pointy edges and note the time of year it flowers this is the most common holiday cactus sold in stores due to qualities making them more convenient to mass produce ship and display. Thanksgiving cactus typically the 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.

This treatment should be started around mid october as it helps the plant to bloom properly. In the northern hemisphere they are called christmas cactus thanksgiving cactus crab cactus and holiday cactus. How to tell the difference. While the christmas cactus stems hang down like a pendent the thanksgiving cactus has stems that grow upright at first and then arch.

The thanksgiving cactus has a very toothy stem with two to four pointed teeth. Although cacti are heat tolerant christmas cactus blossoms better in cold temperatures. Differences in the general shape of the holiday cactus. It also goes by zygocactus.

It doesn t really matter which you have the care is the same. The true christmas cactus has a flattened stem segments with smooth scalloped edges. Christmas cactus requires dark treatments which imply keeping it in dark for around 12 hours each night. With 2 4 on each side.

You can identify it by the pointy teeth on the sides of each stem segment. Common names for these cacti generally refer to their flowering season. The leaf segments called phylloclades are serrated or toothed with pointy spines. Christmas cactus begins growing upright but as it matures the stems are pendent arching down.

The easter cactus flower hatiora gaertneri is a starburst shape. Best thanksgiving and christmas cactus care tips. The best way to tell the difference between thanksgiving and christmas cacti is to take a close look at the leaves. The leaves of the thanksgiving cactus have sharp points on them whereas the christmas cactus has more rounded edges.

Christmas cactus needs a well drained soil.