Also called the Thanksgiving or holiday cactus, the species and its varieties are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. The Christmas cactus is most often grown as a houseplant and blooms in a wide range of colors from the traditional red to purple, pink, orange, gold and white.
Beside this, what is the difference between a Christmas cactus and a Thanksgiving cactus?
The difference between the three cacti is found in the shape of the leaves. The Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumgera truncata) has very pointed and claw shaped projections on the edges of the leaf. The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped.
Simply so, how often should I water my Thanksgiving cactus?
Water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Overwatering can kill the plant. Provide plenty of indirect light and room temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees F. If you already have a Thanksgiving cactus from last year, to get it to bloom on time you’ll need to begin temperature and light treatments in mid-September.
How can you tell if a cactus is real?
Real cactus flowers are soft as silk and don’t resist when you push on them. Strawflowers have a papery texture and are likely to crack if you try to bend them too much. Or look at what connects the flower to the plant.
Where should I place my cactus?
According to basic Feng Shui principles, placing cactus plants in living room, bedrooms or the front entrance can turn it to a place of conflict, instead of a place of cooperation and harmony. A cactus plant can bring bad Feng Shui if placed in a wrong area.
Should I mist my Thanksgiving cactus?
High temperatures, excessive heat fluctuation, and dry air are not ideal for a holiday cactus, so if your home is excessively dry because of a wood stove or another form of dry heat, make sure to mist the leaves to create humidity around the plants.
How do you get a Thanksgiving cactus to bloom?
How to Get a Holiday Cactus to Bloom
- Cool Air: Give your holiday cactus chilly air (50 to 55 F at night) for 6 to 8 consecutive weeks. The easiest way to do this is to place plants outdoors on a porch or other sheltered spot. …
- Darkness: Holiday cactus plants need 13 (or more) hours of darkness each night.
How do you force a Thanksgiving cactus to bloom?
What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?
Christmas cacti produce flowers in a cool, environment-short day cycle. To initiate the production of flower buds, there needs to be at least eight days of 16 hours of dark and eight hours of light each day. Wherever the plant is placed, do not turn on the lights at night, even for a short period of time.
How do you prune a Thanksgiving cactus?
How long does a Thanksgiving cactus live?
20 to 30 years
When should I prune my Thanksgiving cactus?
The best time to prune a Christmas cactus is right after it has bloomed. At this time, the Christmas cactus will be entering a growth period and will start to put out new leaves. Pruning a Christmas cactus right after it blooms will force it to branch out, which means the plant will grow more of its distinctive stems.
Why is my Thanksgiving cactus turning purple?
Cacti usually turn purple as a response to environmental stress. Potential causes include too much sunlight, temperature problems, root rot, nutritional issues, crowded roots, and cactus cysts. It’s also possible that your plant is perfectly fine, and is just adapting to new conditions.
Do you water a Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?
In general, water a Christmas cactus when the top inch or 2 of soil is dry. To help increase the humidity around your plant, fill the pot saucer with pebbles and add water to just below the tops of the pebbles (the pot shouldn’t be sitting directly in water). The air will become more humid as the water evaporates.
