Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Okay, What's the Difference?, 0 by KaperC

KaperC wrote:
I stumbled on this message and have a similar ID question for you all. I checked George's photos, but still can't decide what my plant is. The plant tag (one of them) said 'schlumbergera.' Please don't think I torture my plants -- this one has been in the house for years and just got too big. When I moved it outdoors, it lost over half its leaves and is now just settling in.

Now, to confuse things even more, in the beginning I had two and I put them in the same pot. One bloomed early and one bloomed late. I assume there is an Easter bit in there, since it is now setting buds. But it doesn't look like George's 'Easter' picture! So what do you suppose I have?

Thanks,
Kathleen

P.S. Can anyone tell me what the cocoon type thing on the left is? I've been trying to photograph one and just saw it in this pic. They're all over our place and I hope they are beneficial somethings. :-)