I've had this plant (Schlumbergera bridgesii) for about 6 years. My mother had it and I retrieved it when she died, and I believe someone had given her a cutting. It has only bloomed for me twice and usually around May. Can anyone shed any more light on this variety. It's bloom is totally different from my other varieties that bloom around Thanksgiving-Christmas.
Thanks!
It's a different species than the ones that bloom at Thanksgiving/Christmas which is why the flowers look different and it blooms at a different time. I'm not sure exactly what info you were looking for--there's an Orchid Cactus forum where you could probably find out a lot more about it, get tips on how to make it flower more, etc. And I think I've seen a few threads about these on the regular Cacti/succulents forum too.
I believe you're right, OutsidePlaying. It looks like an Easter Cactus to me, too. The "hair" on the top of each segment is supposed to be a good defining characteristic or at least so I've heard.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/12921/
Congrats on the bloom! It looks great! I'm still waiting to see if mine will do anything this year!
cjolene, thank you for the link. With the dark foliage, it looks like one posted by ocimum_nate (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). It actually missed blooming at Easter. I took this photo about 2 weeks ago. It surprised me since I haven't seen a bloom in about 3 years.
I would like to find out how I can get it to bloom more. It's been in the same pot for 6 years now. I don't have any problems with my others blooming, and one is in the same room with the same conditions as this one. I'll check out the orchid cactus forum and see if there is any info there.
It reminds me of a sunrise cactus. I have one that look really similair.
Does your photo show the blooms fully opened?
The reason I ask is that the blooms of 'Easter Cacti' are usually a bit more 'open' (for lack of a better word at the moment, lol!) than that.
I have two that are considered Easter Cacti (Rhipsalidopsis) and one did bloom near Easter, though one has a few buds that are just about to open now, and it also blooms at least once more during the summer when I place it outdoors.
Here is a discussion of the differences:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/471314/
and
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/518970/
I have two in bloom right now, red and a hot pink. Possibly the amount of bloom would depend on the amount of light received. The bloom cycle is determined by the seasonal change of light and as a house plant they may not get the signal quite right.
Here's a few pics of my Sunrise Cactus. Just finished blooming about 2 weeks ago.
Debbie
A little closer. That lable is not correct. My plant is labeled Sunrise Cactus 'Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri' The blooms open in the morning then close at night.
This message was edited Jun 11, 2006 8:12 AM
Closeup of flower. On mine, the oldest parts of the plant is turning brown, but still puts out new growth. Any ideas what causes that?
Debbie your plant is gorgeous!
:) Donna
Nan, my blooms are only partially open (or closed is more like it). I took this photo when the blooms were on the decline.
Debbie, your plant is gorgeous. My blooms are more like yours, just red instead of the hot pink.
Now if I can just understand the difference between the 'Easter' and 'Sunrise' varieties, LOL! Thanks to all.
Elaine
Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is the species. It has been crossed with R. rosea to produce a number of hybrids. I suspect " Sunrise" is one of them.
I have an 'original' R. gaertneri.
http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL635/2413050/6195961/60872146.jpg
This message was edited Jun 12, 2006 12:16 PM
Marianinark, my plant is more like yours than any of the other photos I've seen. I may move it this fall to a sunnier spot and see if I get more blooms next year.
I keep mine in a rather cold utility room all winter.( It has windows on three sides.) When it starts showing buds, I bring it into the livingroom.
