Ok, I want to know. Is there really a TRUE Christmas Cactus or is it just a Thanksgiving Cactus that blooms later? If there is such a creature, I would like to know where to buy one. All of mine seem to bloom around this time of year. Thanks for your help.
Yes, Virginia, there is a true Christmas Cactus
There are indeed Christmas Cactus, Virginia. They are even now crowding the greenhouses, well watered, well fertilized and primed with buds that will likely fall off once the plant goes from ideal conditions to the average home. (Average meaning only a few hours of sun, with relative humidity <20%.)
The Turkey Days blooms are brought to you by hybrids with Schlumbergera truncata.
The Christmas Cactus (S. bridgesii hybrids) have scalloped edges to the stems, not pointy-leaved like the ones blooming now at the Home Depots of the world.
The similar plants that bloom in the spring are another genus altogether. The ones called Easter, Sunrise or other names like that are Rhipsalis gaertneri. The bloom is very different, with the petals arranged more like daisy petals (radial symmetry). The stems also sport dark hairs at the ends, modified spines really. These also grow more upright and tend to grow bark (called corking) on segments more than 2 years old. In good light, the edges of the stems segments get quite dark red, with the rest of the leaf-like stem remaining green.
Edited because for some reason only the first few sentences made it onboard. I don't mind, my wife does the same thing to me (deservedly so.)
This message was edited Nov 21, 2006 6:48 PM
For some reason only the first part of the post made it through. Every preview screen rejected the rest of my text, but I hit send anyway, hoping i was not understanding something and the whole thing would show. Anyways, here is the rest:
I quit. If we can only post 5 lines, goodbye.
Wait, don't stop!
Penn Pete, that must have been a glitch of sorts. This never happened to me.
Penn Pete - do I detect a note of sarcasm there? I hope so!
There is no such thing as a ' true' Christmas or Thanksgiving Cactus. Fancy names for marketing purposes I think.
They are all Schlumbergia - some just happen to bloom earlier or later than others.Some of mine will bloom off and on all year.
The most common types are S. Truncata or a truncata hybrid called Buckleyii.
carolvan
Actually, I think there is a difference. To quote PotEmUp in a post from a year or so ago:
Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has pointed claws (hence lobster claw cactus.)
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) does not have the pointed claws, but the indent is more pronounced than with Easter Cactus.
Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) has no teeth on leaves or jointed stems, and has little "hairs" at the joints. Some of mine are reddish on the edges, others are all green.
Where would I find such a creature. I am interested in having one of each type. All of mine have been Thanksgiving cactus then as they have all bloomed this time of year. In addition, the ones that I have had all died as a result of rot. I grow orchids and have much success, so I know how to watch for watering issues, but even hard as I try, I have not had luck at keeping these alive. Any help on that issue?
I don't know where to find them. I would love to find some of the others, too!
Somewhere in one of these forums is a really great comparison in pictures of the different kinds, but I can't find it anywhere. I don't remember who did it either.
As for watering - mine (Schlumbergera truncata) get very little water, far less than orchids. I really only water them when they're looking a little wrinkley from a lack of water.
Try this old thread started by George (PotEmUp)
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/471314/
Thank you, Candy, I looked and looked for that thread!!