Holiday Cactus What’s the difference?

Which type of holiday cactus do you have?

There are many different types of cacti that bloom between Thanksgiving and Easter.

Each is appropriately named by the holiday it blooms near.

The differences between these plants are found in the leaf edges ( see above ).

Christmas cacti have scalloped edges while Thanksgiving and Easter cacti have pointed edges.

The Thanksgiving cactus is most common, probably because it is easier to get to bloom.

They each are available in a variety of flower colors including white, pink, red, and orange.

When purchasing a new plant, look for uniform green growth with a good flower bud set.

While "cacti" usually suggest high temperatures and dry air, this is not what these holiday bloomers prefer.

Unlike most cacti, these like moist soil and cooler temperatures.

Take care of your flowering cacti much like you would any other houseplant. Give it a cool, sunny window or other location with bright, indirect light. Too much light can cause flower color to fade. Day temperatures of 70o F

and evening temperatures of 60-65oF are considered ideal.

Avoid overwatering during flowering. Do not fertilize when plants are flowering.

The secret of getting your holiday cactus to bloom is one of air temperature. All of these cacti require a cool night temperature of about 60oF to bloom. Long nights are important too for blooming.

Bring it back to a cool, sunny window as soon as buds start to show. Often the Thanksgiving cactus will bloom without manipulating its growing environment, but the Christmas cactus may need more environmental controls.

If buds start to drop, it may be an indication of one of three things: the plant may need repotting, the temperature may be too high, or the light intensity too low. These plants seldom flower well at temperatures above 70oF.

If you don't have a holiday cactus, consider getting one this holiday season.

How to get your holiday cactus to flower

Limit the amount of water that the plant receives during the fall, end of October/beginning of November.
Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist
Move it to a spot where it receives 12 – 14 hours of darkness with bright indirect light during the day
They need cool temperatures and condition, keep the cactus at about 50 – 55 degrees F.
Buds will form after about 6-8 weeks.
After buds form, move to a sunny location (indirect light NOT direct )
Watering can be increased after buds form and during flowering.
Keep in a draft-free area and enjoy your flowers

Yearly schedule for Holiday Cactus

Spring: Provide fertilizer after flowering

Summer: move outdoors to a shady area and maintain water and fertilizer.

Fall: move indoors before frost and maintain drier soil. Start the budding regimen in September.

Winter: put in a location where it will get four to six hours of indirect sunlight. Keep soil moist. Do not let the air get too dry.

Often the Thanksgiving cactus will bloom without manipulating its growing environment, but the Christmas cactus may need more environment control.

If buds start to drop, it may be an indication of one of

three things: the plant may need repotting, the temperature may be too high, or the light intensity too low. These plants seldom flower well at temperatures above 70oF.