Easter Cactus

Thanksgiving Cactus – Schlumbergera truncata – flowers in October and November. Flowers grow more upward and outward. Leaves have downward scallops with sharp edges. It grows best in light shade. Full sunlight is beneficial in midwinter, but bright sun during the summer months can make plants look pale and yellow. Ideal growth occurs at temperatures between 70° and 80° F during its growing season from April to September. Do not let temperatures rise above 90° F once the flower buds are set in the fall. Continuous warm temperatures can cause flower buds to drop. Water the growing medium when it is dry to the touch. The holiday cactus is tolerant of dry, slightly under-watered conditions. Do not let the soil become waterlogged, especially during the dark days of winter. It is important to not let the soil dry out either. Reduce watering from fall through spring. The Thanksgiving cactus flowers best when kept somewhat pot-bound.   Repotting is necessary only about every three years.

Christmas Cactus – Schlumbergera x buckleyi – flowers in November and December. Flowers grow draping downwards. Leaves have softer, rounded edged scallops facing downwards. In order for indoor plants to flower well during the Christmas season, it is best to provide the following as of mid-September: (a) bright daytime light, (b) night temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees F., and (c) long nights consisting of 13 hours of total darkness (i.e., cover plant with a black cloth or place plant in a totally dark room from 6 pm to 7 am each day for 6-8 weeks). If indoor temperatures at night can be kept at 45-55 degrees F. (which admittedly can be difficult to do in a home), buds will usually form in autumn without employing the strict 13-hour darkness regimen. Soils should receive consistent but moderate moisture. Plants will tolerate dry, slightly under-watered conditions, but soils should not be allowed to dry out or become overly moist. Reduce watering from late winter to spring.

Easter Cactus –Hatiora gaertnerii  (Formerly Rhipsalidopsis sp.) – flowers in March through May. Flowers are star-shaped blooms that open at sunrise, close at sunset and last for several weeks. The leaves are scalloped like the Christmas Cactus but do not face downward and are evenly spaced outwards along the leaf. They do best in bright natural light with no direct sunlight. This is a long-lasting houseplant so older ones (10+ years) can reach 2′ x 2′. Give yours a good drink of water & let it all thoroughly drain out of the pot. Make sure the plant goes dry before you water it again. You don’t want to keep the roots constantly moist or they’ll eventually rot out. Let the soil dry out in between waterings. You don’t want it to go completely dry when in bloom however, so water more often during this time.

Now, at the hottest time of the year, it’s time to think about those holiday cacti that hold the promise of blooming on schedule this winter! They will only show their flowers if we do our part now.

Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, Easter cactus. They are beautiful additions for the holidays, but are even better appreciated when the other decorations are packed away and everything seems a bit dark and gloomy. That is when a gorgeous blooming cactus can bring a little life back into life!

Because these members of the Zygo-cactus family are long-lived and rather easy to grow, they are a popular houseplant, often passed down from generation to generation. Native to the same tropical areas of Central and South America where orchids originate, they are not related to desert cacti. In their natural environment, they are most often found growing in the forks of tree limbs where decayed leaves and other natural debris accumulate.

The cacti calendar can easily be adjusted to have blooms on your own timetable.  Master Gardener and cacti expert Chuck Timberman had a simple formula for getting a Thanksgiving cactus to bloom at the appropriate time: 8-8-8. Starting in August (the 8^th month), restrict the cactus to 8 hours of bright but indirect daylight per day for 8 weeks, keeping it in a dark place for the other 16 hours (absolutely no artificial or natural light). Want it to bloom for Hanukah, Valentine’s Day, or your birthday? Adjust the formula to start the dark period approximately 10-12 weeks ahead of the targeted bloom date.

Really, the key to getting a holiday cactus to bloom includes correct temperature and limited watering, in addition to the proper light exposure. Optimum temperature during this time is 50º-60º even though for Thanksgiving cactus, we’re talking about fall in the Rogue Valley. Keeping the plant in a cool room of the house seems to work adequately. Big no-no’s are placing it near a door that opens to the outside or near heating ducts, fireplaces, or in drafty areas. Normally, holiday cacti should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, but less frequently during the time leading up to blooming.

Happy Holidays!