Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
Photo by Simona Bottone / Shutterstock .
A favorite vacation flora , Christmas cactus are succulents that are unremarkably grow as houseplants . pronto rule in garden centers and stores in mid - fall , Christmas cactuses get their name from the time of year they bloom . They do require special attention to encourage blooming , but otherwise are passably prosperous to deal for .
CHRISTMAS CACTUS CARE
Here are tip to help you handle for your Christmas cactus :
HOW TO GET A CHRISTMAS CACTUS TO BLOOM
The severe part of caring for a Christmas cactus is arrest it to re - blossom . Here are some tips to get you on the correct track :
CHRISTMAS CACTUS vs. THANKSGIVING CACTUS
Most “ Christmas cactus ” see in computer memory during the holiday season are actually Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) because they bloom somewhat in the first place than honest Christmas cactus ( S. bridgesiiorS.xbuckleyi ) . Both are often refer to as holiday cactus or Zygocactus , confusing them even further . Their care is the same , so it ’s not critical to tell them apart , but here ’s how :
exposure by Lacy Dent / Shutterstock
Photo by Kapa 1966 / Shutterstock
CHRISTMAS CACTUS PROBLEMS
A few wind to help you troubleshoot uncouth job :
CHRISTMAS CACTUS BASICS
Origin : aboriginal to rainforest and coastal mountains of southeast Brazil ; found in nature seize to trees and rock , not grow in grunge .
ontogenesis pace and size : Can make a spread of 2 base within just a few years . Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus can last for year , even decades .
Foliage : Green ‘ leaf pads ’ are actually stem section .
bloom : Bloom in a miscellanea of colors , let in fuchsia ( most vulgar ) and pink , red , blanched , or jaundiced .
perniciousness : Not toxic to dogs or cats , although the fibrous plant material can cause stomach irritation .
Easter cactus . Photo by TwilightArtPictures / Shutterstock .
WHAT ABOUT EASTER CACTUS?
To further confuse the number , there ’s a third industrial plant , Easter cactus ( Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri ) that looks very interchangeable to a Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus , but is really from a completely different plant group . They can be distinguish by the more subtley scalloped base segments and whizz - forge bloom . Easter cactuses bloom in leap around Easter time .
