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Alongside garden mums and poinsettias , the Thanksgiving cactus starts to make its appearance in flower shops and plant nurseries just as fall conditions begins to descend in . For many , thissucculentis synonymous with the season , and endow a Thanksgiving cactus to a party host is a tradition almost as onetime as cut the bomb .
Thanksgiving Cactus Care at a Glance
Common Name : Thanksgiving cactusScientific Name : genus Schlumbergera truncataSoil : Fast - drainingLight : Bright , indirectWater : ConsistentFood : Only during bound and summerTemperature and humidness : 65 to 80 degree Fahrenheit ; 50 percent humidity or higherPropagation : CuttingsSafety : Nontoxic
Thanksgiving Cactus Characteristics
Thanksgiving cactus , orSchlumbergera truncata , is a beautiful inflorescence flora that appears in industrial plant nurseries and grocery stores in October and November , when it begins to bloom an detonation of waxy , colorful flowers that last throughout the holiday season . Thanksgiving cactus people of colour include orange , coral , red , pinkish , white , bicolor , and sometimes even yellow-bellied .
When identifyingChristmas cactus vs. Thanksgiving cactus , there can be some confusion . Thanksgiving cactus also is commonly sold under the nameZygocactus . grace cactus is also sometimes touch on to as “ sham Christmas cactus , ” owe to the fact that its penny-pinching relative , Schlumbergeraxbuckleyiis the “ true ” Christmas cactus .
Thanksgiving cacti are native to Brazil and are sort out as air plant , meaning they get much of their nutrients from the atmosphere and moisture rather than the soil . This makes them lovers of humidness and enemies of excessive watering , both of which pass water them easy houseplants to care for during and after the blooming full stop .
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Selecting Soil for Thanksgiving Cactus
Because they are considered succulents , Thanksgiving cactus dirt should be fast - draining and well - balanced to keep the plant ’s shallow beginning from posture in pee . Thebest dirt for succulentsincludes a blend of peat moss , perlite , common George Sand , and some kind of organic mulch . Thanksgiving cactus ’s shallow radical come with a incentive : They choose to be crowd together in their tidy sum , which think of they can live in the same pot for years .
The Right Light
When grow indoors , Thanksgiving cactus light requirements are generally comfortable to keep . Similar to other houseplants , they do well inbright , collateral sunlightor can take some morning sun ( particularly in the winter months when sunlight is n’t as vivid ) . A north- or Orient - facing window unremarkably works best . Around September , give the plant 13 or 14 hour of wickedness each dark for at least 4 or 6 week will help bud coif and improve flowering .
If Thanksgiving cactus stems start to look pallid green , yellow , reddish , or even purple , the color change likely show the plant is getting too much sunlight . When outdoor temperatures allow ( typically April to September , but this can vary ) the Thanksgiving cactus can be placed out of doors in an domain with bright , collateral luminousness or a curt amount of sunup sun , so typically a bright , shaded area .
Watering Thanksgiving Cactus
The Thanksgiving cactus has a shallow root organization that only reach a few column inch down . While an reward of this rootage system is less infrequent repotting , a downside is the need for consistence in the amount of water they receive . grace cacti should be watered when the top in or so of soil has dried out . On average , this will be every 3 days during periods of active emergence or bloom , but it can depend on the humidity in the way . Err on the side of dry toavoid overwateringand rely on how the grunge feel to the pinch as the good gauge for when to water .
Always earmark the piss to debilitate adequately from the container , and never keep the filth sloppy or allow the disk below to remain full of water . If the Thanksgiving cactus is in a decorative pot or wrapped in foil and does n’t have drainage , ensure to slay these covers when water to fend off water accumulating .
Fertilizing Thanksgiving Cactus
Fertilize Thanksgiving cactus sparingly , once a calendar month during the give and summer months with a H2O - soluble plant food . Be sure the soil is not dry when enforce the fertilizer , but rather water good , then water again with fluent fertiliser , following the manufacturer ’s instruction for ratio . Once buds begin to form , stop fertilizing altogether to slim stem growth and give more DOE to flowering , and do not feed again until blooming has break off .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
Since Thanksgiving cactus is a tropic native , temperature and humidity play an dynamic role in keeping it intelligent . Most homes are not humid enough to please this plant , soincrease the humidity around the houseplantby using a way humidifier , placing it on a shallow tray of pebble fulfil with water , or misting it on a regular basis . 50 percent humidness or higher is ideal for Thanksgiving cactus .
An ideal indoor temperature mountain range is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit . For the best blossoming conditions , Thanksgiving cactus plants should have dark temperatures of 55 to 65 academic degree during their foresighted - Nox period of time in fall . Thanksgiving cactus can be restrain outside once the daytime temperature rise above 70 level . They thrive as outside plants in areas with warm , humid summers and are frequently moved deep down as houseplants when temperature start out to dip .
Propagating Thanksgiving Cactus
Thanksgiving cactus generation is not unmanageable . The primary method for propagating the industrial plant is from cutting . The procedure is relatively elementary .
Avoid repotting Thanksgiving cactus cuttings too shortly ; they can take a few workweek to root .
How to Get Thanksgiving Cactus to Bloom
To advance the Thanksgiving cactus to rebloom each year , the plant requires simulated sleeping . This means either a period of consistently coolheaded temperature and evening light deprivation over a period of about 8 workweek . To coax Thanksgiving cactus blooms in time for Thanksgiving , count back 8 weeks from the desired bloom time . At least one of these circumstance must be met for coax the Thanksgiving cactus to blossom again :
Once the Thanksgiving cactus begins to set bud , it can be moved to an surface area with brighter luminousness .
Safety Considerations
According to theASPCA , plant in theSchlumbergeragenus are nontoxic to humans , Caterpillar , dogs , and horse . However , it ’s always a good idea to use caution around pets and masses when fertilizing or spraying Thanksgiving cactus for cuss . apply gloves while fertilizing and apply any kind of pesticide or insect powder , even a homemade one . Always get rid of plant from the abode when use spray pesticide or insecticides , and do so in a well - ventilated area where the plant can be give to dry totally before bringing it back inside .
Potential Pests and Diseases
The most coarse among potential Thanksgiving cactus problem leave from overwatering , which can cause the otherwise emerald stems to twist a pale yellowness . asunder from that , they are susceptible to many common insects set up on house plants , let in aphids , mites , mealybugs , shell , fungus gnat , and thrip .
Penn State Extensionhas identified several fungal and viral diseases that affectSchlumbergeraplants . These admit botrytis blight , basal stem rot , impatiens necrotic topographic point virus ( INSV ) , pythium root rot , and genus Phytophthora root guff . These can be avoided with proper lachrymation , a mellow - calibre potting mix with dear drain , and a suitable potbelly . The full plenty for succulents always let in plenty of drain .
FAQ About Thanksgiving Cactus Care
A holiday cactus brings a welcome volley of colour during the coolheaded month of the year , and Thanksgiving cactus care is surprisingly easy . Learn even more about Thanksgiving cactus by show the response to these frequently involve questions .
Q. Is Thanksgiving cactus poisonous to cats, dogs, or other common house pets?
No . Thanksgiving cactus is classified as atoxic by the ASPCA .
Q. Where should I place a holiday cactus in my house?
Place it in smart , collateral visible light . For many home , an east - face window that gets some morn luminousness is o.k. , as is a northerly - facing window where no direct sunlight get in . The plant eff humidity , so if there ’s a humid position , like a toilet , that also has the right brightness , it ’s ideal .
Q. What are the differences between the Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus?
Although close tie in , these holiday plants have some key difference . One of the easiest ways to differentiate them apart is by the stem turn , also called phylloclade . Thanksgiving cactus ( genus Schlumbergera truncata ) , which is sometimes called claw cactus , has guide , somewhat pincer - like , border on the stem sections . Christmas cactus ( Schlumbergeraxbuckleyi ) can look quite similar , but its stem edge are more scalloped . Easter cactus ( Schlumbergera gaertneri ) has the most rounded parting of the three .
Another primal indicator is when they bloom . Thanksgiving cacti run to bloom between September and November , count on when their sleeping period of time began . Christmas cacti bloom a little later , typically from October to December . Easter cacti bloom between February and April .
Q. What is the lifespan of a Thanksgiving cactus?
If cared for properly , Thanksgiving cactus can last up to 100 class or longer , often being propagated and passed down from generation to multiplication .
Q. What should I do with a Thanksgiving cactus after it blooms?
Once the Thanksgiving cactus has bloomed , you’re able to prune it back within a month to thrust bushy growth , cutting or whirl between theme segment . Keep it in burnished , collateral lighter with regular water supply and fertilize it as usual until the bud have set again the next class .
Q. How do I pick out a cactus ready for bloom?
expect for a Thanksgiving cactus that has plenty of tight bud all over and just a few open blooms . Once transport home and give warmth , light , and humidness , it will quick burst into long - lasting blooms .
expect for more wintertime - flower plant to clear up your home over the holidays ? Check out our guides on care formoth orchid , Christmas star , andpeace lily .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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We ’ll help you arrange up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a put up seam , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the right plants for your soil and part .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
