What is the difference between Christmas cactus and Easter cactus?

The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped. The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii) has very rounded edges which are centralized on the leaf. All of these three cacti are known as short day plants.

Is a Christmas cactus the same as an Easter cactus?

Differences Between Holiday Cactus

As already mentioned, the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus have differing leaves but the same flowers. Easter cacti, however, have smoother leaf edges with no notches, and need a much longer cool and low light period to form flowers.

Whats the difference between Christmas cactus Thanksgiving cactus and Easter cactus?

Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) has pointy projections on the sides of the leaves, like crab claws. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesti) has scalloped or teardrop-shaped projections on the leaves. Easter cactus (Schlumbergera gaertnerrii) has leaves with round edges.

Can an Easter cactus bloom at Christmas?

Christmas cactus blooms around the winter holidays. The Easter cactus plant blooms late winter to early spring. Both types have flattened stems, called segments, which are lightly serrated on the edges.

How can you tell if its an Easter cactus?

4 Rhipsalidopsis | Easter Cactus

Look for flat, rectangular leaves (“clades”) with slightly scalloped edges, and round, upward-facing flowers.

What Kind of Soil Should I Use to Grow a Christmas Cactus?

What are the 3 types of Christmas cactus?

Holiday Cactus Varieties: What Are The Different Types Of Holiday Cactus. The three common holiday cacti, named for the time of year the blooms appear, include Thanksgiving cactus, Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. All three are easy to grow and have similar growth habits and care requirements.

Do I have a Christmas or Easter cactus?

The Christmas cactus (Schlumgera bridgesti) has leaf projections which are more scalloped or tear drop shaped. The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertnerrii) has very rounded edges which are centralized on the leaf. All of these three cacti are known as short day plants.

What colors do Easter cactus come in?

The Easter cactus is a perfect choice if you want to add a little color to your home or garden, especially around the Easter holiday when this tropical cactus is known for its gorgeous and prolific star-shaped blooms. This native to Brazilian rainforests has flowers that range from white to red to purple.

How often should I water my Easter cactus?

Water them anywhere from every 3-6 weeks depending on the temps, the mix it's in & the size & type of pot it's planted in. You want to keep the temps between 50 & 65 degrees F. 50-55 degrees is best at night. If your temps are warmer, they'll require a longer period of darkness.

What is the difference between Easter and Christmas?

Christmas, he said, is a holiday of light and joy, while Easter evokes the darkness of Jesus tomb and his battle with Satan. “To get down to it, the birth of Christ is the beginning of hope, but Jesus is not a threat right then,” he said.

When should I put my Easter cactus in the dark?

How to Get Your Easter Cactus to Bloom. Your Easter cactus need equal amounts of dark and light for eight weeks prior to their spring blooming season. At night, aim for cooler and drier conditions, ideally around 50˚F. And while these plants like the warmth, don't place your potted cactus near any direct heat source.

How do you take care of a Easter cactus?

Care and Feeding: Easter cactus will thrive in bright, indirect light (sun or shade) and to get it to bloom on cue, put it in a spot where daytime and night temperatures fluctuate by as much as 20 degrees. Water it when the soil feels dry to the touch and give it a balanced fertilizer twice a month.

What is special about Christmas cacti?

The Christmas cactus is a very popular houseplant—and for good reason! When they bloom, they produce colorful, tubular flowers in pink or lilac colors. Their beautiful flowers, long bloom time, and easy care requirements make them a wonderful plant.

Why is my Easter cactus drooping?

Too little water is the primary cause of Easter cactus shriveling up and wrinkling. This plant needs moderate water for much of the year. For the best results, follow these watering guidelines: In spring, allow soil to dry out for a month after flowers have faded.

How do I get my Easter cactus to rebloom?

What triggers a Christmas cactus to bloom?

They prefer bright, indirect light. Full sun can cause the leaf segments to turn dark red as the plants begin to burn. The “trick” to getting Christmas cactus to bloom in the following years after purchase comes down to two things: light and temperature. These two are the keys to the flower kingdom.

Should I water my Christmas cactus from the top or bottom?

Water the Christmas Cactus from the bottom so the water can get down to the plant's roots. Keep pouring water into the soil until water is dripping through the holes in the bottom of the pot. This soaks the soil. Once the soil is completely soaked, make sure that there's no standing water underneath the pot.

How do I know what kind of cactus I have?

You can find out by looking at their leaves. Spines on a leaf will be needle-like and sharp, while non-spiny types have soft edges. Some other helpful clues about your cacti plant would be the color and shape of its leaves.

What is a Christmas cactus look like?

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)

Leaves: The leaves of the Christmas cactus have a more rounded, scalloped edge. The tip of each segment is slightly curved but they can look almost straight across. Flowers: The flowers of the Christmas cactus are usually pink or white and bloom in December.

How do you propagate Easter cactus?

To propagate your Easter Cactus, in Summer you can cut off part of one of the stems with 2 or 3 "segments" attached. Wait a day or so for the cut to dry a little before inserting the lower segment a few centimeters / half an inch into a pot with compost.

Is a Spring Cactus the same as a Easter cactus?

The cheery Easter Cactus, or Spring Cactus as it's commonly known these days, is sold in bloom throughout March and April. That bloom can extend well into May depending on the conditions your plant is growing in.

What is the difference between false Christmas cactus and Christmas cactus?

The true Christmas cactus will have stems that dramatically arch downwards with a closed habit. The margins of the stems will be rounded with small visible points or nubs. True Christmas cactus flowers will be more rounded than the imposter and will follow the direction of the stem and point down.

How long will Christmas cactus live?

The Christmas cactus is everywhere during the holiday season, with good reason. It's a blooming succulent that is easy to care for, has gorgeous blooms, and when properly tended can live up to 100 years! That's right!