Christmas Cactus
11/19/2016 20:34
Christmas cacti are spectacular holiday plants with their lush pendulous flowers in an astonishing array of colors. Actually the term "Christmas cactus" is broadly used to identify two holiday cacti which bloom during the holiday season. The most common is Schlumbergera truncata which is the Thanksgiving cactus. This is often confused with Schlumbergera bridgesii which is the true Christmas cactus.This plant is not often seen in stores because its blooms come in a little too late for good Christmas sales.
The Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera bridgesii, blooms later and has smooth stem segments that are smaller and scalloped along the edges. Its growth habit tends to be more pendulous or drooping.
The Thanks giving cactus, Schlumbergera truncata sometimes known as Zygocactus, or claw cactus blooms several weeks before the Christmas cactus. It has stem segments with strongly toothed or pointed edges that make them appear claw like. This cactus also appears to grow a little more upright.