cactus?

Question

Can someone tell me what kind of cactus this is? Someone gave it to me, about 6 months ago & I've had it on my back deck until a few weeks ago when it started turning cool, so I brought it indoors & put it on the dining room table & it started
 to blown before Halloween! {never heard of a Halloween cactus!!}but figured someone on 'Hometalk' could tell me what kind it is. Thanks

Terri J · Answer

Gloria, I don't know my cactus that well, but it sort of reminds me of what is called a 'Christmas Cactus' judging from what I can see of it's stems. That being said, I have never seen one bloom in white - always red. First time for everything, and weather conditions can make these little babies bloom anytime of year. Hope that at least gave you a start in finding out what it is...

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

Terri, you are right, it is a Christmas Cacti. They actually have all sorts of colors from white, fuchsia, peach, orange and red. They are a fun house plant that is easy to propagate and share with friends. Here is a great publication from Perdue U on how to take care of them http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/cactusFAQs.html

Gail Salminen · Answer

We call it a Christmas cactus in this area, but have also seen it called an Easter cactus. Find it blooms when it is a little abused - i.e. not regular watering. Mine blooms a few times a year, because i am remiss in watering LOL

Mary Insana · Answer

I love Christmas cactus but find thats one plant that does not like living with me! I have had numerous ones and always seem to kill them :( All my other plants thrive, in fact I have a corn plant that I bought when we moved into our house 21 years ago that now touches the ceiling.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Since prematurity seems to be synonymous with Christmas these days, it seems not a bit surprising that a 'Christmas' cactus should also bloom for Halloween.

Gloria S · Answer

Thanks to all for answering my post. now that u mention it, my red one is blooming also. I  even have my azaleas blooming now, & they are suppose to bloom in the spring!! guess this crazy weather even has Mother nature confused!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

The trigger for most of these 'blooms' are due to 'photo period' this is the biological term for the length of the day. http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Photoperiodism.topicArticleId-23791,articleId-23717.html

Bobbye Wendt · Answer

It is a Chrsitmas Cactus blooms at Christmas time. Its a Schlumbergera or Zygocactus. Origin :Brazil

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I had to chuckle at the names, I also know it as Christmas Cactus, but when it was called a Halloween Cactus, I lost it. Reason being we just noticed in our town that the stores already are placing Christmas decorations up and one local place already has trees brought in. So I guess the plants are starting early for the holidays as well. My wife has a few of these and they appear to be blooming early this year also. Perhaps the cooler weather, or sunlight issue with all the cloudy days we have been having.

Pat aka Queen of Thrift · Answer

I have a white one (Christmas Cactus) that if full of buds. It was given to me when my mother passed away 14 years ago. I have two that are shades of bright pink/orange. I leave mine out on the porch until right before frost. The long cool nights cause them to set buds. I also fertilize them all during the year with Schultz Cactus plus liquid plant food according to package directions. I repotted them a couple of years ago using cactus soil. Mine stay healthier if I leave them outside as long as possible. They don't seem to like a nice, cozy room. The cooler the better. Mine always bloom before or during Thanksgiving. After they finish blooming, I carry them to the garage to join my other outdoor plants. I have a spot near the garage window that they enjoy during the winter. I water occasionally...just enough that they don't dry out completely.

Di S · Answer

it is a christmas cactus

Rocky Mountain WaterScape · Answer

It is a Christmas cactus. But in Colorado, as soon as we bring ours in after the weather starts to cool off in the fall. They begin to bloom and bloom on and off all through the winter way past Easter. They do't ever seem to bloom when they are outside in the warmer months.

Sharon B · Answer

I have three of them and love them, old too....white, pink and white and red. Gee I have to ck mine now to c if any blooms, it blooms when it wants to.......usually at Halloween but have not seen anything yet....have to ck.. and blooms on an off soon, will take pics

Olwen · Answer

i agree that it's a kind of Christmas cactus. i love the white blooms

The Houseplant Guru (Lisa Eldred Steinkopf) · Answer

Hi Gloria, I just joined hometalk and found your post. It actually is a Thanksgiving cactus, and you can tell this by the jagged edges on the stem segments. Christmas cactus have rounded edges on the segments, and are hard to find anymore. Check out my blogpost about these plants here: http://www.houseplantguru.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-real-thing.html

Alyce Wilson · Answer

Alyce in Iowa- I'm sure its a Christmas cactus. They come in yellow, peach, bright pink, light pink, and white that I know of. Its beautiful and enjoy it. It must of got to much of sun to force it to bloom now.

Susan Ziegler · Answer

Here is part of Donna's referral website.
Christmas cacti have scalloped stem segments and bloom at the stem tips. Thanksgiving cacti have 2-4 pointy teeth along the edges of the sections and will bloom earlier than Christmas cactus if left to natural day-length. Easter cacti have rounded teeth along the segments and bloom primarily in the spring but may also periodically re-bloom at other times of year.

Joann Jarvis · Answer

Mine are just like tha white Christmas cactus.

Donna · Answer

Your lovely cactus 🌵 is definitely a Christmas cactus dear. Speaking of which, it is nearly Christmas, so I would like to wish you a and yours

a MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄 Love!!

Jo · Answer

I call it a “holiday” cactus because this one blooms a lot. I have the same one. It blooms in Oct-Dec, and in spring.

Dee · Answer

Definitely a Christmas Cactus that is blooming early Lucky you.

Susan · Answer

There are some that are Christmas Cactus, Easter and Thanksgiving . That’s due to when they bloom. I have one that half blooms in spring and the other half blooms in the fall! I am training one to look like a tree. The blooms are so pretty and this plant is hardy.

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