Schlumbergera sp. (Orchid Cactus)
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Botanical name: Schlumbergera sp.
Common names: Orchid Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus, Easter Cactus, Crab Cactus
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Brazil
They are epiphytic cactus, with flattened, leaf looking stems. Many hybrids are available around Christmas, sold as Christmas cactus. The original hybrids had cherry red flowers. Nowadays, many colors are available. They bloom when the day starts shortening. In order to get blossoms around Christmas, put them in a cool place where they will get at least 12 to 14 hours of darkness a day. Schlumbergera are epiphytic cacti and should be grown in containers. The soil should stay always moist, although they will need less water when not in bloom. Use a soil mix that is light and drains easily. They need bright indirect light. Species: buckleyi, exotica, kautskyi, microsphaerica, microsphaerica, opuntioides, orssichiana, reginae, russelliana, truncata and many cultivars.
You could call varieties with extended flowering period (like Schlumbergera × New Deal) a long-blooming holiday cactus or a Thanksgiving-to-Easter cactus, since it often flowers first around Thanksgiving and Christmas, then produces a second flush closer to Easter.
Similar plants: Schlumbergera sp. (Orchid Cactus)
Spectacular, large-flower variety that flowers twice a season, 'New Deal' is a remarkable "Christmas cactus" hybrid, completely lost to the trade today, which is being offered here for the first time after it was originally offered for purchase at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden over 80 years ago. That institution was having a special rare plant sale on the day of the famous presidential election on November 8, 1932, when F.D.R. was historically voted in as the next American president. Not only is New Deal an exceptionally obscure, heirloom cultivar especially easy to grow under average house plant conditions, it reliably produces almost an overabundance of brilliant violet-pink and white flowers which are easily an inch larger than any other variety. The plants we are offering are all 3rd generation vegetative propagation from an original specimen (still alive btw). Its name is identical to President Franklin D. Roosevel main campaign slogan.
You could call Schlumbergera New Deal a long-blooming holiday cactus or a Thanksgiving-to-Easter cactus, since it often flowers first around Thanksgiving and Christmas, then produces a second flush closer to Easter.
See Article about this plant.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster