Thanksgiving cactus is a very pop blooming plant around the holidays , and it ’s easy to care for than you might think .
With brilliant indirect light , fast - enfeeble soil , and consistent tearing , you’re able to enjoy your Thanksgiving cactus class - rotund , and get plenty of beautiful bloom in November .
In this post , I ’ll give you all of the details about Schlumbergera truncata care , and also manoeuver you through pruning , fertilizing , and propagating . Plus I ’ll give you tips for treating common pests and diseases , troubleshooting problems , and do your FAQ .
Pink and white Thanksgiving cactus flowers
see how to wish for your Thanksgiving cactus the ripe way , so you could enjoy the beautiful heyday for decades to come .
mesa of Contents
Thanksgiving Cactus Quick Care Overview
What Is A Thanksgiving Cactus?
Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) , aka November cactus , is just onetype of holiday cactus . Despite their name , they ’re really a succulent native to tropic forest in Brazil , often found in tree or on rock-and-roll .
Since they ’re epiphytic plant likeorchidsorbromeliads , they get their nutrients and moisture from the air and the surfaces they attach to , rather than depending on soil .
Their long curve offset are made up of segment , leaf - similar pads . Each pad has edges that are toothed , or claw - like , giving them one of their vernacular names , “ crab cactus ” .
If yours has smooth leave-taking instead , then it ’s aChristmas cactus , and here ’s how to care for it .
A mature specimen can originate between 12 - 24 ” magniloquent , and they can live in pots or garden for decades give the right care .
Related Post : How To like For A Holiday Cactus Plus Growing Tips
Flowers & Bloom Time
Thanksgiving cactus is a popular industrial plant to grow during the vacation because it shows off its gorgeous flowers when most others are done for the twelvemonth .
In fact , that ’s how they make their other common names “ Thanksgiving ” or “ November ” cactus , because of the timing of the blossom .
During the late fall , tubelike prime with beautiful pass around petal open up at the end of the offshoot .
Depending on the variety , they come in a range of colour include pink , magenta , red , orange , xanthous , white , or even bi - coloured .
And by fall out a few easy step , you may wedge your Thanksgiving cactus rebloom againyear after year .
How To Grow A Thanksgiving Cactus
Choosing a good fleck is the first step to keep your Thanksgiving cactus growing for years . They call for well - draining dirt and bright , collateral light indoors , or fond shade open .
Allow the soil to dry slenderly between lacrimation , and keep it wry in wintertime . Feed on a regular basis with a flowering fertilizer during raise time of year .
Then give them a cool relief period and darkness in the late summertime or early fall for the best holiday blooms .
Hardiness
Schlumbergera truncata is a tender perennial that ’s hardy in zones 9 - 11 , where they can grow outside year round .
If you go in a cooler climate , they can be hold open as houseplants , or winter indoors when temperatures get down to drop to below 50 ° fluorine at night .
Where To Grow Thanksgiving Cacti
Thanksgiving Day cacti grow well in unaccented or fond nuance outdoors , or indoors in a seat where they get promising , indirect sun .
They can expand in containers both in the business firm and exterior , which makes them easier to move deep down during freezing temperatures .
The arching segmented branches make them democratic for cling planters and handbasket .
For warmer climate , they can live in the ground in your garden , or even on the branches of a tree or mounted on a board or lumber .
Thanksgiving Cactus Plant Care Instructions
With your idealistic growing placement ready to go , it ’s time to learn about how to like for your Thanksgiving cactus so you’re able to enjoy the blooms every year .
Sunlight
In their aboriginal habitat , Schlumbergera truncatas grow under the canopy of trees . So , outdoors keep them in a dappled or partially shaded area .
Indoors , give them a stain that gets shining , collateral luminance for part of the day , but keep them protect from the spicy afternoon rays .
Too much direct vulnerability can induce the leaves to blush , shrivel , or get sunburned .
When drop arrives , they need between 12 to 16 time of day of darkness to constitute blossom bud , then 8 to 10 hours of sunlight to bloom .
Water
Thanksgiving cacti have median water needs and do n’t wish to dry out , but are susceptible to root rot from overwatering . They get wet from the melody , pelting , and the surfaces they sit on .
So keep the soil evenly moist without pool the area near the roots . When the top inch has dried out , moisten it thoroughly , but not to the point where it becomes soggy .
The heat during the summertime can dry them out faster , so you may need to increase how often you piddle . If you shinny to get it right , asoil moisture gaugeis a great putz to have .
get word all about when and how to water your Thanksgiving cactus here .
Humidity
Since they take in wet from the air , humidness is important for them to thrive . Outdoors this is n’t unremarkably a job . But if your indoor air is dry , you ’ll postulate to examine to increase it .
A body of water - filled pebble tray under the pot , daily misting , or running ahumidifiernearby are all bully choices . Too much water supply sitting on the leaves can cause rot however , so mist lightly .
Temperature
Another braggart factor in successful Thanksgiving cactus care is temperature , and they can be very finical about this – specially during blooming .
They favour moderate temperatures at all times . Freezing conditions will down them , while extreme heat can cause them to wilt , shrivel , burn , or drop their flowers and bud .
In the fall , they need cooler weather between 50 - 60 ° F at Nox in monastic order to form blossom bud . Once the buds appear , more or less warmer day temporary worker in the 60 - 70 ° F range are ideal for blooming .
Fertilizer
Using a load , natural liquified plant food twice a calendar month during the Schlumbergera truncata growing season ( springtime and summer ) can boost more flowers .
you could apply ageneral purpose type , acompost tea , or use one that is specificallyfor flowering plants .
Stop fertilise when they begin blooming in the fall , and hold off until you see fresh increment get again in the bound .
Soil
They are n’t extremely fussy about the type of dirt . But a slightly acidulent , porous mix that ’s rich in constitutive matter is ideal .
I wish to use a highquality potting soilamended withperlite , andsandorbark . But asucculent mixturewill work great too .
Since they ’re epiphytes , they do n’t actually require soil at all . you’re able to climb them to a board or log usingsphagnum moss . Just keep in mind this will take more misting and watering , specially indoors .
Repotting
Your crab cactus will in reality bloom well when potful - restrict . They have shallow roots , and do n’t requirerepottingvery often .
So , as tempting as that cunning fresh plantation owner is , it ’s better to redeem repotting only for when they absolutely need it .
The signs they call for to be moved into a new pot are when they block put on new growth , or when there are less flower than previous years .
Pruning
Though not required , rationalise your Thanksgiving cactus is a great way to promote bushier growth and more flowers .
It ’s undecomposed to do this in the bound , after they ’re done bloom and the branch are grow again .
habituate sharp , sterilepruning shearsto snippet between folio section . Or you could simply twist them off gently .
Two new offset will form from those spots , and the snip can be saved for propagating into fresh plants .
Related Post : What To Do With Thanksgiving Cactus After Blooming ( 5 Tips ! )
Pest Control Tips
Thanksgiving cacti are generally free of most pests , but they can occasionally get infested with mealybugs or wanderer mites .
A homemade spray made with 1 teaspoon ofmild liquid soapper liter of water is a extremely effective path to treat them . Or you may grease one’s palms a premadeinsecticidal soap .
you could brush or rub the bugs off off with a cotton fiber swab rob inrubbing alcoholto get a head jump . Neem oilalso works keen .
Dormancy
In order for those stunning blooms to show up at the right time in November , they require a brief period of fond quiescence .
protrude in late summer or early fall , reduce lachrymation , and move it to a cool place away from warmer vents . They need 12 - 16 hours of full darkness a daylight for 6 - 8 weeks in gild to form bud .
When you see the bloom bud beginning to seem , return to your regular lacrimation agenda , and give it stack of burnished , indirect light during the day .
ensure to protect it from the heating system and direct sunlight , or the buds could start shake off . Also , once it begins blooming , do n’t move it again until it ’s done , or the flowers may drop off .
Schlumbergera truncata Propagation Tips
Multiplying your Thanksgiving cactus is actually really prosperous , and can be done every year during the springtime .
Simply rick off a salubrious leg 3 to 5 segments long , and let it to callous over for a twenty-four hour period or two . Or prove using a unmarried leaf .
Then dust them with rooting hormone and bury the bottom segment halfway down into a tight - drain grime mixture .
station them in a tender , bright location , and keep them evenly moist until you see new growing on top .
Related Post : Propagating Christmas Cactus From Cuttings Or By Division
Troubleshooting Thanksgiving Cactus Problems
Troubleshooting common growing problems is a key part of Thanksgiving cactus tending . Here are my solutions to some of the consequence you may face .
Limp Or Droopy Leaves
Leaves that are limp , mushy , or drooping are often have by overwatering . verify the soil is moist , but not to the point of puddling , and never depart the radical or potbelly in sit urine .
However , wilt could also be a sign they are n’t getting enough moisture . So check out the soil , and add water if it ’s altogether dried out . It ’s best to practice amoisture meterto be intimate for sure .
Flower Buds Dropping
There are a few intellect why a Thanksgiving cactus will start expend its flower bud . Too in high spirits of temperature , letting the filth dry out , overwatering , or not providing enough light can all be causes .
assure the temperature last out below 70 ° F during bloom . Also keep the grease equally moist , and haze over it to increase humidness .
Although they require elongated geological period of darkness to trigger flower formation , they need 8 to 10 hours of bright , indirect ignitor during the day as well .
Thanksgiving Cactus Not Blooming
High temperature or too much light can forbid your genus Schlumbergera truncata from bloom . They need cool nights of 50 - 65 ° F to trigger bud formation , and 12 - 16 time of day of utter darkness .
If you ’ve recently repotted it , that may be the cause it ’s not flowering . They prefer to be pot - restrain , and it could take a year or so for them to return to a steady blooming docket .
Recently propagated immature industrial plant can also take a few years to flower .
Leaves & Segments Dropping
Overwatering or utmost temperatures can cause the leafage and segments to drop off of your crab cactus .
Do n’t let the soil get sodden with weewee , and keep them out of freeze or very hot temperatures .
Root or stem rot could also be the culprit , so check that to check the stand of the root . If it ’s soft or schmaltzy , then it ’s best to take healthy cuttings and take root them to preserve your plant life .
Thanksgiving cactus blooming in spring
When a Thanksgiving cactus bloom of youth in the spring rather than in November , it mean the timing of their cool inactive period wrong .
It ’s very important to give them a period of partial darkness and coolheaded temps in the drop , and timing is everything .
To get it right , start out shorten how much you water , and give them long nights in complete darkness in early fall . Ensure it stays above freezing , but below 65 ° F to trigger flower formation at the perfect time .
Thanksgiving Cactus Care FAQs
How fast does a Thanksgiving cactus grow?
A Thanksgiving cactus can develop very fast . With the right care , they can gain their full size of 24 ” in just a few age .
If yours is experiencing very dumb increment , it may be time to repot it , or try fertilizing in the natural spring and summertime .
Are Thanksgiving cactus indoor or outdoor plants?
Thanksgiving cactus can be either indoor or outdoor plants , look on where you survive . They ’re normally kept as houseplant in regions that experience freezing temperatures during the winter .
They can be move out of doors in the spring and summer when nighttime temp are above 50 ° fluorine . Gardeners in zone 9 - 11 can leave them outside all year .
Should I mist my Thanksgiving cactus?
You should becloud your Thanksgiving cactus if your home has very wry air . They get out moisture from the air , so humidness is important . But to invalidate rot , do n’t have weewee sit on the farewell for long periods after misting .
How often should I water my Thanksgiving cactus?
You should water your Thanksgiving cactus only often enough to keep the territory equally moist . Do n’t let it dry out out too much , or you may see shriveling or wilting leafage section . But stave off getting it so wet that there is stand water , or the etymon may rot .
How much light does a Thanksgiving cactus need?
A Thanksgiving cactus need 8 to 10 hours of indirect , brilliant light per sidereal day , with 12 - 16 minute of utter wickedness in early fall to trigger florescence . Outdoors they do best in partially shaded or mottled sunlight areas .
learn about Thanksgiving cactus care is important to ensure you could enjoy the beautiful , colorful salad days every year . Once you get the hang of it , you ’ll be able to develop your Schlumbergera truncata for 10 to come .
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