Summary
Thanksgiving cacti ’s prime come in colors ranging from pinkish to purple to Red River and can assist contribute color and animation into your home plate , just as many out-of-door plants are done flowering for the class . unluckily , an otherwisehealthy Thanksgiving cactusoften does n’t bloom come late fall as expected . If your cactus is n’t bloom , the solution could be as uncomplicated as change the temperature or amount of spark you give it . Discover how to properly care for your Thanksgiving cactus so its unique flush bring colour and life to the vacation time of year !
1It’s Not a Thanksgiving Cactus
Different holiday cacti bloom at different times of the year
Thanksgiving , Christmas , andEaster cactiare closely related and are often all sold under the name Christmas cactus . The industrial plant bloom at different fourth dimension of year , so if your cactus is n’t blooming when you expected , it may be another character of cactus . A careful look at the industrial plant ’s efflorescence and stem segments can help determine what kind of holiday cactus you have . The Thanksgiving cactus is often holler a " pubic louse cactus , " and the Cancer the Crab - nipper - like human body of its stem segments is the easy way of life to enjoin it asunder from its relatives .
carry blossom time
Flower shape
Stem segment shape
Thanksgiving cactus(Schlumbergera truncata )
November
heyday havebilateral symmetryand are defy horizontally withyellow pollen
Pointed orclaw - shaped segments
Christmas cactus(Schlumbergera x buckleyi )
December or January
prime cling down and havepink pollen
Scalloped orteardrop - shaped segment
Easter cactus(Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri )
March , April , or May
peak haveradial symmetryand astarburst embodiment
brush up segmentswith little bristle on the edges
If you discover that your " Thanksgiving cactus " is more accurately aChristmas cactusor Easter cactus , that ’s hunky-dory . You still have blossom to look fore to ; you ’ll just have to wait a bit longer . The three plants have extremelysimilar care needsand can all produce colorful and intricate flowers .
2Your Thanksgiving Cactus Needs Longer Nights
13 or more hours of darkness will help your Thanksgiving cactus bloom
Like the other holiday cacti , the Thanksgiving cactus is ashort - daytime plantandneeds regular periods of iniquity to organize bud . If your cactus is n’t blooming or spring buds , it may need more dark . Thanksgiving cacti need at least13 hours of dark every night for about eight weeks before flower . If you want to have flush for Thanksgiving , begin have your cactus 13 hours or more of darkness every night start in late September .
You may need to useblackout curtains or put your cactus in a closetto ensure it is n’t getting too much light .
3It Needs More Light
Days of bright but indirect light help Thanksgiving cacti form buds
As crucial as long and dark nights are , Thanksgiving cacti also need sufficient ignitor during the day . blessing cacti thrive withbright but collateral sun , so anorthern , easterly , or western - facing windowis well . But make trusted your Thanksgiving cactus does n’t get more than 10 or 11 60 minutes of igniter in 24 hr for the two months before you require it to bloom .
4Your Thanksgiving Cactus Isn’t Cool Enough
High temperatures can result in a Thanksgiving cactus that won’t bloom
Long nights are n’t the only thing a Thanksgiving cactus needs to advance blossom ; cool temperature are also essential . Temperatures between 55 and 65 grade Fahrenheit prompt Thanksgiving cacti to set buds . set off give away your cactus to these cool temperatures about eight hebdomad before you want it to flower .
While your Thanksgiving cactus can live outside during the summertime , check that it is not exposed to direct sunlight and bring it in before the frost .
5It’s Stressed Out
A Thanksgiving cactus that drops buds may be stressed
Stressors That Can Cause Dropped Buds
If your Thanksgiving cactus make bud but then suddenly begins to drop them instead of efflorescence , that could be a sign the plant is experience some form of stress .
Do n’t draw a blank to protect your cactus from frigid temperatures in the car while bring it home from the nursery or garden center .
6You Need to Fertilize It
The right fertilizer leads to better Thanksgiving cactus blooms
The Thanksgiving cactus benefits from beingfertilized every two to four week during the declension . TheUniversity of Minnesota Extensionrecommends using afertilizer with grim atomic number 7 and higher amounts of phosphorus and K to encourage blossom . Once the cactus starts flower , stop fertilization .
When you begin to see new growth in the late winter or early spring , fertilize your cactus with a balanced half - strength plant food monthly .
Fertilizer label list nitrogen ( N ) first , then phosphorus ( P ) , and then potassium or potassium hydroxide ( K ) . Nitrogen loosely encourages the growth of unripened parts of plants , and phosphorus boost flowering and bloom .
7You’re Watering It Incorrectly
Thanksgiving cacti need regular watering to thrive
Despite being true cacti , Thanksgiving cacti and other holiday cacti are actuallynative to the rainforests of South America and need more water than other cacti . Do n’t let your Thanksgiving cactus dry out out completely between lachrymation . rather , irrigate it when the top in to 2 inches of filth are dry . you could water your cactus more or less less , reserve the soil to dry out out between lachrymation after the flora is done blooming for the year . Resume regular tearing once the cactus starts to put on new increase again in the give .
Unlike many other types of cacti , theThanksgiving cactus flourish in high-pitched humidness . The average humidness in its native climate generally rate from 65 to 90 percent . If your dwelling ’s humidity is too depleted , you’re able to fog your Thanksgiving cactus or put it next to a dish of water so the evaporation keeps the humidity high .
Some people prefer to develop their Thanksgiving cactus in their bathroom to take advantage of the high humidness . Just check that you ’re also gather your cacti ’s temperature and lighting needs .
Ideal Soil Mix for a Thanksgiving Cactus
The right soil commixture can help meet the cactus ' demand for dampish but not waterlogged soil .
Cacti , including the Thanksgiving cactus , favor slightlyacidic ground with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0.Most cactus soil mixes will have this range . Add sulfur to turn down the pH or slaked lime to raise the soil pH if necessary . examine your grime first to see if these amendment are required .
The Right Thanksgiving Cactus Care Leads to Beautiful Holiday Blooms
A Thanksgiving cactus blooms for four to six weeks with the right lighting , temperature , and other conditions . These entrancing plants can add pursuit and gloss to homes in the late fall and early winter . They are also easy topropagate and make idealistic vacation gift . It does n’t take much to assist your cactus bloom all season long , and if you ’re favorable , it may evenbloom again in late winter or early bounce !
