We have an enchanting little plant that sits on our kitchen counter. This plant has many common names, such as Thanksgiving cactus, crab cactus, Easter cactus, and holiday cactus, but is most known as the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera). This delightful plant is currently blossoming with spectacularly bright-red tubular flowers that hang delicately from small and strong succulent branches.
This joyful little plant appears to be taking on the presence of another family member in our cozy home. It seems to be always watching our activities around kitchen, now coming to life with a splash of color to help us celebrate the winter holidays. Our day in this kitchen is spent baking, cooking, visiting with friends, some holiday decorating and always some festive music in the background… so our little cactus seems to also be partaking in the joy of these moments. I imagine that it also appreciates the tender loving care I give it each day, my way of appreciating the beauty it brings to this home.
The Christmas Cactus is originally from Brazil and typically grows in the rain forests on rocks or trees that are shaded with high humidity conditions. However, they can also thrive locally if you create a similar environment in your home. You can plant the cactus in soil that is rich in humus for root growth, noting that it will become slightly pot bound and hold it in place. It also does well if the soil remains somewhat moist - not wet and definitely not too dry. The cactus will respond well to indirect light.
Many people receive this plant as a gift around the holidays, not knowing how to best care for the plant. You can contact UC Cooperative Extensions for information on how to encourage plant bloom for next season. (707-784-1322 or our email hotline: mgsolano@ucdavis.edu. ). I found a few posted responses to public questions about the natural habitat of the plant, noting that unlike North America, the temperatures in the plant's natural environment are pretty steady and do not fluctuate more than around 30º throughout the year. The plant in Brazil typically blooms close to the end of the rainy season on a pretty consistent basis.
Since our local climate can widely fluctuate compared Brazil's narrow variations of heat, we must play some tricks on the plant to get it to bloom. To encourage the plant to dazzle us with its stunning flowers, we must trigger it into dormancy. The UC Cooperative Extensions suggest that, at the beginning of September, we should provide the plant with at least 13 hours per day of darkness. Locate the plant in a relatively cool area (50º to 60º F) for around 6 to 8 weeks. You can cover the plant with a blanket or box, or place it in a closet for darkness. Once the 6-8 weeks is complete, set the plant free in a location with in indirect light and you will soon enjoy some wonderful holiday blossoms!
Cheers!