Ever heard of Schlumbergera bridgesii? Sounds like a Scandinavian cell phone company to me. How about Zygocactus truncatus? No? Each are the botanical names for two popular holiday plants that are very similar upon first glance. The Christmas cactus and the Thanksgiving cactus, respectively.

Both look almost identical. In fact, they are cousins in the cactus family. Both are native to the rain forest of South America. Both bloom when the days get shorter, just like poinsettias.

How do you know if you have a Christmas cactus or Thanksgiving cactus? The name gives away one hint. The Thanksgiving cactus blooms in late October until November about a month earlier than its cousin.

The easiest way to distinguish the two is by looking at the leaves. A Christmas cactus has scalloped edges on the leaves. Thanksgiving cactus has two spines or teeth on the tips of each leaf.

Blooms on each look quite similar. In fact, in the nursery trade, both are sold as Christmas cactus many times. I guess the name is more catchy. So, don’t be surprised if your Christmas cactus is really a Thanksgiving cactus.

Regardless of which one you have or if you have both, the care is similar.

As with most blooming plants that are brought into the home, they will hold their flowers longer in cooler temperatures. These cacti are no exception. Avoid keeping the plant in a drafty area, near a heater vent, or fireplace. The plant also needs to be placed in a well lit area.

Pay careful attention when watering your holiday cactus. Being a tropical plant, they are not quite as drought tolerant as the name may suggest. At the same time, the plant is a succulent and stores water in its leaves.

When the top half of the potting soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to water your plant. Make sure that all excess water drains away from the pot. The next time the upper portion of the soil dries, it will be time to water again.

It’s hard to predict just how often you’ll need to water. Every environment is unique. Temperature, air circulation, heat, relative humidity and light all play into the picture as with any indoor plant.

After the cactus is finished blooming, it will need some pruning. This will encourage the plant to branch out. By cutting with a sharp knife or pinching with your fingers, remove the top few sections of each branch for propagation.

Rooting is relatively easy. Place the trimmings in a sterile potting medium. Keep the cuttings in an evenly moist, warm location with indirect light until they form roots. By this time next year they should be blooming and just in time for gift giving.

During winter, keep the plant indoors in a sunny location. In summer, move the plants outdoors in a shady or semi-shady spot. Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorching that may harm the plant. In the fall, bring the plants back indoors.

During the growing period, fertilize the plant every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer. At the end of August, greatly reducing the amount of water and fertilizer will encourage the branches to become loaded with buds. After the buds develop further, decrease water and temperature and cease fertilizing.

There are a couple of ways to encourage your cactus to bloom again next year. Long uninterrupted periods of darkness will do the trick. In mid-October begin treatments for full bloom during the holidays.

An easier way to encourage flowering is to subject the plants to cool night temperatures of between 50 and 55 Fahrenheit. This happens naturally in the fall here in the Miss-Lou (usually). Beginning the cool treatments by early November will insure that the plants bloom for the holidays.

No matter which cactus you have, both are great indoor plants for the holidays and are one of the easier plants to rebloom next year. Either plant makes great gifts for the holidays. Perhaps you will be the only person that can tell the difference.

E-mail Traci at

ratmaier@bellsouth.net

.