This fleshy and hanging jungle cactus is native to the humid areas of Brazil. However, today this schlumbergera has spread throughout the world as the best choice to decorate our houses this Easter.
The fundamental difference that characterizes each of the varieties of this family is the size and shape of its leaves and the color and structure of its flowers. In this case, the zygocactus gaertneri presents pink and red flowers with two bell-shaped bodies and very pointed petals and characteristically fleshy leaves.
Family: CactaceaeSubfamily: CactoideaeGenus: SchlumbergeraSpecies: S. gaertneri
Synonyms
Epiphyllum gaertneri.Epiphyllum makoyanum PynaertEpiphyllum russellianum var. gaertneri RegelHatiora gaertneriRhipsalidopsis gaertneriRhipsalidopsis gaertneri var. tiburtiiRhipsalis gaertneri
This Christmas cactus can survive long seasons without watering, so it is ideal if you consider yourself a person with little experience in caring for these types of plants.
However, whether you are an expert or a novice, these plants are the perfect succulents to grow inside our homes, given their beauty, their impressive and imposing presence and easy handling. They will also be the perfect Easter decoration these holidays.
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| source photo: Pinterest |
Easter cactus flower
After ripening, if you have taken good care of the plant; In winter, this plant will generate incredible red or pink bell-shaped flowers very intense. These flowers are born at the terminal end of their leaves or sections, and cover almost the entire plant.
Normally the schlumbergera gaertneri blooms at Easter. That is why it is called Easter cactus. If you take care of the plant correctly you will have an excellent Easter decoration for these holidays.
Easter Cactus Care Guide
Light:
Average lighting; avoid giving it both deep shade and direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Deep shade will result in little growth and limited or no flowers.
The Easter Cactus isn't a desert cactus though so direct sunlight must be avoided. Too much sunlight will cause reddish hues on the leaves.
Watering:
Like all cacti they can store water inside their thick fleshy leaves and live off this during droughts. However if you allow the soil to dry out completely for too long expect a strop as the plant will start shedding its leaf segments. Aim for constantly moist rather than wet soil and water with tepid rather than cold water.
READ ALSO Holiday Cactus How to Grow and Care...
Humidity:
Sitting the pot in a pebble tray or misting the leaves a few times a month is recommended if the plant has been positioned in a dry environment (their natural habitat are shady, dank and moisture filled forests).
Feeding:
Feed during the growing season about once a month, an all purpose houseplant fertilizer will be fine.
Temperature:
The average temperatures in most homes is perfect for the Easter Cactus. The plant needs to rest from October until early the following year, and this should take place in a slightly cooler, 7 ° C - 15 ° C / 45 ° F - 59 ° F room. An unheated room would be the typical choice.
Repotting
It grows slowly and therefore takes a while to become pot bound. Repot after flowering in Early Summer if needed, but you probably won't have to do it more than once every few years
Easter Cactus Problems
Leaves have red edges / entire segments have gone red
The plant has been exposed to direct sunlight.
Holes in the leaves
Caused by Slugs or Snails! during the plants summer holiday outside.
Easter Cactus not flowering at Easter / Whitsun
Easter and Whitsun change dates every year so it's incredibly tricky to achieve blooms at very specific times each and every year. Consequently if you must have them in flower at this time you may want to consider buying new plants in bud.
No flowers on my Easter Cactus
See the flowering section above for the secret. Some years however, the Easter Cactus will just not want to flower even if conditions have been identical to previous years. Other causes may be that the plant is too old or the soil is depleted of nutrients. Repot / fertilise or propagate to create new plants.
Bud drop / bud blast
The plant may give up on its flowering attempt if it has run out of water (or had too much), remember to keep the soil moist. Once the buds have formed you need to move it to its display location where it can remain until flowering has finished. If you move it around in the late stage of the bud formation they can drop off.
Anything else?When you put the plant outside for the Summer, ensure you protect against slugs and snails, which will take random bites out of the segments.
