Christmas Cactus
The Enigmatic Christmas Cactus: History, Care and Propagation
The Christmas cactus, with its vibrant and delicate blooms, has captured the hearts of many during the holiday season. Yet, beyond its charming appearance lies a mysterious history, filled with heartwarming tales of its origin. This popular houseplant has intrigued botanists and garden enthusiasts for generations, with its origins shrouded in folklore and religion.
This family of "holiday cacti" includes the Thanksgiving Cactus, Easter Cactus, and Christmas Cactus belong to the Schlumbergera family and are epiphytes. These three plants share a striking resemblance, but their leaves' shapes differ, providing a means of identification.
The Thanksgiving Cactus has pointed and claw-shaped projections, the Christmas Cactus has scalloped or tear-drop-shaped projections, and the Easter Cactus boasts rounded edges. However, the easiest way to distinguish them is by their blooming times. The care for all three holiday cacti is quite similar, and with proper attention, they can live for a very long time. Here are some essential tips for keeping your Christmas cactus healthy and vibrant:
Care for a Long and Happy Life
Avoid Frequent Repotting: Christmas cacti tend to thrive when they are "pot bound." Therefore, it's best not to repot them too frequently. A well-established root system often leads to more abundant and spectacular blooms.
Provide Adequate Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity, so if your indoor environment is dry, consider placing a tray of pebbles or positioning your cactus near other plants to increase moisture levels.
Indirect Sunlight: While Christmas cacti require bright light, direct sunlight can harm them. Place your plant in an area with bright, indirect sunlight to ensure it thrives.
Water with Care: Unlike typical cacti, Christmas cacti have different watering needs due to their tropical origin. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, but avoid letting the plant sit in water, as it can lead to root rot.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Christmas cacti are native to the Brazilian rainforest and are epiphytic or lithophytic, growing on moss-covered trees or in rock crevices. To mimic their natural habitat, use regular potting soil, provide diffused light, let the soil dry out between waterings, and maintain temperatures between 70°F and 80°F during the growing season.
Fertilization: Use a liquid cactus fertilizer or Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed during the growing season at full strength and reduce it to half strength during the winter months. This will help your cactus thrive and produce beautiful blooms.
Once buds set: the cactus needs 55°F to 65°F and 13 hours of darkness every night for the blooms to open.
Propagation
If you're eager to share the beauty of your Christmas cactus with others or want to help your original plant grow fuller, propagation is the way to go. The best time to propagate a Christmas cactus is one to two months after it finishes blooming. Avoid doing so in the fall, as it sets its buds and actively flowers. Propagation is best achieved through stem cuttings, both large and small, which stimulate fuller growth and more impressive blooms in the future.
A Tale of Origin
There are numerous stories surrounding the origins of the Christmas cactus, each adding to its aura of mystique. One such tale suggests that the Christmas cactus hails from Bolivia, while another attributes its birthplace to Brazil. These accounts are often rooted in religion, connecting the plant to the spirit of Christmas.
One particularly touching story recounts the journey of Father Jose, a Jesuit missionary in Bolivia. Struggling to gain the trust of the natives and teach them the Bible, he prayed for guidance on Christmas Eve. As he prayed, he heard the villagers singing a hymn he had taught them. Turning, he witnessed the village children marching into the church, carrying armfuls of vibrant flowers they had gathered for the Christ Child. These flowers, as the story goes, became known as the Christmas cactus.
In another tale, a young boy prayed for relief from the stifling jungle heat and humidity. On Christmas Day, when he emerged from his hut, he was astonished to find the jungle transformed, adorned with flowering cacti that had seemingly appeared overnight.
The true origin of the Christmas cactus may forever remain a mystery.