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Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera)
Name - The genus Schlumbergera, pronounced SHLOOM-berg-er-a, is named
after Frederick Schlumbergera, a Belgian horticulturist in around 1900. Also sometimes
called claw cactus. Related to and similar in habit to Easter cactus, Rhipsalidopsis.
Description - Spineless cactus formed of flattened fleshy segments
in arching stems. Flowers appear in winter from the ends of a segment. In the
wild, many are ephiphytic (perching on trees but not taking sustenance from their
host).
Origin - Brazilian rainforests
Family - Cactaceae
Colours - Bright pink, red, orange or white.
Care Tips
- One of the jungle or rainforest cacti, which, unlike desert cacti, like to be
sprayed occasionally, preferably with soft water, or it will mark the leaves.
Thrives in indirect light but flowering may be inhibited if light levels are too
high. Give a cool, fairly dry rest period after flowering. After that feed with
half strength liquid feed from spring to late summer. Do not move plant once buds
have formed or these may fall off.
Trivia - In the wild Schlumbergera
are pollinated by hummingbirds.
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