- The Christmas cactus blooms in many different colors
- Popular varieties of the Christmas cactus
- This will prevent the flowers from falling off
- What to do if the Christmas cactus does not bloom
The fact that the Christmas cactus is so popular is not only due to its flowering at Christmas time. The different leaf shapes and above all the many colors in which the flowers appear make it a decorative houseplant.
Depending on the variety, the Christmas cactus can bloom red, white, yellow, pink and even orange
The Christmas cactus blooms in many different colors
The most common are Christmas cacti, which have bright red flowers. However, the palette of colors goes much further. Depending on the variety, the flowers are
- Red
- pink
- orange
- White
- yellow
Two-tone varieties are also commercially available. The later flower color can almost always be seen on the bud.
Incidentally, the varieties differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in the shape of the flowers and leaf segments. The flowers vary in length and width depending on the variety. The leaves can be rounded, oblong or oval.
Popular varieties of the Christmas cactus
There are a total of six different types of Christmas cactus that flower in different colours:
- Schlumbergera kautskyi
- Schlumbergera microsphaerica
- Schlumbergera opuntioides
- Schlumbergera orssichiana
- Schlumbergera russelliana
- Schlumbergera trunctata
Some of these species are extremely rare and critically endangered. Hybrids that have been bred from the various species are almost exclusively offered for indoor cultivation.
This will prevent the flowers from falling off
No matter which variety and which flower color you cultivate - Christmas cacti are a bit tricky. The flowers often fall off before they shine in their beautiful colors.
The reason for this is usually that the pot with the Christmas cactus was moved and rotated. The flowers always align themselves with the light, especially at the beginning. If the location of the light source changes, the flowers turn and fall off. That's why you shouldn't move a Christmas cactus just before it blooms.
What to do if the Christmas cactus does not bloom
If the Christmas cactus doesn't bloom at all, it hasn't had a rest period after flowering. During this time it should be kept cooler and darker for a few months.
The three-month dark phase ensures that the Christmas cactus shines in its most beautiful colors.
tips
The flowering period of the Christmas cactus starts in November and lasts until January. It can last up to six weeks. There are some species that even produce a second flower.