- The six natural species of Schlumbergera
- growth as epiphytes
- Caring for the Schlumbergera as a houseplant
- After flowering, no more artificial light
Schlumbergera is known to most plant lovers as the Christmas Cactus. The cactus owes its name to the fact that it has many flowers, especially at Christmas. There are not many species of Schlumbergera that occur naturally.
The Schlumbergera Truncata is just one of six Schlumbergera species.
The six natural species of Schlumbergera
There are only six naturally occurring species of Schlumbergera:
- Schlumbergera kautskyi
- Schlumbergera microsphaerica
- Schlumbergera opuntioides
- Schlumbergera orssichiana
- Schlumbergera russelliana
- Schlumbergera truncata
There are also a number of varieties that were bred as hybrids.
growth as epiphytes
Some species of Schlumbergera grow as epiphytes on other plants. In doing so, however, they do not withdraw any nutrients from the host plants, but instead take care of themselves through rain and dew.
Other species belong to the soil-growing Schlumbergera such as the species russelliana or truncata.
Caring for the Schlumbergera as a houseplant
The Schlumbergera has started its triumph as a houseplant because its beautiful mostly red, occasionally white flowers appear just at Christmas time. Caring for it indoors requires a bit of finesse, especially if you want the Christmas cactus to bloom for more than one season.
It appreciates a bright location, but does not like direct sunlight in summer. You are welcome to put it outside as long as the temperatures are high enough.
Watering is done plentifully in summer without waterlogging. In order for the Schlumbergera to develop flowers, it is placed a little cooler in winter at 10 to 15 degrees. The casting quantities are now significantly reduced. Sometimes even a second bloom can be achieved if you water the Schlumbergera sparingly for several weeks after the first bloom.
After flowering, no more artificial light
A special feature of the Schlumbergera is that it requires short periods of daylight once it has developed flowers. As soon as flowers begin to appear, place them in a room where no additional light is switched on. If you do not have such a place available, cover the plant with a dark hood as soon as you illuminate the room with artificial light.
tips
The Schlumbergera is closely related to other types of cacti such as Rhipsalis, Hatiora and Lepismium. It owes its botanical name to the French cactus collector, Frédéric Schlumberger.