Content
- How Many Types Does the Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus) Include
- The six natural species of Schlumbergera
- Growth as epiphytes
- Care of the Schlumbergera as a houseplant
- After the flower development no artificial light anymore
- Tips
The Schlumbergera Truncata is only one of six Schlumbergera species.
How Many Types Does the Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus) Include
Most plant lovers know Schlumbergera as Christmas Cactus. The cactus owes this name to the fact that it bears many flowers just at Christmas. There are not many species of Schlumbergera that occur naturally.
The six natural species of Schlumbergera
There are only six naturally occurring species of Schlumbergera:
In addition, a number of varieties that were bred as hybrids.
Growth as epiphytes
Some species of Schlumbergera grow as epiphytes on other plants. However, they do not extract any nutrients from the host plants, but supply themselves with rain and dew.
Other species belong to the subsiding Schlumbergera, such as the species Russelliana or Truncata.
Care of the Schlumbergera as a houseplant
The Schlumbergera has begun her triumphal procession as a houseplant, because her beautiful mostly red, sometimes white flowers just appear at Christmas time. The care in the house requires a bit of tact, especially if the Christmas cactus is to bloom longer than one season.
He 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 abundant in the summer without waterlogging being allowed. In order for the Schlumbergera developed flowers, it is slightly cooler in winter at 10 to 15 degrees. The casting quantities are now significantly reduced. Sometimes you can even achieve a second flowering if you water the Schlumbergera only a few weeks after the first flowering.
After the flower development no artificial light anymore
A special feature of the Schlumbergera is that it needs short periods of daylight when it has developed flowers. Once blooms show, place them in a room where no additional light is turned on. If you do not have such a space 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 cactus species such as Rhipsalis, Hatiora and Lepismium. It owes its botanical name to the French collector of cacti, Frédéric Schlumberger.