Content
- Christmas cactus and Easter cactus - the same plant?
- Is the flowering time a sure differentiator?
- How do I differentiate the Easter cactus from the Christmas cactus?
- Distinguishing features in link cactuses:
- Tips
Especially the heyday distinguishes the Easter cactus from the Christmas cactus
Christmas cactus and Easter cactus - the same plant?
Often the Easter cactus is confused with the similar-looking Christmas cactus. However, these are two different plants that are only distantly related. With the celebrations, to which they owe their names, the link cacti have nothing to do.
Is the flowering time a sure differentiator?
Although a distinguishing feature of these cacti is the flowering season, it is quite unreliable. In principle, the Christmas cactus blooms in the winter, at about Christmas time and the Easter cactus in the spring, about Easter, as the names suggest. However, some plants are blooming "out of time" or even twice a year.
In addition, you can definitely influence the flowering time, namely by temperature and light. Without hibernation your Easter cactus will not bloom. It needs at least four weeks with low light and a temperature of about 12 ° C to 15 ° C. If you change the time or duration of this hibernation, then you also influence the flowering time.
How do I differentiate the Easter cactus from the Christmas cactus?
Safe distinguishing criteria are the flower shape and the leaf or limb form. The flowers of the Easter cactus are star-shaped, while the Christmas cactus is elongated, with petals in several "floors". These flowers can be up to seven inches long, depending on the species. Incidentally, the Easter cactus does not tolerate change of location during flowering. Wait until the flowering is over.
The cactus limbs (you may also call them leaves) of the two plants have a different shape. While the leaves of the Christmas cactus are jagged, the Easter cactus has relatively smooth roundish to ovoid limbs, which may be a little wavy but never jagged.
If the leaves have a slightly reddish hue, then your plant will probably get too much sun. Put your Easter cactus in a shadier place otherwise it may soon lose its leaves.
Distinguishing features in link cactuses:
Tips
Whether you call a Christmas or Easter cactus your own, both species are very decorative and flowering, as well as easy to maintain.