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There is a difference between a Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus!

By Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

November 04, 2014 08:37 PM

I was surprised to find my Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) blooming this past weekend! But the weather is cooler and they thrive and bloom when it’s cooler.

In case you didn’t know there is a difference between the Thanksgiving cactus and the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii). The difference lies in the shape of the stem segments! The flattened stem segments are called phylloclades. The stem segments on the Thanksgiving cactus each have 2-4 saw-toothed serrations. They are rounded on the Christmas cactus.

Since the Thanksgiving cactus likes cooler temperatures I’m optimistic about keeping it blooming for the next 7-8 weeks. It’s beginning to feel like the holidays!

P.S. If having a new home is on your Christmas list, just call Dorie Dillard. Whether you need to buy or sell a NW Austin area home, I can help!

I am a recognized professional in NW Austin real estate. I’m a good listener and act, not react to your needs. I have systems in place, references at hand and proven solutions to getting your home sold. Let’s schedule a time to see if we are a good match. Let me put my expertise to work for you..reach out to me at 512-346-1799 or email at dillard@reloaustin.com for a free market evaluation.

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Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX

Selling Homes Changing Lives

I love the fact that Mother Nature gives us two choices; one for Thanksgiving and the other for Christmas. They are such a beautiful plant and a great gift to give during this time of the year too!

Nov 05, 2014 12:05 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Belinda Spillman

Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

Very pretty. I hope it keeps blooming through the season.

Nov 05, 2014 12:27 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Ginny Gorman

RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI

Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Always something to learn, DOrie...thank you for sharing this!

Nov 05, 2014 01:35 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Dorie, who knew?? Not me! However, ANYTIME one of my cacti bloom I am thrilled. I sometimes forget to give the one upstairs water, so better go do that right now!

Nov 05, 2014 01:42 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dorie, I was reading Barbara Todaro's re-blog of your post, and how for 25 years she thought she had a Christmas Cactus up until she read this blog. So you helped to clear up a 25 year old mystery of why her cactus was blooming every year at Thanksgiving in stead of Christmas :)

Nov 05, 2014 02:42 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi R & A: I never knew there were two different varieties!

Hi Sharon: Yes it is!

Hi Joanna: I love them all year long too!

Hi Patricia: Mother Nature has so many tricks up her sleeve.

Hi Belinda: It usually does every year!

Hi Ginny: My pleasure!

Hi Gayle: It might be blooming who knows!

Hi George: The mystery is solved!

Nov 05, 2014 03:12 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Dorie: I was unaware there were two types of this cacti...now I do. My learning here in the Rain continues!

Nov 05, 2014 07:21 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Marco Giancola

Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL

Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Ms. Dorie Dillard you made this up!!! LOL, I have never in all my plant growin days have heard of a Thanksgiving cactus!

Nov 05, 2014 07:39 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening Dorie. Although I purchased my cactus last Christmas, it is ready to start blooming soon. I thought it had to do with the light.

Nov 05, 2014 07:49 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Anita: I never knew there were 2 types!

Hi Marco..Google it Marco..there is!

Hi Michael: I thought it was my green thumb!

Nov 05, 2014 08:05 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for the Thanksgiving cactus and the Christmas Cactus lesson.

Today, our minds were on chrysanthemums. Dolores and I went to the Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens.

Nov 05, 2014 09:21 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Roy: Good thing to have your minds on! Glad you enjoyed the Festival!

Nov 05, 2014 10:33 AM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Dortie -- I love Thanksgiving... so I won't be looking for anything Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.

Nov 05, 2014 11:27 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Dorie I had no idea, clearly we only had two cool days in the past sixty.... and now we are back with a heat wave...I wonder what that would do to the Thanksgiving Cactus?:) Endre

Nov 05, 2014 01:45 PM

Potranco Realty

Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX

"Sold with Potranco Realty"

Good morning Dorie, I didn't know the difference between Thanksgiving and Christmas Cactus thanks for sharing. Have a beautiful dry Thursday.

Nov 05, 2014 07:03 PM

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Dorie. Thank you the learning you shared this morning. No wonder all our plants are in bloom right now.

Nov 05, 2014 07:38 PM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Dorie, thank you for helping with my ignorance as I didn't even know about either variety of Cactus. (Are there any Easter cacti or is it cactuses?)

Nov 05, 2014 07:38 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Joan: Good than are you going to get a Thanksgiving Cactus?

Hi Endre: Let it have some natural sunlight!

Hi Bob: Thank you! I think the rain has stopped!

Hi Gabe: Believe it or not there is an Easter Cactus!

Nov 05, 2014 08:01 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

We always had a Christmas Cactus when I was growing up--at least I think that's what it was.

Nov 06, 2014 04:39 AM

Sussie Sutton

David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX

David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I came over from Barbara's post about yours. I did not know there were two types of these cactus'. Like Barbara I thought they were all Christmas cactus'.

Nov 08, 2014 12:57 AM

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