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This Christmas Cactus is Really a Thanksgiving Cactus!!

By Judith Parker

Real Estate Agent with ProStead Realty

November 11, 2013 08:36 AM

This Christmas Cactus is really a Thanksgiving Cactus!!

I have been seeing many buds coming out on our so called Christmas Cactus and this week is has really begun to bloom.

Christmas Cactus

I did a little research tonight and discovered a few interesting points about this cactus.

" It actually inhabits the tree tops of southern Brazil, sharing its space with orchids and bromeliads."

"This group of flowering cacti was originally hybridized by William Buckley in Rio de Janeiro about 1840. The genus was named after a Belgian horticulturist, Frederick Schlumberger. Schlumbergera are hybrids and have slightly different blooming times. If a particular plant blooms in November, it’s a ‘Thanksgiving’ cactus. If it blooms around the end of the year, it becomes a ‘Christmas’ cactus, even though it is not the true Christmas cactus."

-U of A Division of Agriculture

Thus, since ours is blooming in November it is a Thanksgiving cactus.

These are so easy to care for. I leave it outside on our patio all spring and summer and bring in inside in the fall and this is the result. I am so grateful.

This Christmas cactus is really a Thanksgiving cactus!!

Judith Parker, CRS, GRI, CMRS

ProStead Realty

www.charlottepremierhomesforsale.com

www.judithparker.com

judithparker10@gmail.com

704-241-8830

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Kerry L Klun, Broker/Owner

Palm Realty - Melbourne, FL

321-626-5868

Judith, I've seen these cacti before and never knew what they were called! I certainly have never seen one that flowered, very pretty!

Nov 11, 2013 09:11 AM

Judith Parker

ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC

CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Kerry, it did this last year after I brought it in from outside. Thank you and it is really pretty right now.

Nov 11, 2013 09:16 AM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Judith, how great is that to have some early blooms! I have one sitting on my back patio but no signs of buds yet. My Christ,as cactus maybe an Easter cactus! :-)

Nov 11, 2013 10:02 AM

Janis Borgueta

Newburgh, NY

Retired RE Salesperson

Always a fan of flowers in twitter. The name matters less than the joy they bring

Nov 11, 2013 10:44 AM

Sussie Sutton

David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX

David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I am going to see if I can't incorporate a cactus plant into my table center piece.

Nov 11, 2013 10:49 AM

Charles Stallions

Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL

850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

They are certain pretty regardless of what we call them, thanks for the info and best of luck to you

Nov 11, 2013 11:22 AM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

That's pretty cool Judith. I've never been a huge fan of plants/flowers etc., but I am starting to learn and appreciate them more.

Nov 11, 2013 10:53 PM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Judith ....I did not know this ....I will have Aimee go buy one this week ...Thanks!

Have a great night in NC!

Nov 12, 2013 07:50 AM

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Great picture and a nice looking plant you have. You know you can force them to bloom anytime of the year. The blooms are triggered by the lack of lighting. That's why they bloom this time of the year. You can put the plant in a closed up area for at least four weeks. Don't worry, it can go without water this long, but you can open the cabinet occassionally to give it some water. That should trigger the blooms...even in June.

Nov 12, 2013 09:02 AM

Hi Silvia, give it time. It will bloom. They are so pretty when all in bloom. We have two plants and the other is much smaller. Enjoy!

Nov 14, 2013 10:24 AM

Kwee Huset

Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL

Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Judith, your Thanksgiving Cactus looks beautiful. I am with Silvia, my is near the pool area and no bud yet.

Nov 17, 2013 10:48 AM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Judith,

Ours is also blooming and has been for weeks! Ours is white and I love it!!

Nov 20, 2013 10:51 AM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Judith, Several years ago I gave a friend a Christmas cactus and she said she couldn't grow a thing. Every year she takes photos of it and it is covered in beautiful blooms. It is not quite as large as yours, yet.

Nov 20, 2013 11:54 AM

Bette Gottwald

UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA

"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

Judith, your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous! Mine also blossoms around Easter, which I understand is due to lack of light.

Nov 20, 2013 12:28 PM

Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ

HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I'd probably "kill" it and I live in Arizona where Cactus are a plenty! These are so pretty. Thanks for sharing the details, coincidentally from Tucson, U of A!

Nov 20, 2013 12:36 PM

Dagny Eason

Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT

Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Judith - My Christmas Cactus always flowered at Thanksgiving, too.....

Nov 20, 2013 09:17 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for the interesting Christmas cactus details. A nice plant to have at this time of the year.

Nov 20, 2013 10:49 PM

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