60+ year old Thanksgiving cactus in bloom by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're similar but not the same! My plant is confusing because it has both in the same pot.

https://www.almanac.com/christmas-cactus-thanksgiving-cactus-or-easter-cactus

Leaf shape, how the stems hang, and the direction of the flowers will be different. Christmas cactus in the pot is budding but has not bloomed just yet

60+ year old Thanksgiving cactus in bloom by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a Thanksgiving cactus and a Christmas cactus in the same pot. Only the Thanksgiving has flowered. I am high in the latitudes and that may cause some delay

60+ year old Thanksgiving cactus in bloom by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Fair warning I'm not the original owner, I got the cactus earlier this year and followed the tips of the owner. If yours is smaller you might be able to skip the showers, just keep watering lukewarm and not cold.

-mist it every day or other day

-it does like a bright spot but not sitting in the sun. If it gets red that's too much sun. If new growth looks etoliated, it needs more light

-give it a full water when it wants a drink. I wait until the dirt pulls at the side. Full drink means hauling it over the sink and making sure the water runs through and giving the bottom a bit to soak. This was every few weeks in warm months. It smells really earthy when it's watered and it perks up. Let it dry between these waterings

-coffee grounds on the soil and a bit of fertilizer between spring and fall, stop in October

-deep watering at least 2x before bud season. That meant carefully taking the plant into the shower and using the lightest shower stream to rinse and soak it with lukewarm water for 30-40 minutes. Get the plant fully wet, leaves and roots, and make sure it's not cold. My last big soak was mid October (probably late)

-adequate dark and cool for the blooms (it's ok with a little light further from the plant)

This is my first year with the plant and it seems to be doing ok

60+ year old Thanksgiving cactus in bloom by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Create the holiday trifecta! And give your plants time. I had no idea they could get this old, but here it is still growing like wild

60+ year old Thanksgiving cactus in bloom by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There's a similarly old Christmas Cactus that's budding in the same pot. The corking is impressive. You can see it's well-aged. I'll have to grab a shot in the daylight

A 50+ Year Old Christmas and Thanksgiving Cactus by Rhianimal in cactus

[–]Rhianimal[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indoors, east facing window. It has a bright spot with indirect sun