Christmas cactus

Schlumbergera, usually known as Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus, grow in tropical  south-eastern Brazil. The stems look like jointed flattened leaves and the flowers arise from the tips and joints of the stems.

In the wild, Schlumbergera grow on trees or rocks and develop into shrubs which can reach 1.2 metres in height. If the flowers are fertilised, small fruits may form.                                                     

        In Brazil, the cactus is called the Flor de Maio, the May flower.  Care should be taken when moving a plant in bud, as the buds may drop off.

The flowers may be red, white, orange, yellow, pink or purple. There are new cultivars that combine two or three colours on one plant.

Schlumbergera 'Branca Dobrada' has double white flowers. The plant also bears single white flowers at the same time.

Schlumbergera plants are tropical plants and prefer to be kept  in temperatures above 10˚C. They dislike waterlogged soil.