What is a Christmas Cactus?
The Christmas cactus is an epiphytic cactus that is native to Brazil. It is a popular houseplant that has jointed flat segments and rose purple flowers, which bloom in winter. In the wild, Christmas cacti can be found growing in the forks of tree limbs, where they feed off the decayed leaves. The correct botanical name for Christmas cacti is Schlumbergera. It is a hybrid of the Schlumbergera truncata and Schlumbergera russelliana. This type of cactus has been a holiday houseplant since the 1800s. It is a tropical cactus plant that requires care that is completely different than that of a regular cactus. Christmas cacti are given their name because, when properly cared for, they are in full bloom during the holiday months. During the fall months, maintaining the correct temperature is crucial. It is important to keep the temperature in the house around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Keep the Christmas cactus away from heat vents and doors that open to the outside of the hou
Long known as a good plant to pass down among family members, Christmas cacti are cherished because they bloom in the winter months and can be coaxed to flower more if the owner desires. Cheryl Young, a clerk at Flowers By Louise in Palmer, said letting the plant dry out then applying water will cause the cactus to bloom. Also, it’s imperative to keep the cactus in a cool location. Jeff Lowenfels, an Anchorage horticultural expert and author, said blooms on Christmas cacti are induced by temperature and day length, so they bloom the same time every year. “They can live forever,” Lowenfels said. That’s one aspect that makes the Christmas cactus in this story so special. Not only is it old, it was lost to the family then, amazingly found again. Holler said the plant started out as a gift in the family, eventually ending up with her grandmother, Vivian Teeland, a storekeep prior to statehood. Teeland gave the cactus as a present to her hairdresser at Hairport, a salon off the Parks Highwa
