Christmas Cactus Vs. Zygocactus
Telling the difference between a Christmas cactus and a zygocactus can be tricky. This is when trying to identify holiday cacti. After all, they both feature festive flowers around the same winter season. But a closer look reveals notable differences.
While the Christmas cactus has a signature smooth, flattened stem with rounded scallops, the zygocactus’s form is more angular, with sharply ribbed segments. Beyond physical features, bloom time is a key separator: Christmas cactus needs shortening fall/winter days to flower, while zygocactus obliges by blossoming in spring.
Understanding these contrasts allows proper identification and care. Read on to discover more distinguishing traits between these charming holiday plants, along with cultivation insights tailored to each unique species!
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Appearance
At first glance, the Christmas cactus and zygocactus can seem nearly identical – they both have vibrant holiday blooms and flat, segmented stems. But a closer inspection reveals notable differences in their anatomy that you can use to tell them apart.
Let’s start with the signature segments that make up each plant’s pads. Christmas cactus has smooth, flattened sections with rounded, scalloped edges – I like to think they look like cute little fans or half-circles stuck together in a chain. The segments might also have subtle sawtooth edges.
By contrast, zygocactus stems have sharply triangular chunks that meet at distinct vertices like gemstones in a necklace. They also feature bold, raised ridges; some compare these almost brain-like or coral-like patterns to a human cerebellum!
| Christmas cactus Stem | Zygocactus Stem |
|---|---|
| Rounded, flattened Scalloped edges Scalloped edges saw tooth edge | – Sharply angled – Distinct ribs and ridges – Brain-like pattern |
Beyond the signature stems, zygocactus branches and leaves tend to grow in a straighter, more upright fashion compared to the arching, hanging nature of Christmas cactus. Also, inspect the spines – zygocactus features small fuzzy hairs in place of sharper spines.
While telling these holiday lookalikes apart can seem tricky at first, paying attention to subtle but distinct characteristics like segment shape, ridges, and spine patterns makes identification much clearer!
Blooming Time
As the name suggests, the Christmas cactus makes its stunning scarlet, pink, peach, white, or purple flowers just in time for the peak holiday season – November through January in its native Southern Brazil habitat.
What triggers this timely winter blooming spectacle? Shorter daylight hours. As days become dramatically shorter in fall heading into winter, the Christmas cactus receives its cue from light levels to send up buds. Essentially, you need long nights to coax out those splendid flowers.
By contrast, the lovely zygocactus doesn’t get its common name – Easter cactus – for nothing! It revels in showing off its vibrant spring blossoms with tube-shaped flowers in shades of fuchsia, scarlet, orange, peach, and even warm yellows.
| Christmas Cactus Bloom Timeframe | Zygocactus Bloom Timeframe |
|---|---|
| -Late fall-early winter -Blooms, according to Short day lengths -Night length triggers flowering | -Spring -Long days trigger blooms 8-10 hrs light needed -Warm temps accelerate flowering |
Rather than short, chilly fall days, zygocactus needs warmth coupled with long daylight hours for vibrant flowering. Its origins in the Brazilian rainforest prime it perfectly for spring revelry!
While day length triggers blooming, both holiday cacti need 50-60°F night temps for flower bud formation.
So, in summary – look to the calendar and the thermometer for more clues! Christmas cacti parties in winter under short, dark days, while zygocactus prances merrily into spring when sunny days grow longer.
Relation to Other Holiday Cacti
By now, we’ve explored major differences between the Christmas cactus and its lookalike cousin, the zygocactus, when it comes to appearance and flowering times. But where does that pretty purple holiday cactus your grandma passes down each year fit into the picture alongside other Thanksgiving and Easter cacti varieties?
It helps to think of these charming holiday plants in terms of their family tree relationships:
| Thanksgiving Cactus | Christmas Cactus | More Closely Related | Easter Cactus (Zygocactus) |
Thanksgiving cactus and Christmas cactus belong to the Schlumbergera genus and are more closely related to each other. Meanwhile, the Easter cactus connects to the Rhipsalidopsis group along with its lookalike zygocactus.
Still, while the Thanksgiving cactus does flower in late fall like its Christmas cousin, it diverges with different physical traits like more claw-like, prominently toothed segments. And we have already learned how the Easter cactus, aka zygocactus, contrasts starkly with the Christmas cactus in structure and flowering season.
So, in the end, while holiday cacti may seem like one big happy family, distinguishing features abound between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter varieties – not to mention their lookalike cousins! Understanding these bonds, along with unique traits, allows for proper identification and care.
Care and Cultivation
Now that you can ID key differences between Christmas cactus and its cousins like Thanksgiving cactus and zygocactus let’s explore actually cultivating these holiday charmers!
While specific needs vary slightly between varieties, you’ll be off to a good start by focusing on a few core elements:
Light & Location
Bright but indirect light keeps holiday cacti happy! Aim for 4-6 hrs daily
East, west, or gently shaded south windows are perfect spots
Ideal Temperatures
Enjoy average indoor living spaces.
Prefer cool nights from 50-60°F for blooms
Water & Humidity
Allow soil to dry between watering.
Increase humidity to 40-50%
Thwart bud drop with consistent moistureNutrition & Growth
Nutrition & Growth
Feed monthly during growth with a balanced fertilizer
Encourage bushy shape by pruning after flowering
Soil Preparation
Fast-draining potting mix prevents rot
Add sand, peat moss, or perlite for drainage
While most general care applies across varieties, zygocactus naturally appreciates more consistent humidity compared to Christmas cactus. Tailoring potting mix specifically to improve drainage prevents potential issues with rot.
Propagation
Did you know Christmas cactus and zygocactus require different approaches to propagation? Their unique traits mean that taking cuttings from momma plants or planting seeds isn’t the same.
Let’s explore tips tailored to multiplying each holiday variety.
Propagating Christmas Cactus
Good news – Christmas cactus propagates readily from cuttings! Here’s how:
- Select a healthy parent plant
- Use a clean, sharp knife or shears
- Cut 4-6″ segments with at least 2 sets of nodes
- Allow cuts to be callous for several days
- Plant calloused ends in well-draining soil
- Water sparingly until new growth appears
Keeping temperatures slightly cooler, around 60-65°F, helps root formation. You’ll soon have sweet mini Christmas cactus clones!
Propagating Zygocactus
Zygocactus doesn’t grow as easily from cuttings. You’ll have better luck encouraging babies by seed.
Allow pollinated flower hips to form
Collect and clean plump seed pods
Sow seeds in a loose growing medium
Maintain warm temperature of 75-80° F
Water carefully to avoid fungus
Transplant seedlings when 2-3 true leaves appear
Patience pays off! You will get many valuable baby zygocactus plants in a year or two.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your holiday cactus has buds falling off or strange spots on its stems, don’t worry. We have solutions for these common problems.
Arm yourself to address issues quickly and correctly. Accurately identifying your Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter cactus means more tailored troubleshooting.
Here are some top pitfalls and fixes:
Dropping Buds
Possible Causes:
- Inconsistent watering
- Temp swings above 80°F
- Lack of bright, indirect light
Solutions:
- Keep soil evenly moist
- Provide 4-6 hours of filtered sun daily
- Move plant away from hot drafts
Rotting Stems
Possible Causes:
- Overwatering
- Poor drainage from dense soil
Solutions:
• Allow soil to dry between waterings
• Mix in sand, perlite, or moss to aid drainage
• Cut away any mushy parts
Slow Growth
Possible Causes:
- Low humidity
- Nutrient deficiency
- Too little light
Solutions:
- Mist leaves or use a pebble tray
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
- Relocate to the east or west window
Catching issues early allows for easy rebounds – and hopefully, no more crises! Stay vigilant, observe your plants, and identify problems accurately for smooth sailing.
Tailoring Care to Each Type
By now, it’s clear that the Christmas cactus and its cousins like the Thanksgiving cactus and zygocactus have unique traits – from slightly different stem shapes to varied blooming timeframes.
It stands to reason that each type thrives under specialized care tailored to its individual needs!
While we covered basic shared cultivation earlier, let’s revisit care insights you can fine-tune:
| Plant Type | Christmas Cactus Care | Zygocactus Care |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect light south or west window best | Appreciates a bit more brightness than Christmas cousin |
| Watering | Allow more drying between drinks | Prefers more consistent moisture – take care not to overwater |
| Humidity | Average household humidity is fine | Boost humidity to 40-60% to prevent bud drop |
| Temperature | Cool nights 50-60°F to set blooms | Warmer days and nights to accelerate flowering |
See how small tweaks to your care routine – like boosting brightness for zygocactus or letting Christmas cactus soil dry a bit more before watering – make a difference?
Get to know your variety’s unique needs, and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant, good health and seasonal flowering!
Frequently Asked Questions
After all that, you probably still have pressing questions about the holiday cactus clan. Let’s tackle some FAQs:
Christmas Cactus Vs. Zygocactus?
Christmas cactus and Zygocactus are interchangeable names for the same plant.
What’s the Difference Between a Zygocactus And an Easter Cactus?
Nothing – they’re the same plant! Zygocactus is sometimes called Easter cactus because it blooms in spring around Easter. By contrast, Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus bloom in late fall and early winter.
How Can I Get My Christmas Cactus to Bloom at Christmas?
Christmas cactus needs at least 14 short, uninterrupted nights from about mid-October through November to set its budlets. Provide bright, indirect light during the day, then move it to complete darkness from 5 pm to 8 am for spectacular winter flowers!
Is My Purple Holiday Cactus a Christmas Or Thanksgiving Cactus?
Check the leaf shape and edges: Is it a smooth, scalloped Christmas cactus or a claw-like, jagged Thanksgiving cactus? Also, note if it blooms closer to October (Thanksgiving) or December (Christmas).
Final Say
While Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, Easter cactus, and zygocactus share holiday charm and cheerful flowers, we’ve uncovered key differences setting each variety apart.
Proper identification is essential for cultivation success, from contrasting stem shapes and branching patterns to varied blooming timeframes triggered by light and temperature changes to tailoring care to align with every variety’s needs.
Now, you can set your botanical celebrants up for health with accurate names and customized, high-quality care. Bring on the festive flowering! Understanding the nuances of these favorites helps craft a flourishing and cheerful indoor garden.
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