Schlumbergera gaertneri – Cactus Plants

Schlumbergera gaertneri is an ornamental, flowering, succulent, jointed, spine-free cactus that grows on trees (epiphytic) or less often rocks (lithophytic) in sub-tropical rain forest. The stems are made up of segments, most of which are flattened and which are the photosynthetic organs of the plant. Younger segments are dullish green, 2 – 4 inches long and 2 – 2.5 cm wide, with small notches on the margins. Structures characteristic of cacti, called areoles, form in these notches. The blossoms have an angled ovary, are funnel-shaped, stellate, symmetric, 4 to 5 cm long and 5 to 7 broad, in a number of 1-3 of a scarlet-red color. They are produced in profusion, from one to three, at the apex of the terminal segments, by early spring, roughly, therefore, in the Eastern period in the northern hemisphere, from which do come many common names, they last, each one, 4-5 days, but the plant goes on blooming for some weeks. The fruits are 1,5 cm oblong, of a reddish brown color and contain brown seeds of about 1 mm of diameter, but for the fructification the presence of another plant is needed, not obtained by division of the same, which has to furnish the pollen, as a matter of fact, the flowers, even if they are hermaphrodite, are self-incompatible.

Scientific classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Schlumbergera
Species: S. gaertneri

Scientific Name: Schlumbergera gaertneri (Regel) Britton & Rose
Synonyms: Epiphyllum gaertneri, Epiphyllum makoyanum, Epiphyllum russellianum var. gaertneri, Hatiora gaertneri, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri var. tiburtii, Rhipsalis gaertneri.
Common Name: Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus.

How to grow and care for Schlumbergera gaertneri (Easter cactus)

Light:
It thrives best in the bright, but indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can cause brown spots.

Soil:
It prefers to grow in neutral, Well-drained soil. Use a mixture of 1 part potting soil and 1 part fine-grade fir bark.

Temperature:
To set flower buds, the plant needs cool 60-65°F/16-18°C days and 45°F-55°F/7-13°C nights. Once buds set, 70°F-75°F/21-24°C days and 60°F-70°F/16-21°C nights. Plant death can occur at below 50°F (10°C).

Water:
Water regularly, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. After flowering, water sparingly until new growth begins in spring.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. After blooms have dropped, stop fertilizing for a month.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by stem cuttings. Take stem cuttings from one to four segments. Allow the cut ends to dry for 24 hours before placing upright in moist perlite. Rooting occurs between 3-4 weeks. It is rarely propagated by seed, sow seeds in the spring.

Repotting:
Re-pot every year or every 2 years in the mid-summer. Never re-pot during the bloom or following resting period. Re-pot by removing only the loose soil around the roots. Transfer immediately to a wider pot.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus. Add an insecticide to the water 2 to 3 times a year to combat pests as well as a systemic fungicide to prevent the orange and brown spotting that sometimes affects them.