fish_4_all
Zone 8-9 Washington
Posts: 547
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: Is this normal for a Christmas Cactus? |
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It is a wonrderfully healthy plant but I am concerned because most of them I see are not erect like this one. Most are sprawling plants that fill a large area and don't grow 12" tall.
It is under artificial lighting all year, 12-14 hours a day.
Is the lighting causing it to stretch to the light instead of laying down? Would it hurt the plant to move it to a place that gets less light? All light is artificial, no sunlight reaches this plant. I have not fertilized this one either since I got it 1.5 years ago.
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Bluewing0
Upstate NY
Posts: 166
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject: |
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It looks like a Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncate)The TRUE Christmas cactus has smooth leaves, not points, although the pointy ones have been sold as Christmas cactus. Unfortunately, they are no longer available except maybe certain places online.
It could be reaching to get more light because it's above, but once the leaves get longer, the weight should bring the branches down some.
Try summering it outdoors in warmer weather (bright indirect light) and it should grow faster and lie down more. You can use a small amount (weak) of reg fertilizer. Use something like 10-15-10 until you see buds, most likely in the fall.
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fish_4_all
Zone 8-9 Washington
Posts: 547
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| Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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I did not know there was "thanksgiving cactus". I don't care though, same treatment and I have 4 other types of them so maybe I will have blooms all fall season into winter thank you again Stratsmom.
I will try the summer outdoor idea to get a lot of growth and see if it lays down. I have 4 tohers in one pot I will need to do it to also, hopefully it going good before it warms up.
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eileen
 Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:25 am Post subject: |
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I have two lots of these plants and one is upright - the other sprawls. Maybe the different types simply have a variety of growing habits. 
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Jewell
Regular Plants Contributor
Puget Sound Region of the Pacific NW (Washington State, US)
Posts: 1590
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| Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:37 am Post subject: |
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Like the leaf structure and bloosom color on your Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus. I looked at my pot of two Christmas cactus in one pot and they looked just like yours. The only leaf stems drooping were those that were too crowded on the bottom to stand up. Bet the little ones at the base of yours will be droopy. Cool plant.
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~Jewell
If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb
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