Christmas cactus.

[solay]

Here is a picture of the cactus I have in full bloom now.

[Lacerr]

WOW, I've never seen one so huge and so many blooms!!! its incredible!!

[fred]

very nice solay
we have a few in bloom here and its almost winter but they don't look as good as your plant having said that this is there second flowering since summer.

I just thought I would also mention that the Christmas cactus is also known as a Zygo cactus. hehehe but hey when it blooms like that its Christmas

its good how many of us grow these wonderful plants as well

[solay]

Thanks, I've had it for many years and at one time I thought of getting rid of it. But I think I will keep it after all. I'm not a cactus lover in general but this one blooms like crazy. I keep it out all year even when the temp. drops below 30. It still survives.

[orchid_girl]

It is gorgeous!!! I love the color!!

[fred]

solay just a quick question for you... do you re-pot your very often ?
I ask this for the simple reason we have about 7 Christmas cactus they had not been re-potted for I think about 3 years I re-potted them with out buds and now they are flowering once more... Its not the flowering season here lol

ahhh that reminds me when I was at my mothers last time my Father had a cactus that he had for many years the flowers are like the Christmas Cactus only a lot bigger. I will have to take a pic of that one to see if one of our knowledgeable members can give me the name.

[solay]

Fred, I've had that in the same pot for at least 6 years or more. Never been re-potted. When I first got it it was in a small 4" pot. It stays in full sun and seems to bloom better with more light.

Your father might have what they call a orchid cactus. They are Epiphyllums. I got one from a friend in bloom last year. She grew it from a clipping.

[fred]

I am not sure with my fathers cactus solay
I will have to get a pic up so we can see... I did however grow this one on from a clipping like you have mentioned. I have done the same with the Christmas cactus they all came from my Father 5 years ago..
I could only have clippings as its illegal to bring plants into the state shhhhhhhhhh from the mainland so mums the word lol ... this thread is not about orchids but the same rule now applies for bringing orchids into our state.Its all about Quarantine Rules now..

[arleneg]

Wow! I'm surprised that's in bloom! How did I miss that when I was there?! I got a large clipping from my mom. It flowers in the fall.

Last weekend, she gave me another 'zygo cactus' like cactus, but larger. She doesn't remember what it's called since she threw away the name tag. I plan on taking a pic and hope some member here can help i.d. it.

[sandra]

This Zygo cactus is different than the Christmas Cactus's that bloom in winter (northern hemisphere). They're both members of the Zygo family, just a different variety. These have been for sale now and always referred to as "Summer" or "Easter" cactus's. The flowers and blooming times are different.

I love these. You have got yourself a stunning plant there Solay.

[fred]

sandra you are probably right with that
but here in Tassie they are known as Zygo Cactus
when buying one they all have a huge tag saying Zygo cactus and nothing else
hmmm silly duffers lol
I think I may have both varieties.. very interesting

hmm are they supposed to flower twice a year ?

[sandra]

Originally Posted by fred

sandra you are probably right with that
but here in Tassie they are known as Zygo Cactus
when buying one they all have a huge tag saying Zygo cactus and nothing else
hmmm silly duffers lol
I think I may have both varieties.. very interesting

hmm are they supposed to flower twice a year ?

Well, our Christmas Cactus would be your Summer Cactus and visa versa Whatever they're called, they're all still Zygos...I think we're the duffers here Fred.

I know the Christmas Cactus variety can bloom twice a year but I've only had that happen once. Since living in this house, with the lousy light on the patio and the stifling hot weather in summer, they only bloom once a year with budding starting around Thanksgiving (November).

....although, we had a late and unseasonably cool winter (for Fla.) this year and just last week, one of mine, put out one lonely but pretty flower for me.
Here....

[solay]

Sandra, I like the way you have a two tone bloom. I never paid much attention on when mine blooms. I think just once a year. They are so common that I never thought it special. Thanks for the compliment. I guess I won't dig it up and toss it after all. The thought had crossed my mind.

Arlene, you missed it cause I was so busy trying to rush. You'll see it next time you visit me.

[arleneg]

Sandra -- I love the color on yours! Mine is two-toned (pink/white), too, and blooms around November.

Cindy -- Oh yeah.

[sandra]

Well, aside from the flowers being completely different on the summer ones vs. the winter ones, the other difference is that all the winter ones are 2 toned except for the whites unless you count their pink anthers.

Solay, I can't believe you would think about getting rid of yours. No matter how common, they're still spectacular!

[sandra]

Come to think of it, I think the reds are solid and not 2 toned. Forget what I said up there.

[patticake]

Solay- Beautiful Easter cactus! The bloom shape and the leaf-stem segments are for what is commonly referred to as the Easter cactus. The segments are rounded, and the blossom petals are all the same- kind of radiating from a central point.
Christmas cactus has rounded segments, and blooms shaped more like the Thanksgiving cactus.
The Thanksgiving (zygo) cactus has pointed segments and blooms like those in Sandra's pic. (the bottom petals bend backwards more than the top ones do.) That's the type that my little seedling is from. (another thread)
The orchid cactus has huge segments, of all different sizes and very showy blooms! I'll try to get photos of each type and post sometime soon. My life has been overwhelming lately.... I haven't been on much.
Gorgeous plant, anyways!!!

[fred]

solay has logged off I was going to ask solay of she minded if I posted some pics of ours here as well.
so right now I am going out side to take some pics to show you all.

some in bud and in flower.. very interesting topic I think.
hehe no sandra we not the duffers lol I am lol

[solay]

I'm back on. Hee! Hee! I do that a lot. On off on off. Anyway, go right ahead Fred. I would love to see pics.

Patti, so I have a Easter cactus. Boy too many holidays. Please post pics of the different kinds. I would like to know how to tell which holiday is which. Thanks.