Our Slightly Confused Cactus

There are three different flowering cactus types that are seen in North America.  They are named based on what season they bloom.

We’ve had our flowering cactus for many decades—for so long that we can’t remember when we bought it.

The image above is of a blooming flower and a new bud of a flower on our cactus last week.  It produces a beautiful display when it blooms.  We’ve always thought of it as a Christmas Cactus, but after researching these botanical wonders, we’ve changed our minds.

In North America, there are three varieties that are common: Thanksgiving Cactus, Christmas Cactus, and Easter Cactus.  Those names are based on when these cacti come into bloom.  The Thanksgiving Cactus is named for the American Thanksgiving, in early November.

The Christmas and the Thanksgiving cacti are from the Schlumbergera family, so their history is very similar. They are both tropical cacti from the rainforests in Brazil

The Thanksgiving cactus blooms slightly earlier than the Christmas cactus.  But in their native lands, they both flower from April to May, so they are not called by either name. 

The Easter cactus is from the Hatiora family.

Sometimes they are all thrown into one basket and labeled as the more exotic-sounding Zygocactus.

The most reliable way to identify the type of cactus is to compare the leaves.  We’ve now determined that ours should be called a Thanksgiving Cactus.

So much for science, now, let me tell you about our little gem that sits in our kitchen window all year long.  During the last twelve months, May through to April, our plant has bloomed once in the summer, another time in October, then again in February, and most recently in March.  The poor thing is very confused, but it’s succeeding with keeping us happy.  We are pleased to say it has succeeded.  We love the sight of its gentle coloured flowers through the seasons where the land outside is either greyish-brown, or white.

Somehow, with our inconsistent watering of the plant, and the exposure to light and temperature it gets in its place of rest in our window, it gets confused.  Instead of selecting one time of the year, it self-determines when it is needed and bursts forth with flowers.

We have this thing we do with anthropomorphising our cars and plants by giving them names.  I think it is time this small wonder gets a family name.

Esoterica

Another seasonal treat we get in our backyard.  They’re back!