Schlumbergera truncata 'Pale Rose' (Pale Pink)

The Schumbergera truncata is commonly referred to as the Christmas Cactus, but it is not the real Christmas Cactus. The latter is actually the Schlumbergera x buckleyi. It has no spikes on its flattened stems (they are crenate, but rather rounded), it has fuchsia flowers and it really does have a drooping habit. The Schumbergera truncata, on the other hand, has stem segments with spikes, the different cultivars have various colored blooms and it has a more upright habit. Plus, it blooms in the fall and not at Christmas!

Being an epiphytic plant native to the rainforest, the Schlumbergera truncata will do well in a hanging basket, sheltered from draughts. It is best to avoid moving it once you have found the perfect spot. The flowers of Schumbergera truncata grow on the previous year's leaves, so this is an important consideration if you are considering pruning it. Flowering is induced by the short days of fall. At this time, you can fertilize every 2 weeks with a bloom fertilizer.

The fall of flower buds is sometimes observed. It can be caused by different things: moving the plant (avoid turning it), a lack of humidity, a too low or too high temperature, a change in light conditions, a lack of water (the plant needs a little more water during flowering).

Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Brazil
Watering: low to moderate. Water only when the substrate is dry. Water a little more during flowering.
Light: intense, but indirect. To induce flowering in autumn, need a good sunshine during the day, but no light at all in the evening (needs 13 hours of total darkness). When the flower buds are formed, you can put the plant back to the light.
Relative humidity: average
Substrate: draining, like our homemade potting soil for Schlumbergera
Fertilization: from April to October, fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks when new leaves emerge.
Flowering: pale pink
Toxicity: non toxic

* Please note that each plant is unique and will be different from the one in the photo.