My Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera russelliana) has grown a lot since last year - it usually sits on my study window ledge but I put it on the cooker hob for its portrait after I had washed off the dust from its greenery...
Last December I blogged on the subject of A Christmas cactus is for life – not just the festive season… and I urge you to go there and read a bit about the Christmas (or Holiday) cactus, Easter cactus and other succulents.
Schlumbergera russelliana in flower in December 2010
Schlumbergera russelliana in flower in December 2010
Schlumbergera russelliana in flower in December 2010
Schlumbergera russelliana in flower in December 2010
Schlumbergera russelliana in flower in December 2010
While the Christmas cactus is in its prime in December, the Easter cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) is resting, but hopefully will show its red flowers again in spring…
Hatiora gaertneri - Easter cactus - in non-flowering season in December 2010
Hatiora gaertneri - Easter cactus - in non-flowering season in December 2010
And if you haven’t been there yet, please do go and read more in last year’s blog post here…
Aren’t they great? I’ve taken some new shots of mine, too. They’re not posted as I’m still sorting through them, but I love it when they come into flower!
Thank you for commenting.
Yes, although mine usually manages to peak a little bit too early and then there are dead blooms all over the place by Christmas itself!
I have followed your recent posts on photography – and the dear little rats!
Only thing that has held me back from plugging your posts on Twitter is that I can’t find your user name – are you not Tweeting? If you aren’t it won’t stop me publicising you – it’s just it would look a bit amateur if I didn’t give your Twittername when I do Tweet about you…
Cheers
x
Your Russelliana looks like a Schlumbergera Truncata to me. Nonetheless, they’re gorgeous healthy plants!
Thank you for that! I have looked around to try to work out the difference and now I think I understand. This web page explains it well. I see it’s all about different shaped leaves and the truncata version is also known as “crab cactus” because the spiky leaf shape looks like a crab’s claw. I also see that the russelliana I was thinking of originally is a variety called buckleyii. I must amend the post!
Best wishes 🙂