In the Garden
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, last week's In the Garden did not make it in the newspaper. It has been included along with this week's column.
I have recently had several people who have called, saying that their Christmas cactus is already blooming. It is possible that it is not a Christmas cactus at all, but rather is a Thanksgiving cactus. I have done a lot of research on university websites and websites of plant breeders and the biggest thing I have learned is that the issue is confusing at best. There is a lot of contradictory information out there.
One thing is certain. Both Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti are true members of the cactus family in the genus Schlumbergera. Most of the sites agree that the Thanksgiving cactus is Schlumbergera truncata (sometimes spelled truncate). Some sites identify the Christmas cactus as Schlumbergera russelliana, while others use the binomial Schlumbergera buckleyi. Some say that Schlumbergera buckleyi is actually a cross between Schlumbergera truncata and Schlumbergera russelliana. It can be quite confusing.
However, just referring to them as Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti clears it up a bit. There are some differences on which everyone seems to agree. Both are native to the coastal mountains of South America, where they grow as epiphytes in trees. Both have flat stems composed of segments known as phyllocades. A major difference is that the edges of the Thanksgiving cactus segments have two to four serrations or teeth, while the Christmas cactus is smooth. In nature, the Thanksgiving cactus blooms a few weeks earlier than the Christmas cactus, but since either can remain in bloom for up to 8 weeks, their bloom times may overlap. Another difference is that the Thanksgiving cactus has yellow anthers (where the pollen is found) while the Christmas cactus anthers are purplish-brown.
The blooms may also be affected by light and temperature. In the fall, both cacti should be placed in a place with temperatures around 65 degrees F. They need 12 to 14 hours of total darkness for about 8 weeks to set buds. Many people resort to covering the plants with paper bags in the evenings to prevent artificial light pollution. Once the buds are set, the plants may be moved into rooms with more light, but one should still avoid bright direct sunlight and cold drafts.
When you buy or receive a holiday cactus as a gift, it will likely be wrapped in foil. The foil is for decorative purposes, but is deadly for the plant. Unlike desert cacti, the Schlumbereras need more water, but they do not like to be left soaked. They need good drainage, so either remove that foil or cut holes in the bottom to let the water out. If you set it in a saucer, water the plant until water drains out the bottom, but empty the saucer afterward. However, some humidity is good, so one could put rocks in a saucer and leave the water, as long as the water does not touch the bottom of the pot. Usually, the new plant will be in a plastic pot, but terra cotta is actually better for drainage. If you decide to treat your plant to a new home, select a pot that is not much bigger than the one in which it came. These cacti actually like to be a little pot-bound and do not need to be re-potted for three to five years. They are not terribly picky about the potting soil, but it does need to drain well. I prefer a cactus mix, adding some peat moss to give the plant more acid.
If you take care, you can have your holiday cactus for many years. I personally know someone who has a specimen that is over 30 and she says it has never been repotted. She does cut it back a couple of months after it finishes blooming, causing it to branch and resulting in more blooming stems the following year. The cuttings may be left to dry until the end scabs and then planted about an inch deep in moist potting medium. A plastic tent will help keep the humidity up for better rooting. New growth is the best indicator that the plant has rooted and is ready to add to your collection or be given to a friend.
Dear Santa
Dear Santa,
It has been a tough year, Santa, but I have been trying really hard to make the nice list. I’m not sure I really made it, but I thought I’d write my annual letter, just in case.
As usual, my number one wish is for rocks. Actually, I am really wanting one special rock. It would be large enough to say “Sandhill Gardens” and also have room for my address. If it is large enough, perhaps the delivery drivers will see it and actually deliver things to the right place.
I also need some stones that are flat and about four inches thick to finish the walkway through the moon gate. Of course, I need some fine gravel to fill in around the stones and lock them in to make a safe walk. Some solar lights would be nice to outline the moon gate.
Of course, some nice fieldstones to line the pathway would be welcome. I really need a truck load of such stones, as I have several pathways to up-grade.
Santa, you likely remember my love of seating areas in the gardens. Last year, I asked for some chairs that look like gigantic hands. I knew that was a long-shot, but I really do want those seats at the top of the cliff. I guess it would not do any harm to repeat a request.
I try to take good care of my garden tools, but, I must admit, that some of them are needing upgrades. As I get older, power tools hold a certain gleam. I am especially interested in a power trimmer known as the Jaw. It is a cross between pruners and a chain saw, and is powered by a re-chargeable battery pack. I think you can also get a set of hedge trimmers that will use the same battery. That could be very handy.
On the other hand, I am very fond of antique garden tools. I have some old eye hoes that need new handles and a couple of picks that could also use handles. One of my greatest desires is to get an actual stone hoe head. Other tools used by Native Americans and early pioneers would also be welcome additions to my collection. I enjoy using the tools in programs about how gardening has changed through the years and to also show that we still have the same connection with the earth when we grow our own food.
I do not usually ask for specific plants, but I thought you might be able to bring some gift certificates for my favorite nurseries. A beautiful new redbud won Plant of the Year honors at the Chelsea Garden Show this summer. Marketed in the United States as “Flame Thrower”, this redbud offers brilliant red, orange and yellow leaves throughout the growing season. Those accents in the canopy will be show-stoppers in the landscape. I have a couple of places where I would like to try them, so two trees would be nice.
Witch hazels provide interest in the garden at a time when there is little else in bloom. I would like both autumnal and vernal witch hazels.
I certainly need a gift certificate for a native plant nursery. I want to get some rattlesnake master plants going for my meadow and would love other native bloomers. I especially would like to get some native bittersweet, which has become very scarce in this area.
Finally, I once again ask that you send some elves to help me in the gardens. I find that it is hard for me to get everything done these days. A good work crew for a few days would really be a big help.
As always, if I end up on the naughty list again, you have my permission to use this letter as a guide for gifts for the good gardeners. I am sure they will appreciate the gifts.
Your humble gardener,
Ralph
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: In the Garden for Nov. 29, 2021
