Huge Thanksgiving Cactus score & care tips please

9 years ago

My local Home Depot had these huge, beautiful Thanksgiving Cacti for $15!!!!

I bought one, had a nice shape and smaller segments - though the hairs are really prickly... ouch!! It will either be pink or red flowers. I can't believe how full it is, and I hate to complain but does it need thinning to help airflow? (I will post another pic) I wanted to spray neem just incase of hitch hiker pests, but am concerned of ability to dry out without getting a fungus.

I took it out of the plastic pot, soil looks like 100% peat, it's plenty moist so didn't water. Any suggestions on care, and if I should repot right away or wait until it adjusts to my house environment (which is rather dry in winter) Any tips appreciated.

My brother liked the plant, so I went back to the store to get him one & the vendor guy was there watering plants and rearranging the plant area. Once home, with the second TG, checked soil...was heavily soaked peat, took it out of the plastic pot, and put it on a towel to draw some water away... so afraid of root rot. (Why would he water it, I just bought one and it didn't need water. Is it because they're not back for a few weeks? or do they really want extremely wet medium and I'm not aware)
So the second TG cactus is a different variety (larger & darker green segments) and it may be white of a light color flower.

Thoughts greatly appreciated & perhaps you'll find a beauty too!
:)
Nancy

Comments (12)

nanzjade z5 MA
Original Author
9 years ago
Another picture...
nanzjade z5 MA
Original Author
9 years ago
from the top.... too full?
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nanzjade z5 MA
Original Author
9 years ago
Forgot to say western Massachusetts for a location.
Also..pic of roots if it helps.
hookilau
9 years ago
Great haul!!!

They look sooo lush and full.

I sure wish our on big box stores had some left.

I'm prowling CL and hoping to luck into a mature plant that's nearby.
k8 (7b, NJ)
9 years ago
I picked up one on sale at whole foods today as well, but its nowhere near as nice as yours! Maybe I should check out home depot as well...
hookilau
9 years ago
Whole Foods you saayyy?
Gonna have to check that out this weekend =D
nanzjade z5 MA
Original Author
9 years ago
Hookilau, I wish you luck! I'm sure folks get tired of caring for them the 11 months of the year that they aren't in bloom.

Meowmeowmeow, I hope you find one at HD too, keep us posted if you do! I will try to stay out of Whole Foods, lol
k8 (7b, NJ)
9 years ago
The last time I bought a plant at whole foods, it has mealies . . . soooo idk if I can recommended it but it was $10 and looked uninfected (if a little thirsty) so
hookilau
9 years ago
thanks for the tip ;)

Whole Foods here in NY is very expensive, so as a rule, I try to stay outta that place.

However, I confess that with the lure of a nice plant, all bets are off
8D
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
9 years ago
Hi there, those are great looking plants you have found there! I also grow these here in the UK and have found the page I have linked below for you good for info on the different varieties of jungle cacti as I call them. I hope it helps you, see the clickable links in the 'square box' of the page to give you cultural help etc etc. Good luck with your new plants.

Gill UK
PS the link does not seem to work when I go to preview, so see if this works if you copy and paste it into your browser. If not hopefully someone will make it work for us :)
https://web.archive.org/web/20070216040519/http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Jungle cacti info site
Embothrium
9 years ago
Probably several cuttings in each pot. I find these very easy to grow under ordinary indoor conditions; most outlets here that carry any flowering house plants at all stock Schlumbergera truncata forms in season. This includes supermarkets and other groceries.
nanzjade z5 MA
Original Author
9 years ago
For the last 3 years I've just had a one rescued TC branch that I have kept on the drier side, and too much light as it gets burgundy coloring... but each year it delighted me with a couple red blooms :) pic below

So with this hanging basket...trying to get the peat off of it's roots is my anxiety. But for now, just letting it acclimate to the new environment while I get around to sanitizing the terracotta pots.

Gill, thank you for the link, it has lots of useful info. I will be rereading it again tonight to help it soak in.

Hi bboy. Yes, each basket is filled with lots of older cuttings, they are quite impressive. I always wonder about the gold coloring on older branches...I guess it's their form of bark.

Nancy