Here is the picture of the 'old guy'. :-)

Yes, mine has also developed buds recently! I don't understand why because I thought they required a lengthy dark period and cool nights to flower. Neither has happened here.

You have a Thanksgiving Cactus there, and yes these Holiday Cacti will all bloom outside of their 'typical' bloom-frame. My Christmas Cactus bloomed from December to April this season, due I think to the amount of sunlight this Winter. They don't require lengthy dark periods, contrary to many uninformed websites that parrot that advice.

Josh

I just thought it strange. Like I said, I've had this 40 years...and this long blooming is a first. It is a Thanksgiving/Christmas cactus. Beautiful blooms for both holidays. And now going into May and it shows no signs of slowing. It is loaded with buds in all stages....tiny buds just starting to form to fully open blooms. It will be blooming for a long time to come too, if all these buds develop and bloom.

Hi, Shenue, your plant is Schlumbergera truncata, the Thanksgiving Cactus without question. The shape and angle of the flower, as well as the points on the margins of the phylloclades (leaf segments), are key identifiers. I have a 35 year-old Christmas Cactus that has gone through periods of heavy bloom and lighter bloom throughout the years, and the variables are many: root-health, vitality, Summer growth, nutrition, light exposure, and cold exposure will all influence the profundity and longevity of the blooming period.

Josh

What lovely blooms on your old guy!

My Christmas Cacti also rebloomed in late March/early April this year, but my Thanksgiving Cactus didn't. I was surprised but happy to see out-of-season flowers. My plants didn't bloom as heavily the second time, however.

Hello, everyone!

I did some research a few years ago in order to really understand and know the difference..like a 5 year old...between Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter Cactus.

Most people believe they are all one and the same with different blooming periods. Many vendors sell them all as if they were the same plant...and call everything "Christmas Cactus."

The attached photo clearly explains the difference and was taken from:
http://www.mattslandscape.com/schlumbergera_growing/

In simple to understand layman's terms:
Thanksgiving Cactus
- Leaf / Pad edges have soft points
- Flower is asymmetrical, pendulous but with a bend so bloom points sideways

Christmas Cactus
- Leaf / Pad edges are scalloped w/no points
- Flower is symmetrical, pendulous and points downward

Easter Cactus
- Leaf / Pads are concave & round (lightly scalloped)
- Flowers stand upright and are completely different from above two; Zinnia-like

I hope this is useful.

So much great information! Thanks to you all. I really appreciate it so very much!

Linda