Christmas Cactus
Schlumbergera truncata — the Brazilian rainforest cactus that blooms for the darkest weeks.
Origin
Section titled “Origin”No desert plant despite the family: Schlumbergera grows as an epiphyte in the cloud forests of southeastern Brazil’s coastal mountains. A short-day plant — long, cool autumn nights trigger the buds.
Location
Section titled “Location”Bright indirect light, no midday sun, 50–77 °F. In October give it cool nights (50–59 °F) and no evening lamplight, and stop moving it once buds show — sudden change makes it drop them.
Watering
Section titled “Watering”Water weekly when the top of the mix is dry, sparser after flowering. Half-strength feed every four weeks, April to September only.
Pruning
Section titled “Pruning”No knife needed: after flowering, twist off a segment or two at the joints to keep it branching. Every segment roots in moist mix.
Repotting
Section titled “Repotting”Every three years at most, in early spring — it blooms best slightly root-bound. Between repots, a fresh top layer of mix stands in.