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Overview
Schlumbergera gaertneri or the Easter Cactus is a fascinating and at times beautiful, epiphytic succulent that has loose jointed, flattened stems that have a gentle scalloped margin and arch gracefully outward and downward.
In spring it produces a spectacular display of scarlet funnel shaped flowers for aereols at the tips of the flattened stems.
A perfect indoor plant that is easy to keep and even better in outdoor hanging baskets.
Soil: Free-draining potting mix is vital - plenty of added perlite or medium pumice will help.
Choose a bright but indirect light location.
Maintenance: Fertilise monthly quarterly.
Check for scale and repot as necessary.
Do not water too much - once a week or ten days is enough and ensure you plant in a very well draining mix - with plenty of added Perlite to assist drainage and induce air.
Propagate from cuttings - allow them to callous over at the cut point before planting. They will produce roots quicker in a glass of water first, though many professional horticulturalists reckon that soil generated roots are stronger, they just take longer to get going.
Diseases: Scale insects + beware of rot if it is over watered.
Other Species: Many other variations on pink red and white.
This plant is an example of how the plant naming industry has not matured yet as it manages to have a very long list of 'supposed' official botanical names. Here are the main ones, though there could be more:-
Schlumbergera gaertneri v. makoyana
Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri
Epiphyllum russellianum gaertneri
Epiphyllum makoyanum
Epiphyllum gaertneri
Phyllocactus gaertneri
Hatiora gaertneri
Epiphyllopsis gaertneri
N.B. the original epiphyllum was very much a tree dwelling epiphyte which has been cross-bred with others of the genera Heliocereus and Nopalxochia - these have resulted in the orange to red flower colours that are popular today.
Comments: Makes a wonderful display in a hanging basket and is attractive even when not in flower.
Bring it indoors during the flowering period to take advantage of its beautiful blooms.
Author: Bob Saunders.