A particular cactus that stands out.

The ancestor of the Christmas cactus is native to Brazil. In this country, the species of Schlumbergera are epiphytic plants that grow on tree branches or lithophytes growing on the rocks. I must say that the Schlumbergera genus  is very  particular. Those plants grow in a tropical rainforest. Normally cactus grow in areas subject to drought and well-drained and dry soil. The botanical name of Schlumbergera was given by the botanist Charles Lemaire in honor of the famous French collector of cacti and succulents.

Today, the Christmas cactus  harboring a lot of flowers found in stores are cultivars. These plants must be vegetatively propagated by cuttings. You can find the Schlumbergera cultivars under the name of  Christmas cactus, crab cactus, holiday cactus or Thanksgiving cactus. Horticulturists have developed a selection of beautiful colors. The flowers can be pink, red, purple, orange, yellow or white. Schlumbergera cultivars are divided into two main sets. One of these sets, the Truncata contains cultivars associated with the characteristics of the species Schlumbergera truncata. These plants bloom earlier. On the market, they are available for Thanksgiving. The other set, the buckleyi contains cultivars associated with the characteristics of the species Schlumbergera russelliana. Their flowering coincides with the celebration of Christmas and New Year's Day. Schlumbergera x buckleyi is the true Christmas cactus.