Thanksgiving cacti, also known as Schlumbergera truncata, are beautiful plants that can brighten up your home during the holiday season. In order to ensure that your Thanksgiving cactus blooms in time for Thanksgiving, it’s important to provide it with the right conditions. One key factor is the amount of darkness that the plant receives.
Thanksgiving cacti are considered “short-day” plants, which means they require a period of uninterrupted darkness to stimulate blooming. This darkness period should last for 12 to 24 hours each day, starting in mid-September. This is crucial for the plant to set buds and develop beautiful flowers in time for Thanksgiving.
To provide the necessary darkness, you can place your Thanksgiving cactus in a room where it won’t be exposed to any artificial or natural light during the designated dark period. This could be a spare room, a closet, or even a box covered with a light-blocking material. It’s important to note that even a small amount of light exposure during this period can disrupt the blooming process, so it’s best to choose a location where you can ensure complete darkness.
It’s also worth mentioning that Thanksgiving cacti are native to the tropics and prefer cool nighttime temperatures between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 18 degrees Celsius). During the day, they thrive in temperatures of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 20 degrees Celsius). Keeping the plant in a cooler environment can help promote healthy growth and encourage blooming.
In my personal experience, I usually start the dark period for my Thanksgiving cactus around mid-September, as this aligns with the natural cycle of shorter days and longer nights. I place the plant in a spare room that doesn’t receive any light during the designated dark period. I make sure to cover any windows or use blackout curtains to prevent any accidental light exposure.
During this period, I also adjust the temperature in the room to provide the ideal conditions for the cactus. I keep the room cool at night, around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), and maintain a slightly higher daytime temperature of 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 20 degrees Celsius).
By following these guidelines and providing the necessary darkness and temperature conditions, you can increase the chances of your Thanksgiving cactus blooming in time for the holiday season. It’s important to be patient and consistent with the dark period, as interrupting it can delay or prevent flowering.
In summary, to ensure your Thanksgiving cactus blooms in time for Thanksgiving, it’s important to provide it with a period of uninterrupted darkness for 12 to 24 hours each day, starting in mid-September. Additionally, maintaining cool nighttime temperatures between 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 18 degrees Celsius) and daytime temperatures of 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 20 degrees Celsius) can help promote healthy growth and blooming.
