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The leaves of thanksgiving cactus are wide, flat and have slight serrations on the edges. They bloom around Thanksgiving the bloom colors are yellow, white, red, and pink. The blooms can last two to four months.
Blooming
Getting Thanksgiving cactus to bloom requires cool temperatures. They can handle temperatures down to 40 degrees. They also need reduced light to set buds. You can put them in a cool room inside if you live somewhere that frost will become a problem, if not leave them outside to experience nature. Some people place their Thanksgiving cactus in a closet for 12-14 hours at night and remove it during the day until they start to see buds. Once you see buds you can return your Thanksgiving cactus to normal light.
Light
During the summer months place your Thanksgiving cactus in a shady area outside. Thanksgiving cactus leaves will turn pale and yellow looking. During the winter months when the Thanksgiving cactus is blooming it can be moved to a location that receives more sun. If it is inside a south facing window would be ideal.
Watering
Thanksgiving cactus do well with soak and drain method for watering when blooming. Water your thanksgiving cactus until you see water draining out of the drainage holes in your pot. Wait to water again until the top inch of soil is dry. When your thanksgiving cactus is not in bloom water only enough to keep it from shriveling up. Overwatering can cause root rot which can kill your plant. Thanksgiving cactus also like humidity you can add a pebble tray under the pot or place in your bathroom.
Soil
Thanksgiving cactus prefers an acid soil that is rich and porous with plenty of organic matter. In its natural habitat it grows in tree crevices with decaying matter all around it. A soil made for citrus trees and cacti would work well. Fertilize twice a month when it is in bloom with a succulent fertilizer.
Propagation
You can use a segment with three leaves to propagate a Thanksgiving cactus. When Thanksgiving cactus is done blooming for the season it will need to be pruned. These pruned leaves can easily be propagated to give you more plants. After pruning let the leaves callous. Then place them in a container with water covering the bottom leaf 1/4 of the way. You can cut a three segment piece of leaf off for propagation at any time as long as your Thanksgiving cactus is not in bloom. Place the leaves in a spot that receives bright indirect light during the day. They also prefer some humidity. This can be accomplished by placing in the bathroom or placing a pebble tray under the pot and adding water.
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