Crab cactus - facts and care tips

The crab cactus was very popular in the 70s. Now it has made a comeback. In November, as the days get shorter and shorter, the buds of the November cactus start to swell and bloom. The plant is covered with flowers in white, pink, salmon, or purple shades. The crab cactus, also known as the fall cactus, is easy to care for and easy to propagate, making it last for generations.

The crab cactus is a succulent plant and belongs to the cactus family. The biggest risk with it is that the plant may be damaged by overwatering. Watering, Water the crab cactus sparingly, especially during its resting period. When the buds start to appear, you can water and mist the plant a little more. The crab cactus is a succulent plant and stores water in its leaves. If it gets too much water, it can rot. Placement, The crab cactus has a slightly hanging, wide growth habit. The older it gets, the more hanging it becomes. It looks great in hanging baskets and tall pots. Ideally, the plant should be placed in east or west-facing locations, in places that are bright but do not expose the cactus to direct sunlight. It can also survive further into the room, as long as it is not too dark. During the summer, the crab cactus thrives outdoors in a shady spot. To promote bud formation, the crab cactus should be placed in a cool and bright spot for a period of time. The temperature should consistently stay below 20 degrees, so that it can rest and gather strength. Care instructions include moving the plant away from heat sources and letting it take care of itself after flowering. Essentially, it only needs a splash of water now and then. In August, it can be placed in an even cooler location.

As a rule, you should repot your crab cactus in a larger pot every other or every third year. Lift the plant out of the pot and check if it needs to be repotted: If the roots are visible around the soil ball, it is time for repotting. Repotting is done by switching to a pot that is 2-3 centimeters larger in diameter, so that the roots have room to grow.

Cuttings are a perfect gift to give to family and friends. It is easy to take cuttings from a crab cactus. Here's how you do it:

Choose a nice stem adorned with leaves. Snip off the stem so that you have 2-4 leaves on the cutting. Take a handful of cuttings in this way to create a completely new little plant as quickly as possible.

Let the cuttings rest for a day or two, this is to allow the wound surface to dry out.

Get a pot with good drainage, it should have holes in the bottom and be placed on a saucer.

Fill the pot with two parts soil and one part perlite.

Insert the cuttings into the soil mixture so that the stem is 1-2 centimeters below the surface.

Water gently, preferably by showering the soil. The soil should only be slightly moist.

You can take cuttings from a crab cactus all year round, but they will establish themselves fastest in spring and summer when the days are long and bright. Expect it to take 4-10 weeks before your new plant takes off!

Crab cactus can get really old and is a plant that is often passed down from generation to generation.

Originally from Brazil, the crab cactus grows in trees and on mountain slopes.

The plant has been cultivated in Europe since the 19th century.

The crab cactus is scientifically named Schlumbergera truncata, while the Christmas cactus is a hybrid between Schlumbergera truncata and Schlumbergera russelliana. They look very similar to each other, but the Thanksgiving cactus has more pointed leaves and the Christmas cactus is a bit slimmer. Additionally, it is harder to find Christmas cacti. Often times, people inherit them from a relative or find them in well-stocked flower shops.