Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera russelliana

shlum-BER-ger-uh  rus-sel-lee-AY-nuh

Syn.

Schlumbergera bridgesii

shlum-BER-ger-uh  brid-JES-ee-eye

Synonyms of Schlumbergera russelliana (10) (Updated on 12-10-23 from Plants of the World Online): Cereus russellianus Gardner (1839), Epiphyllum bridgesii Lem. (1861), Epiphyllum russellianum (Gardner) Hook. (1839), Epiphyllum russellianum var. rubrum T.Br. (1864), Epiphyllum russellianum var. superbum T.Br. (1864), Epiphyllum truncatum var. bridgesii (Lem.) T.Br. (1864), Phyllocactus russellianus (Gardner) Salm-Dyck (1845), Schlumbergera bridgesii (Lem.) Loefgr. (1918), Schlumbergera epiphylloides Lem. (1858), Zygocactus bridgesii (Lem.) Linding. (1942)

Schlumbergera russelliana (Hook.) Britton & Rose OR Schlumbergera russelliana (Gardener) Britton & Rose

“MOST” websites and databases say Schlumbergera russelliana (Hook.) Britton & Rose is the accepted scientific name for this species of Schlumbergera. It was named and described as such by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in Contributions from the U.S. National Herbarium in 1913. It was first named and described as Epiphyllum russellianum by William Jackson Hooker in Botanical Magazine in 1839. 

HOWEVER…

Plants of the World Online by Kew lists the scientific name as Schlumbergera russelliana (Gardner) Britton & Rose. I emailed the editor of Kew about the difference and he told me that is correct because George Gardner named it a few weeks earlier than Hooker. He said George Gardener first named and described the species as Cereus russellianus Gardner in L’Horticulteur Universel in 1839. He sent a link to the publication. The IPNI (International Plant Names Index) lists Cereus russellianus Gardener ex Hook as named and described in Botanical Magazine in 1839. That means Mr. Hooker wrote about it using Mr. Gardners’ name and description giving him the credit. IPNI also says the name and description of the latter was nom. inval. meaning it was invalidly published… Then Mr. Hooker completely changes the name a few weeks later. Hmmm… Well, that is a little useless information for you. 

Now considered a synonym, these plants are commonly sold under the name Schlumbergera bridgesii. Schlumbergera bridgesii (Lem.) Loefgr. was named and described as such by Johan Albert Constantin Löfgren in Archivos (Arquivos) do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro in 1918. It was first named Epiphyllum bridgesii by (Antoine) Charles Lemaire in L’Illustration Horticole in 1861.

The genus, Schlumbergera Lem., was named and described by (Antoine) Charles Lemaire in Revue Horticole in 1858.

As of 12-10-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 7 accepted species of Schlumbergera. It is a member of the plant family Cactaceae with 150 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AND GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.

I became interested in Schlumbergera while doing some further research on my Schlumbergera truncata. I was given a few different colors from Ruth Wager at Wagler Greenhouse (we trade plants) in October (2019). As I was getting ready to leave she said she had a different one in the back that has different flowers. She said it flowers around Easter. WELL, I had done enough research about Schlumbergera to know what that meant… I followed her and she gave me a pot with three cuttings of genuine Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri. Well, that name changed from Hatiora gaertneri to Schlumbergera gaertneri then back to Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri…

I thought it was only fitting that I should also have a Schlumbergera russelliana as well so I got on Ebay to have a look. I found a good listing for Schlumbergera bridgesii from a seller called Succulent Depot, so I put it in my shopping cart and browsed the store to see what else they had. I wound up purchasing a Mammillaria senilis and a Parodia werneri as well. Schlumbergera bridgesii is a synonym of Schlumbergera russelliana and Parodia werneri is a synonym of Parodia crassigibba. At least the name for Mammillaria senilis was correct.

The plants arrived very well-packed and in perfect condition on November 20 (2020).

In the above photo, you can see the segments of the Schlumbergera russelliana have scalloped edges. There are areoles on top of the segments as well as in the axils along the edges which have a few bristles. The areoles on top of the segments are where new segments and flowers emerge.

There were five very nice rooted cuttings so I put three in one pot and two in another. I gave the pot of two to Mrs. Wagler.

Schlumbergera species are endemic to south and southeast Brazil. Schlumbergera russelliana are native to a small area of the coastal mountains in Rio de Janeiro in southern Brazil where they grow at an altitude of 4,600-6,900 feet (1,400-2,100 meters) above sea level where they grow on trees. The species was discovered by George Gardner in 1837 (who first named it Cereus russellianus as I wrote about earlier).

Schlumbergera russelliana were crossed mainly with Schlumbergera truncata and are referred to as S. × buckleyi (T.Moore) Tjaden or S. Buckleyi Group. Most of the plants found in retail stores are likely hybrids. It is hard to say whether the plants I ordered are the species or a hybrid since they look the same…

Some people get a little confused about what species is the “true” Christmas Cactus while others don’t really pay much attention. They think it is strange, however, when they bring plants home that are flowering at Christmas time, but the following year and thereafter they start budding in late October and flower in November. That is because growers control the flowering with light and temperature. There are two main species, and their hybrids, that flower during the holiday season. Schlumbergera russelliana and its hybrids, known as the Buckleyi Group, are usually considered Christmas Cactus because they supposedly flower a little later than Schlumbergera truncata and its hybrids. Schlumbergera truncata are considered Thanksgiving Cactus or Holiday Cactus and are supposed to flower a little ahead of Schlumbergera russelliana.

You can tell the difference between Schlumbergera russelliana (and its hybrids) and Schlumbergera truncata (and its hybrids). Schlumbergera russelliana has segments (cladodes) that are scalloped while those of the Schlumbergera truncata are “hooked”. Both have areoles in the axils along the margins as well as on top of the segments. You may notice a few bristles that usually fall off with age.

This close-up photo isn’t that great, but you can see a few bristles coming from the areoles along the edge of the segments and on top.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Southeastern Brazil
Zones: USDA Zones 10b-11 (35 to 40° F)
Size: 12-24” or thereabouts… 
*Light: Light to part shade. Never in full sun.
**Soil: Well-drained potting soil. These plants grow in trees and on rocks in their native habitat so they may prefer a mix similar to other epiphytic plants such as bromeliads and orchids. A 50/50 mix of Miracle Grow Potting Soil and Pumice would be great which is what I use. You can find pumice online at General Pumice
***Water: Water when soil is almost dry. Prefers consistently damp soil, not wet, when flowering. Water less often during the winter.

*Light: Schlumbergera should not be grown in full sun. Light to part shade is what they need. Remember, they grow in trees in their native environment.

**Soil: Basically, Schlumbergera will grow in just about any type of good potting soil with sphagnum moss (like most do). There are a lot of different recommendations online. Most recommend a potting soil similar to what is used for orchids, bromeliads, or other epiphytic plants. I normally just use Miracle Grow Potting soil amended with pumice (50/50). Most commercial greenhouses just use commercial potting soil. There are a lot of good videos on YouTube about growing Schlumbergera and some have some interesting tips about the growing medium they use.

***Water: Regular watering during the summer, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Some sites say not to let the soil completely dry out. During flowering, you will want to keep the soil moist but not wet. After flowering, some advise to hold off on watering for a couple of months. Never let your Schlumbergera sit in a saucer (under the pot) in water.

Flowering: Decreasing day length and temperature trigger flowering. Once they start to bud and flower, it is recommended NOT to move them because it could cause their flowers to drop off. Been there, done that.

Propagation: Easily propagated by stem cuttings.

I can honestly tell you I have let my Schlumbergera truncata potting soil get dry multiple times with seemingly no ill effects. BUT, if it is done repeatedly, they won’t grow properly and will loose their segments. I know because I think that is my problem. I get busy when they are outside during the summer then next thing I know they are all droopy and weird. I give them water then they perk back up. It isn’t good for them, though, and won’t flower well. 

If you want to go to the page for Schlumbergera truncata and Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, click on their names.

Unfortunately, the Schlumbergera russelliana didn’t make it. It did fine for quite a while until it died slowly but surely. I wonder if Mrs. Wagler still has hers… 

I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant. Llifle (Encyclopedia of Living Forms) link takes you to Schlumbergera x buckleyi. Their page for S. russelliana and S. bridgesii have no information. They also say S. bridgesii is a synonym of S. truncata which is incorrect. If you see I have made an error, please leave a comment or send me an email at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
LLIFLE (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIVING FORMS)
DAVE’S GARDEN
CACTIGUIDE (GENUS/ x buckleyi)