Easter Cactus

Although cacti belonging to the tribe Rhipsalideae are quite distinct in appearance and habit from other cacti, as they grow on trees or rocks as epiphytes or lithophytes, for a long time there has been confusion as to how the species should be placed into genera. Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri was first described in 1884 by Eduard von Regel as the variety gaertneri of Epiphyllum russellianum (now Schlumbergera russelliana). The name honours one of the Gaertner family, early settlers in Blumenau, Brazil. The species has had a complex taxonomic history. In 1889, William Watson elevated it to the full species Epiphyllum gaertneri and in 1913, Nathaniel Britton and Josephy Rose transferred it to Schlumbergera as S. gaertneri. as well as Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri.

Under the name Easter cactus or Whitsun cactus, Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its scarlet flowers. Its common names reflect the period in which it flowers in the Northern Hemisphere, namely late Spring. It has been artificially crossed with a pink-flowered species, Rhipsalidopsis rosea, to form the hybrid Rhipsalidopsis × graeseri, cultivars of which have flowers in a wider range of colours. The Easter cactus is considered more difficult to grow than the Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus (cultivars and hybrids of Schlumbergera). * Watering The Easter cactus is said to respond badly to over- or under-watering, e.g. by losing stem segments; continuously moist soil is recommended. * Propagation Stem segments may be removed in late Spring and the cut surface allowed to dry out before being placed in slightly moist soil.