{"product_id":"olga-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-olga","title":"Olga Christmas Cactus - Schlumbergera truncata 'Olga'","description":"\u003cp\u003eOlga Christmas Cactus (\u003cem\u003eSchlumbergera truncata\u003c\/em\u003e 'Olga') is the warm-toned one, with flowers in shades of ruby, rose and coral red. The plant is a fountain of arching, jointed stems about 40cm high and wide, and the curled, ribbon-like blooms open at the tips through winter. It is easy to keep and slow to wear out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarm, glowing colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruby, rose and coral shades blend on the one flower, so the colour looks richer than a flat red.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlooms in the cold months.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shiny buds unfurl into ribbon-like flowers, giving you colour through winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong lived.\u003c\/strong\u003e Old clumps in full flower are something to see, and Olga is one to keep and pass on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHonest about its needs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrinkled leaves tell you the plant is dry or too hot, and a missed watering is not a disaster.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet friendly.\u003c\/strong\u003e Christmas cactus is not toxic to cats or dogs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVerandahs and covered patios.\u003c\/strong\u003e In frost-free climates a basket of Olga under cover brings strong colour to winter seating. Keep it in dappled light, out of direct sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoor pots on a stand.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tall pot lifts the arching stems so the flowers sit at eye level. A plain pot lets the coral red do the talking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the fork of a tree.\u003c\/strong\u003e In tropical gardens it can be secured into a tree and grown like a bromeliad or bird's nest fern, as it grows in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Olga Christmas Cactus in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Good light, out of direct sun. Olga is frost tender and must stay above 10°C. Tropical, subtropical and sheltered warm temperate gardens can grow it outside under cover. Everywhere else it is a houseplant, and a very good one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A gritty compost mix or very free-draining soil. It does not tolerate soggy ground, so use a pot with plenty of drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water when the mix dries out, a little more often in hot weather, with a light mist over the leaves. After flowering it prefers a cooler rest below 18°C with less water. As the weather warms, water more and feed with a liquid fertiliser while new growth comes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No annual pruning. Twist off a few segments after flowering to keep the plant branching and to make cuttings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Olga Christmas Cactus as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and not in flower, so allow a year or two for the clump to build. Pot it into a free-draining mix and let it settle in bright, indirect light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock is grown for us and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/succulents\"\u003eMore succulents for pots and baskets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/indoor-flowering-plants\"\u003eFlowering plants for indoors\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-balconies\"\u003ePlants for balconies and patios\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-repot-your-plants-like-a-pro\"\u003eHow to repot a plant like a pro\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater when the mix has dried, a little more often in hot weather and less during its cooler rest after flowering. If the leaves wrinkle, check whether it is too dry or too hot before you water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a hanging basket?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it is one of the best plants for one. The arching stems hang over the edge, and the flowers open at the tips where you can see them. Keep it in bright, indirect light and out of frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it really a cactus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot in the desert sense. It is more like a succulent, and in the wild it grows like a bromeliad or bird's nest fern, so it likes a gritty, airy mix rather than sand and baking sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790879752511,"sku":"SCH-TRU-OLGA-tube","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/olga-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-olga.jpg?v=1792211027","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/olga-christmas-cactus-schlumbergera-truncata-olga","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}