Disocactus flagelliformis Rat Tail Cactus

[johnstephen29]

Here is my Rat Tail Cactus getting ready to flower, I will post another pic when the buds open.

[johnstephen29]

Hi here is my plant in flower, the flowers are very similar to Christmas cactus. Are they related in some way?

[Carl]

Hi John,

I know your post is a couple of months old now but I thought I would answer your question anyway, your plant is not closely related to Schlumbergera they are from different parts of the cactus family your Disocactus flagelliformis being a member of the Hylocereeae tribe and Schlumbergera being a member of the Rhipsalideae tribe the similarity is probably because they both have Zygomorphic flowers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floral_symmetry

[Maggi Young]

Welcome, Carl, good to have another "fat-plant lover" here. 

[johnstephen29]

Hi Carl thanks for the reply, i have read the wikipedia page, i though what it had to say really interesting. Do you have many cactus plants?

[Carl]

Hi Carl thanks for the reply, i have read the wikipedia page, i though what it had to say really interesting. Do you have many cactus plants?

I have about 400 or so epihytic cactus including Schlumbergera, Hatiora, Rhipsalis, Lepismium etc. and Epiphyllum, Disocactus, Pseudorhipsalis, Selenicereus etc. so only a few