Cultural Notes
Epiphyllum are plants which would in the wild grow on trees under a canopy of dappled shade but in heat. They originate from rain forests but will tolerate a wide range of conditions other than cold and can get scorched by too much direct sunlight. They are indoor plants in Europe. They are known as Orchid flowered cacti and are grown throughout the world. New Hybrids are being grown all the time. Whilst their flowers are not long lived lasting between 3 days and a couple of weeks they are simply superb and some have scent just for an added bonus. The flowers range in size from a couple of inches across such as with Dr Rudi Dorch to dinner plate size as in Myra.
Epiphyllum are generally easy to grow they need well drained growing medium I use one part sand one part peat and one part soil, and one part (if you can get it) rotted leaf mould . Anything that drains well is ok such as peas shingle, they also need either a slow release fertilizer or regular feeding throughout the growing season. They will grow all the time given the right conditions but they slow down or stop during the winter months. Epiphyllum’s stems go yellow if they run out of food.
Epiphyllum like being pot bound. If you have bought one or more of my rooted cuttings they normally they are ready to be potted into the next size of pot which should be 4-6 inches. This is likely to be the plants home for at least two or three years.
During the summer they need to be watered once a week but during the winter they should be watered when they are dry this is usually once every other week. They can rot off so be careful when watering during the winter months. Less is generally more. Connie Mayer needs to be kept pretty dry during the winter otherwise it will rot off she is just a bit temperamental but otherwise wonderful.
If they don’t get enough light they produce grow which is thin and spindly so make sure they enjoy a good level of light in a green house or on a bright windowsill.
Depending on the cultivar will depend how long they take to get to flowering size some will in the second year after being grown from a cutting, others will not flower until years three and four. They need plenty of light to harden the stems which will bare the brilliant orchid like flowers in spring and generally early summer.
Don’t put your Epiphyllum over a radiator as it hangs down and will get scored from the heat. As long as it doesn’t touch it will be fine on a sill above but if it starts to hang then you will need to find it a new home.
Epiphyllums put up with an awful lot of abuse so they don’t need to be treated tenderly. They don’t mind drying out but if you want to get them away well you will look after them well.
Some hybrids have flowers that are long lived and stay around for two to three weeks, others have flowers which only last for 3-4 days. They are all worth the wait and you feel really graced when they come out. Make sure you have your camera to hand. Some Epiphyllum flower at night but they are generally also out the next day too. For instance Nocturn and Oxypetalum are known as night flowers but once they bloom they stay out day an night. Some have scent which and adds that little extra that your weren’t expecting.
They don’t really suffer from pests much, they are a particular favourite of slugs and snails so take normal measures to prevent them from reducing your pride and joy to a stick. They do get mealy bug which again should be treated swiftly or they burrow into the fleshy stems. Systemic insecticide generally sorts them out if this occurs that or a cotton bud dipped into white spirit will kill them.
There are many Epiphyllum enthusiasts and there are a number of websites about them generally in America. I am writing one which will be launched sometime this spring. The best free website to join is www.Epiforums.com I am also happy to get emails about Epiphyllums and how the plants you have purchased are doing.
My email address is Mike3801@hotmail.com If you would like information about the website email me and when it is up and running I will let you know.
I am also writing a book about them which I hope will be a bit like an A-Z but I have no idea when I will complete it.
Thank you for your interest in Epiphyllums and I hope they do well for you.
Regards
Mike Burridge
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