Epiphyllum Orchid Cactus Culture
The plant commonly called epiphyllum, or “epi” is a hybrid of epiphytic cacti from the jungles of Central and South America and Mexico. Epiphytic means that the plants grow on another plant. While it relies on trees for support, it does not take nutrients from the tree, so it is not parasitic. Its roots are small and fibrous and they take hold in decaying vegetative matter. They get their moisture from the humid air and tropical rains. Unlike desert cacti, the orchid cactus—which has no relation to the orchid—has no spines but may have small hairs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Propagation
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Propagate an epi by rooting 6- to 12-inch cuttings, which will ensure that you get a like plant. It is possible to grow an epi from seed, but the new plant will most likely differ from the parent plant. Rooting cuttings is very straightforward and excellent for beginners. Let the cutting cure in a cool, dry place for two weeks. Curing dries out the cutting and causes it to form a callus over the cut end, which lowers its vulnerability to rot once it is planted. Plant the cutting in moist soil and continue to withhold water for two weeks, misting every few days. Introduce water gradually. Once you have begun watering, you should never let the soil dry out.
Water
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Epis require soil that is consistently moist. It should never be soggy and it should never be allowed to dry out completely. It is acceptable to mist the plants regularly to maintain humidity levels, but each time you water, do so until water drains from the drainage holes.
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Sunlight
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Filtered sunlight is best for this jungle cactus. In nature, the plant is shaded by the upper branches of tall trees. In the home, a sunny window should provide enough light for an epi to thrive, but it shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight or to the harsh rays of afternoon sun.
Soil
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Grow an epi in a loose, quick-draining soil. About 1/3 of the soil should be a coarse material to help with drainage, such as perlite or vermiculite.
Fertilizer
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The Epiphyllum Society of America recommends feeding outdoor plants with a 10-10-10 fertilizer monthly beginning in June or just once in June if you are using a time-release fertilizer. The society recommends fertilizing again in November with a 0-10-10 to harden new growth and again in February to stimulate budding. It does not recommend fertilizing in the winter months. With this schedule, you can expect blooms up to 13 inches in diameter from February through June. The blooms last about four days and then die.
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