How to Get an Epiphytic Orchid Cactus to Bloom
Epiphytic orchid cacti, or epiphyllums, are not real orchids but rather members of the cactus family (Cactaceae) that are native to Central and South American rain forests. Like orchids, they produce stunning flowers and live on the surface of other plants. The orchid cactus is a good houseplant in all parts of the United States and it enjoys being outdoors in the warmer months. If you grow one in a pot, you can keep it indoors in the winter and outdoors in the spring and summer---it will reward you with beautiful large flowers from April to July if you follow a few simple steps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Maintain a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, but never below 46 degrees. Higher winter temperatures will prevent these plants from blooming in the spring. In the summer, orchid cacti can tolerate temperatures up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Provide high humidity (between 50 and 80 percent) and filtered sunlight for your orchid cactus. Place your potted epiphyllum on a saucer filled with pebbles and keep them moist to provide the humidity the plants need.
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Keep your epiphyllum moist but not soggy. Water it as you would most houseplants---usually once per week will suffice. Professional growers recommend soft water or rain water.
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Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer that has an N-P-K ratio of 5-1-4 every time you water this plant, beginning in early spring until fall. Do not fertilize it in the winter months.
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Watch for new buds beginning in April on plants that are from one to four years old. When you see them, pinch off new leaves that can be starting to grow with the flower buds---doing this will give the flowers more space and allow them to grow larger.
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Tips & Warnings
Flowers typically last from one night up to several days. You can move your epiphyllum indoors when it is blooming so that you can appreciate its beauty. Commercial potting soil is suitable for growing your epiphyllum. Add a little sand, perlite or bark to help the texture and water-holding capability.
Control scale insects, snails and mealybugs, if they attack, with organic methods such as insecticidal soap or beer traps.
