The growing popularity of the epiphyllum hybrids, also called phyllocactus, and popularly known as orchid cactus, has brought about some extensive study of their culture and an enthusiastic kind of zeal in hybridizing for new and better varieties. A commercial dealer propounded the name orchid cactus for its obvious “trade-pulling” power. However, epiphyllums bear no relationship to the orchids beyond the fact they both are epiphytic in growth habit and have exquisite flowers.
Blooms last for several days after fully opening and may be had in a wide range of color and color combinations with the exception of clear blue. Some of them are small-flowered, while others reach monstrous proportions of 11 or more inches in diameter during the flowering season of April, May and June.
Cultural Methods
Epiphyllums prefer partial shade under conditions suitable for begonias or gesneriads, but must not have excessive moisture at their roots. They can withstand cold temperatures, as much as a degree or two below freezing.
A good potting soil formula is one Composed of one-half well-decomposed leaf-mold with the other half made up of equal parts of coarse gravel, garden loam and well-rotted manure to which bonemeal is added at the rate of a teaspoonful for each four-inch pot of mixture.
If you buy rooted cuttings, pot them up in slightly moist potting soil. Do not water for several days whenever the roots have been disturbed. This recommendation applies also after repotting.
Unrooted Cutting
Unrooted cuttings should go into a slightly-moist mixture of one-half part each of coarse peatmoss and sand. During this time, if possible, give them a shady, humid place. After the third week begin to water lightly. The cuttings may be allowed to remain in the peat and sand mixture for as long as a year without injury. However, they must not be disturbed for at least the first six months.
Since epiphyllums are in bloom only about three months of the year, we may be tempted to neglect them the rest of the time, but it is unwise to do so. When making up your potting soil for epiphyllums, never sift it. Let it remain coarse, as it is, so that it cannot pack. To allow the soil to water-log is to invite the death of your plant. Perfect, fast-drainage will prevent such an occurrence. Apply water at the top of the pot until it drains from the bottom. Then do not water again until the surface soil is definitely dry.
Epiphyllums have a relatively small root system, so do not put them in pots that are much too big. I find that tin cans make ideal containers for epiphyllums. During the Summer when the plants are put out under trees or shrubs in a protected spot, the cans do not dry out nearly so fast as the clay pots do.
Fall Is Norla Growing Season
The normal growing season of the orchid cacti is in the Fall, so do not try to discourage them. If the leaves begin to shrivel. don’t soak the plants, but rather turn the pots on their edges and sprinkle the leaves occasionally. This condition usually indicates the rest period and to water heavily would surely invite rot.
Epiphyllum hybrids fill a definite need in all plant collections. There are kinds to use as basket plants, on pedestals, for espalier treatment in limited space and for making corsages.
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