Epiphilumare popularly called cactus orchids because of their beautiful flowers. About 20 species of these remarkable, thornless epiphytic cacti that grow in the treetops of tropical forests are known. Meetthe most interesting species of epiphilumand invite them to your home. We suggest how togrowing an epiphilium in a potandhow to propagate an epiphiliumat home. Here's everything you need to know about these amazing cacti!
Pyramidal epiphilum - Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Fig. pixabay.com
Epiphilum - characteristics and popular species
Epiphilum (Epiphyllum sp.) Are majestic epiphytic cacti from the tropical forests of America. In the wild,they grow in the forks of tree branches, feeding on decaying organic matterPlants form long, overhanging, flat, ribbed shoots, devoid of leaves and spines (spines are only found on young shoots). These shoots are deceptively similar to leaves.Epiphilums grow very well in housing conditions, especially their hybrids called phylocactus
Currently, epiphilum is finding its supporters again, and in flower shops and garden centers we can findinteresting species of epiphilum with surprising shoot shapes :
Epiphyllum oxypetalum- that isacropylate epiphilum , produces a dense clump of raised shoots. They are about 80 cm long and when they are really long, they hang beautifully.The greatest decoration of this plant are the incredible flowers that open at night.
Flower of the Pyramidal Epiphilium
Fig. © Agnieszka Lach
" Thanks to this, this species gained the colloquial name of the Queen of One Night, although this is not entirely true, because in a cool room flowers can stay on the plant for several days. This species of epiphilum, under careful care, sometimes flowers twice a year - in summer and winter. "
Epiphyllum anguliger- calledzigzag cactus , it is a species with a very interesting shape of shoots. The deep indentations at the edges of the shoots are arranged in such a way that they have the shape of zigzags
Cactus zigzag - Epiphyllum anguliger
Fig. © Agnieszka Lach
Epiphyllum quatemalense monstrose- this is a cactus with a surprising shape. It has strongly twisted, spiral, curved stems of a light green color. The shape of the shoots helps the plant to obtain as much light and moisture as possible.
Epiphyllum ackermannii- produces huge, showy, intense red flowers. Today it is rarely seen and often confused with the epiphilum hybrid, which received the same name.
Epiphilum - cultivation and care
Epiphilum cacti do not like full sunThey prefer warm locations (at least 15 ° C), but semi-shaded or highly diffused light. In summer, epiphilum can be grown in a shady corner of the garden or on a shady balcony. Too strong sun causes fading, discoloration and extensive burns of the shoots. However,in winter, during flowering, plants need full lighting
Soil for growing epiphiliumshould be light, porous, rich in humus and acidic (pH 4 - 4.5). The best is a mixture of leaf earth with an admixture of clay, fibrous peat and crushed bark (1: 1: 1.5), which makes the substrate more airy and permeable, and therefore very similar to the natural consistency.The bark can be replaced with perlite or crushed brick.You can also use the substrate for growing orchids , which must be mixed with the universal soil (1: 1).
Epiphilum requires frequent watering , at least once a week. Plants are watered as soon as the top layer of the substrate begins to dry out. Epiphilum should be watered frequently, but with small doses of water. In order not to overdo the substrate with moisture, you can sprinkle it instead of watering it. Long periods of drought prevent the setting of flower buds and cause other physiological disorders.Water used for watering epiphilum should be free of calcium and always at room temperatureTherefore, it is best to use dry water.
Epiphyllum laui
Fig. IMtheEyeInTheSky, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Plants create inconspicuous, thin air roots on their shoots, which help them gain moisture from the environment. Therefore, in addition to traditional watering,epiphilum should be additionally misted and ensured with high air humidity .
Epiphilum have quite high nutritional requirements and require frequent fertilization during the growing season. In order not to harm the plants,natural fertilizers should be usedfor epiphilum fertilization, e.g. liquid vermicompost or granulated manure. Fertilization is suspended in the fall. We repeat them in February, when the plants start growing again and begin to form flower buds. We start feeding the plants by spraying their shoots every other week with fertilizers diluted in water.
Suspended basketsare best suited for the cultivation of epiphilium, which are sometimes used to grow epiphytic orchids. Plants can also be grown in traditional production pots, in the walls of which oblong holes are cut. Epiphilum are perfect for growing with the Kokedama technique (in a moss ball).Plants are transplanted into a larger container every 2-3 years, preferably in August or just after flowering.
Epiphilum - care during flowering
The flowering of the epiphilium is caused by a dormant period that should last about 2 monthsTo put the plants into a dormant state, they are moved to a cool (8-12 ° C) and bright place and reduces watering - the plants are watered gently, however, taking care that the substrate does not dry out completely.
When the first flower buds begin to form , the temperature in the wintering room should be raised to approx. 18 ° C and provide as much sunlight as possible. At this time, we also gradually increase the frequency and abundance of watering and start feeding the plants. It is also important to keep the air temperature around the plants high.During the period of flower bud formation, plants must not be moved from place to place because all the buds may be shed
Epiphilum seedling
Fig. © Agnieszka Lach
Epiphilum - reproduction
Epiphilium is extremely easy to reproduce by shoot cuttingsThey are taken in late spring or late summer, cut obliquely near the thinnest point of the stem, which should be at least 10 cm long. The cuttings taken are laid flat and left for 10-14 days in a cool, dry and shady place, so that the cutting wounds are completely dry.After this time, the seedlings are gently stuck into the loose substrate and grown in shallow and wide pots. During the rooting of cuttings, the substrate should be constantly slightly moist.The rooting period of epiphilum cuttings may take up to several months .
Growing new shoot is a sign that the epiphilium has taken root
Fig. © Agnieszka Lach
The fact that reproduction was successful is proved by growing a young shoot near the cuttings (photo above). Then the seedlings can be transplanted into separate pots.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
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