Epiphyllums ( Epiphyllumspp . ) are members of the cactus family . Unlike arid cacti , these cacti are tropic and aboriginal to the rainforest of Central America and South America . Also known as orchid cacti , the night - blossom flowers of these plants open for just one night .
Epiphyllum mintage can live wintertime in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zona 10 and 11 . In cooler climate , they can be cultivate indoors .
Growing Epiphyllum Cacti
In their aboriginal habitat , epiphyllums areepiphytic , which means they grow attached to tree and get their nutrients from H2O and air .
However , in polish , they can be grown in crapper and hang field goal as houseplant using a potting medium formulated for cacti and succulent . These cacti are propagated using cutting to grow raw plant life .
When choosing a container for your epiphyllums , keep in intellect that these plant will flower best when they are potbound — that is , when the stem have no more way to elaborate inside the pot . Therefore , planting orchid cactus in a small container can lead in faster blooming .
The most wide grown type of epiphyllum is the Queen of the Night ( Epiphyllum oxypetalum , zones 10 to 11 ) , which is also know by the common name Dutchman ’s piping cactus and is aboriginal toMexicoand Central America . It has oversize livid flowers that are highly fragrant .
Tip
Epiphyllums have fragrant flush that open up for a unmarried night .
orchid cactus , sometimes referred to as epis , have also been crossed with other tropic epiphytic cacti , such as those in the generaSelenicereusandDisocactus , to create orchid cactus hybrids . This character of plant ( disregarding of genus ) is sometimes referred to as " night - blooming genus Cereus . "
Care of Epiphyllum
countenance ’s take a look at how to keep an epiphyllum cactus thriving in a container .
Light
Epiphyllums should be develop where they receive partial specter or undimmed but indirect light .
Watering
When grow an epiphyllum flora , keep the etymon system moist but not waterlogged , as these works are sensitive to overwatering . You should water epiphyllum when the top third of the grime feels dry , or about once a week .
Fertilizing
epiphyllum can be feed with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer , though you should avoid fertilizers with a high nitrogen content .
Repotting
Epiphyllum plants may need to be repotted close to every seven years . It is beneficial to repot orchid cactus about a month after they are finish blossom . Newly repotted epiphyllum should not be irrigate for the first week .
When repot an orchid cactus cactus , keep in thinker that these plants produce flowers when they are potbound . Therefore , repotting into a much declamatory sess might check bloom .
Pruning
In container , epiphyllum can have a pinnacle of up to 10 feet and a breadth of about 3 foot . In some cases , the leave of absence of the works ( which are actually flattened root ) can become top grave , and if so , they should be trimmed back , or the plant should be repotted in a container that is either bombastic or heavy .
Winter Care of Epiphyllum
If grown alfresco of their hardiness range , orchid cactus cactus flora can be maintain outdoors during the summertime and in the bright indoors during the winter month . Bring these plants inside once the temperature drop to about 35 ° F .
During their winter rest full stop , orchid cactus should only be watered once a calendar month .
