Genus Epiphyllum: Orchid Cacti

[Mercedes Benzene]

I just received some more rooted cuttings today in the mail. This brings my collection to 11 different Epiphyllum species/hybrids. Here's a pic of them in my dorm window.

 

The woman who kindly sent me the new Epi cuttings also threw in a couple other succulents.

 

A Note On: A growing Epiphyllum family.

MB

[Mercedes Benzene]

It's spring! Which means that there is a ton of new growth on my epies!

In addition, I've decided to try out a "beer fertilizer" that veteran Epiphyllum-lovers swear by.

 

Apparently it makes the plants go wild... and I'm sure that it works equally well for many types of plants, so I thought I'd share it with you all

 

Here's the formula:

12 oz of beer.

1/2 cup plain household ammonia

1 cup Epsom Salts

2 cups of water

 

1 Tbsp of this formula is added to a gallon of water, and used once every 2 weeks during the summer.

 

I ended up using Guinness Stout. Results to follow!

 

MB

[Mercedes Benzene]

I used the fertilizer for the first time today while watering my plants.

 

I'm hoping to take some pictures to document any miraculous changes that occur. :blink:

:confused:

[Mercedes Benzene]

Well, there's plenty of new spring/summer growth on a number of my plants. I do think that the fertilizer is helping, but I do have some younger cuttings that are basically just sitting there. Here are a couple shots.

 

The first are some of my younger plants, as well as my oldest (my E. Oxypetalum).

 

The second is a shot of the plants that I have outside right now. They seem to be enjoying the heat and sun, but I need to come up with a solution to protect them from freak thunderstorms/rain showers. I don't want to have to keep lugging them inside whenever there's a chance of rain. Also, in the back of the shot is a cryptocereus anthonyanus.

 

 

[Mercedes Benzene]

In the last couple days, my collection of Epis has reached 22 potted specimens as well as about 5 other potted succulents.

Aside from multiple cuttings, I also received a large, mature plant. This hybrid's name is Epiphyllum Dracula. It's largest growth is a meter tall, root to tip. I decided to use a tomato cage to keep its growth contained and upright.

 

If anyone wants any cuttings, let me know. :surprise:

 

[mattslandscape]

Epiphyllums and Hylocereus are two separate types but there both easy to grow. You can find many cuttings and plants of both.

[maikeru]

In the last couple days, my collection of Epis has reached 22 potted specimens as well as about 5 other potted succulents.

Aside from multiple cuttings, I also received a large, mature plant. This hybrid's name is Epiphyllum Dracula. It's largest growth is a meter tall, root to tip. I decided to use a tomato cage to keep its growth contained and upright.

 

If anyone wants any cuttings, let me know. :)

 

 

If you could spare any cuttings, please let me know, Mercedes Benzene. I'd like to give these a go. Do they tolerate cold (but not freezing) well? I have an indoor garden room where I think they might flourish, but it's not heated. So far I've been growing indoor cool-weather veggies and greens.

[mattslandscape]

They grow indoors as long as you have bright light, less light/almost zero water in winter and they can be put ( forced) into dormancy until spring. Better if DRACULA is grown in a hanging basket though.

[Mercedes Benzene]

If you could spare any cuttings, please let me know, Mercedes Benzene. I'd like to give these a go. Do they tolerate cold (but not freezing) well? I have an indoor garden room where I think they might flourish, but it's not heated. So far I've been growing indoor cool-weather veggies and greens.

 

They are generally comfortable with low 60s during the winter (they like a period of hibernation), so they may be fine in your garden room. Where do you live? I worry about cuttings not surviving a trip in the mail during the winter. I'd be happy to send you some in the spring though. :)

[maikeru]

They are generally comfortable with low 60s during the winter (they like a period of hibernation), so they may be fine in your garden room. Where do you live? I worry about cuttings not surviving a trip in the mail during the winter. I'd be happy to send you some in the spring though.

 

I'm in Utah, close by the Rockies. We get (and have been getting) cold winters here. Spring would be fine, just another few months away. :)