Did you do it that not all cacti grow in the desert ? Today ’s issue is an example of a jungle cactus , which are characterized by their unconditional foliage , lack of spines , and breathtaking heyday .
Meet Epiphyllum , an epiphytic South American native also ( quite befittingly ) known as the orchid cactus .
The members of this genus are popular in the houseplant pursuit and easy enough to grow , but it ’s important to remember you ca n’t treat them like you would a desert cactus .
Here ’s everything you need to know about Epiphyllum cactus concern and how to ensure yours thrives and even bloom in your home !
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About Epiphyllum
Description
Jungle cacti like the genus Epiphyllum can be recognized by their unusual foliage . Unlike their desert cactus cousins , which incline to be orotund and plump in purchase order to belittle control surface area and maintain urine , these jungle dwellers sport segmented sarcoid leaf . That explains why they ’re also call foliage cacti !
Some hobo camp cacti are terrestrial ( they grow in dirt ) , but many , including Epiphyllum , are epiphytic . This intend they naturally grow on trees in a non - parasitical manner , climbing their way up their host ’s trunk in search of more light . ( Other epiphytic houseplants you might be familiar with includeTillandsias , Hoyas , andRhipsalis . )
One thing many people do n’t realize about cacti is that they ’re lush pants , and many species ofcactus have beautiful flowers . hobo camp cacti are no exception , with theChristmas cactusand Easter cactus being two of the most popular examples .
But sorry , holiday cacti : when it comes to flowers , Epiphyllum takes the cake for me .
Epiphyllum is n’t just call in the orchid cactus because ( like many orchid species ) it ’s epiphytic . The name really refers mostly to the species ’ content to produce some of the most arresting flowers in the Cactaceae family !
Their blooming are palm - sized , naturally white but sometimes orange , yellow or pink in intercrossed sort , and give off a fantastic fragrance .
Natural habitat
The genus Epiphyllum is course found in Central and South America , from as far north as Mexico all the way down to Argentina in some cases . It ’s also an introduced genus in a bunch of other place around the world , particularly in China .
As cite , in their natural habitat , orchid cacti mostly grow on Tree ( although some can also be lithophytes , meaning they grow on rocks ) . It ’s not a surprise , then , that they ’re mostly encounter in forested geographical zone . These can motley from tropical to subtropical , mountainous to lowland , and wet to merely moist — as long as there are Tree for the cacti to grow on , they ’ll boom .
Epiphyllum ’s nighttime - blooming nature , white blooms , and strong aroma give us proficient clues as to what their natural pollinator are . Rather than being pollinated by bees , like many plants that open their flowers during the mean solar day , the orchid cactus appear to swear on sphinx moth ( class Sphingidae ) to fertilize its flowers . These moth are noted to have a peculiar taste for pale - colored efflorescence and sweet odour .
TheIUCNconsiders most mintage of Epiphyllum to be of Least headache . It does observe that habitat loss , especially due to agriculture , has definitely affected wild populations .
Uses and cultural significance
The main ground ( indoor ) gardening enthusiasts love to grow Epiphyllum cacti should be clear by now : few houseplants can flummox this metal money when it comes to flowers . But that ’s really not the only use of goods and services for these epiphytic cacti !
First off , as a fellow member of the kin Hylocereeae , Epiphyllum is closely related to the dragonfruit cactus ( Selenicereus undatus ) . pollenate orchid cactus flowers will produce hopeful pink fruit that expect just like mini dragonfruits when you cut them open . Some of them sample pretty good , others not so much , but they ’re all technically edible .
I had the opportunity to stress the fruits of the Monstrose cultivar of Epiphyllum hookeri guatemalense myself ; they were a picayune bland but pleasant enough !
Aside from their edible fruit , orchid cacti also feature in traditional medical specialty in various Asian countries , including Malaysia , Vietnam , China , and India . Their supposed healing properties are say to alleviate a whole range of ailments , from urinary tract infections to coughing and heart issues . They ’ve also historically been used in wound healing .
Types of Epiphyllum
The genus Epiphyllum is not a specially large one . There are currently 10 recognised species . Most of these are grown as houseplants , although some are more vulgar in the hobby than others .
Where to buy Epiphyllum flora :
Will the real Epiphyllum please stand up?
Like many other pop houseplant , the genus Epiphyllum is a bit of a taxonomic mass . It used to contain a clustering of extra species , but many of these have been determined to belong to to other genus , especially Disocactus .
The most well - known deterrent example is the popularDisocactus anguliger , formerly experience ( and still often referred to as ) orchid cactus anguliger : the zig or fishbone cactus .
There ’s also D. crenatus ( formerly E. crenatum , a parent plant for many of the popular Epiphyllum loanblend ) , D. ackermannii ( formerly E. ackermannii , grown for its beautiful red blossom ) and D. phyllantoides ( formerly Epiphyllum ‘ German Empress ’ , also ordinarily used for the creation of newfangled hybrids ) .
In addition to plant life being act from Epiphyllum to Disocactus , the same affair also sometimes happens the other room around . The cactus now known as Epiphyllum chrysocardium , which we discussed above , belong to two different genera before end up where it is now !
With genetic research constantly reveal more information about how plant are related to each other , it remains to be see how many more species in the Hylocereeae tribe of cacti will eventually end up being moved around and rename .
Cultivars and hybrids
As with many other houseplant species , selective culture and crossbreeding of Epiphyllum cacti have lead to the creation of literally hundreds of different cultivars . All have slimly different blossom vividness , shapes , and petal numbers , or sometimes unusual foliage .
It has to be said that , thanks to the confusion about Epiphyllum vs. Disocactus , it ’s not always certain whether a cultivar or hybrid is even really an Epiphyllum . Different species in the Hylocereeae tribe can be get over , so it can be a challenge to keep track !
Still , most of these plants should grow fine if you treat them as Epiphyllums .
A few of the most popular Epiphyllum miscellanea that you may do across at your local plant store include :
you’re able to see a more gross list of Epiphyllums over atEpiphyllum.online , include quirkily - make specimen such as ‘ Dracula Meets A Virgin ’ , ‘ Beyoncé ’ , and ‘ Yes He Is pop off ’ .
Caring for Epiphyllum
Light and temperature
Desert cacti are huge Lord’s Day lovers . hobo camp mixed bag , like the orchid cactus , also like good deal of light .
However , since they of course pass under the rainforest canopy , where the harshest sun lean to be shaded out by taller Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , they choose vivid collateral firing .
Indoors , you could come out your Epiphyllum next to any window , as it ’s unlikely to obtain enough sun for it to burn . If you maturate yours outside during the summer month or even year - round , though , you ’ll have to provide it with a somewhat shaded location .
Epiphyllums like warmness , but it ’s crucial for them to be exposed to cooler temperature during the winter months as well . This stimulates bud constitution , facilitate to guarantee striking blooms during former summer . Just be indisputable not to let things leave out below 50 ° farad , and definitely never expose your orchid cactus to freezing temps .
Water and humidity
If you ’d like to mature an Epiphyllum , forget what you know about how much and how often to irrigate a cactus . Unlike their desert cousins , hobo camp cacti do n’t like for their grunge to dry out fully . The habitat they naturally occur in can get passably sozzled , after all !
It ’s best to keep the soil lightly moist . During the summer grow month , you’re able to water once the spiritualist has gone about a third of the room dry . In winter , when your Epiphyllum is probably not actively growing , you may await a bit longer .
In terms of humidity , these plants are n’t the finicky . Still , if the melodic line moisture levels in your home regularly shine below 40 percent , it may be a in effect idea to lead a humidifier . Most tropic houseplant appreciate this , not just orchid cacti !
Soil and planting
When choosing a soil mixture for your Epiphyllum , avoid anything too heavy . Purepotting soilisn’t really appropriate for a plant life that ’s naturally an epiphyte : its roots are n’t used to being buried in a dense mass medium .
Instead , go for something lighter and well - draining . A mix of 75 percent potting dirt and 25 percentperliteor pumice should work well . If the concoction is still not airy enough for your liking , you may even sum up some ok orchid bark or other game fabric .
When it come to planting an orchid cactus , as with the majority of houseplants , it ’s authoritative to choose a pot that has a drainage hole in the bottom .
Although Epiphyllums naturally climb — and giving yours something like a nice tree diagram branch to grow on would make for a pretty awe-inspiring display — most houseplant enthusiasts instead prefer for hanging pots . As the flora grows , its leaf will spill over the edges , sometimes arise incredibly long . This results in a pretty striking display when it at long last bloom .
Recommended mathematical product for Epiphyllum care :
Fertilizing
Although these cacti are used to produce in comparatively nutrient - poor surroundings , they do benefit from the program of some diluted swimming houseplant plant food or specialty cactus food during the grow season . Once a month should do the deception .
Some Epiphyllum agriculturalist also swear by a dose of low - nitrogen fertilizer during late wintertime for stir flower . In my experience this is n’t necessary , but you could always give it a try ! Just do n’t overdo it with the fertilizer while your flora is n’t actively farm .
Recommended fertilizer for Epiphyllum plants :
Pruning
Pruning an orchid cactus is n’t usually necessary , although sometimes you may desire to do so if the leaves become too long and seem like they might damp .
As you ’ll witness out in the part on propagation below , any piece you prune can be used to grow fresh Epiphyllums .
Dividing or repotting
If your Epiphyllum has outgrown its container but you do n’t want to repot it , it is possible to fraction it instead . Just take the plant out of its pot and softly untangle the root .
Different sections will usually come loose by themselves as you do this , but otherwise , you may make a vertical cut through the root bollock for divide the cactus in as many sections as you ’d like .
Pot each section into a separate container with raw Epiphyllum soil and voilà ! They should keep growing as usual , since they do n’t have to drop energy recrudesce a ascendant system .
Prefer repotting instead ? Go one pot size up , and do n’t draw a blank to give your plant some sweet soil while you ’re at it .
Propagating Epiphyllum
Thanks to the way they grow , circularize an Epiphyllum is a breeze . folio extension is the promiscuous way of life to multiply this metal money , and amazingly , you do n’t even need an entire leaf . Just a section ( minimum of 3 inch ) is all it takes !
If you ’d care to enlarge your orchid cactus compendium or desire to deal the love with family and friends , all you ’ll need is a pair of discriminating , clean scissor grip and one or multiple pocket-sized plantation owner occupy with light and airy grime .
Snip one or multiple leaves or leaf sections and forget them in a ironical place for up to a workweek so the cut can calloused over . Then , just insert the sections into the pots you train in such a style that they ca n’t fall over .
After leaving the cuttings alone for the first few daytime , you may start watering regularly using a spray bottle . They ’ll root in no time !
Once you see young growth appear on the top ending of the leaf , you ’ll have intercourse your multiplication endeavour has been a succeeder .
Common questions about Epiphyllum care
Is Epiphyllum toxic to cats and dogs?
No , orchidaceous plant cacti are not take toxic to cats and dogs , nor to mankind . If your furred champion eats a substantial luck of your plant , some vomiting or looseness is to be await , but they should be back to their old ego soon .
How long do Epiphyllum blooms last?
If you need to see your Epiphyllum in full exhibit , you ’ll have to go camping next to the plant at night as shortly as the buds seem like they might open soon . As mentioned , the flush open up after darkness , and they only last a day or two !
If you missed a flower , do n’t worry too much . These cacti ordinarily campaign out a bunch of blooms throughout the summer months , so you ’re likely to get another opportunity soon .
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