![]() ![]() If you buy cuttings by mail order, pot these up immediately on arrival. Keep the compost only just damp, but never completely dry.Ĭontainer maintenance Container maintenance In winter, reduce watering when you move the plants to a cooler spot. Water whenever it begins to dry out, and let the excess drain away. Wateringįrom mid-spring to late summer, water regularly to keep the compost slightly moist but not soggy. Keep the water level below the base of the container, so the compost doesn't become saturated. They need moderate to high humidity, so stand the container in a tray of damp gravel. But keep them out of strong midday sun, especially in summer, as this can scorch them. Keep them away from radiators and other heat sources, and out of cold draughts.Įpiphyllum cacti like lots of bright, filtered light. Once flower buds appear, return them to their usual position, at 15☌ (60☏) or above, where they will then bloom. In winter, move to a cooler place, at 11–14☌ (52–57☏), to encourage flowering. They are best grown as houseplants or in a heated greenhouse, in pots or hanging baskets. They can be moved temporarily outdoors in summer, into a warm, lightly shaded spot.ĭuring the growing season, from spring to autumn, they should be kept above 15☌ (60☏). See our guide to choosing healthy plants.Įpiphyllum cacti are tender, and most won't survive temperatures below 10☌ (50☏). See our guide to buying by mail order.Ī few of the most popular species, such as the rick-rack or fishbone cactus ( Epiphyllum anguliger), may be available in some garden centres or houseplant shops. They are sold as plants or as rooted or unrooted cuttings. ![]() How and what to buyĮpiphyllum cacti are mainly available from online plant suppliers, including houseplant and cacti specialists. Epiphyllum cacti are often grown in hanging baskets, where their trailing stems can be shown off to good effect.Įpiphyllum cacti resemble Christmas cacti ( Schlumbergera) and like similar growing conditions. These can be an attractive architectural feature in their own right. They are usually trailing, and can grow to 60cm (2ft) long. The succulent stems are generally long, flat and leaf-like, with scalloped edges. Individual flowers are often short-lived, lasting only a couple of days, and some open in the evening to attract night-flying pollinators. These can be various colours, including red, white, pink, purple, yellow or orange, and usually open between early spring and midsummer. They tend to be about 10–20cm (4–8in) across, but the blooms of some hybrids can reach 30cm (1ft) in diameter. There are many species and hybrids, often with spectacular, fragrant flowers. Unlike most cacti, they don't like full sun, and need humid air and regular watering. They don't take moisture or nutrients from their host tree, instead they absorb them from the damp environment and decomposing leaves that accumulate around them.Īs they naturally grow in warm, humid, shady forests, they need similar conditions when grown as houseplants. They are epiphytes, which means they grow on other plants, rather than rooting into the ground. They often cling to the branches or trunks of trees, or nestle in bark crevices or the forks of branches. ![]()
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