Cactus Orchid
Choosing an epiphyllum can be tough since there are dwarf hanging epiphytic and other traits as well as numerous flower colors from which to choose.
Cactus orchid. Epiphyllum p f l em. The orchid cactus epiphyllum hybrid is a flowering plant thats native to central america. Growing an epiphyllum cactus outside of its native habitat is fairly simple but. Upon the leaf in greek is a genus of 19 species of epiphytic plants in the cactus family cactaceae native to central americacommon names for these species include climbing cacti orchid cacti and leaf cacti though the latter also refers to the genus pereskia.
An orchid cactus forest type cacti blooms multi petalled bright funnel shaped flowers that spread out from 4 6 inches and the foliage can get a little out of control. Rather it sustains life through the air rather than from the vegetation near it. Epiphyllum guatemalense monstrose. It yields beautiful flowers that typically open in the evening and bloom for a few days.
Show it off in a hanging basket and allow the long stems to cascade over the pot. Big cup shaped blooms in gorgeous colors make orchid cactus a joy to grow. While the orchid cactus can be a bit more difficult to grow. Orchid cactus have flat fleshy stems with serrated edges.
Total darkness at night is a plus. The stems are broad and flat 15 cm broad 35 mm thick usually with lobed edges. An orchid cactus scientific name is epiphyllum needs to go dormant for about 8 10 weeks during the winter months if you hope to have it bloom the next year. Curly orchid cactus care.
Orchid cactus stems are broad and flat with serrated edges. The epiphyllum cactus is a native brazilian plant that grows in the sides and forks of trees in the canopies of the rain forests. Its botanical name is epiphyllum which is an epiphyte. They grow in tropical areas on trees where their roots can feast on the decaying organic matter nearby.
Theyll grow to 2 ft 60 cm long and about 2 in 5 cm wide. This is a tropical cactus and will need to be watered frequently. The orchid cactus has a rich history as an ornamental accent plant enjoying popularity amongst gardeners and homeowners alike since the 1800s. The cactus is prized for its vibrant exotic blossoms that appear each year in the springtime and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors.
Orchid cactus has fleshy succulent like stems and it is most commonly grown indoors as a houseplant due to its sensitivity to cold. Well today im adding another to the epiphyllum gang. So during the winter lower the temperature to around 45 50 degrees if possible water sparingly and do not fertilize. The orchid cactus blooms in large showy bright colored flowers typically from april.
If youve read my past plant posts you might remember my care posts for epiphyllum oxypetalum night blooming cereus and epiphyllum anguligerselenicereus anthonyanus ric rac cactus.