Hello there,
I just discovered the joys of the epi and acquired a few cuttings from here and there... and Ebay LOL. Anyway everyone seems to have their "way" that they root them. I was wondering if a few people would share with me what works for them? Thanks Bunches Rhapsody

Hi Rhapsody616 ! I am new here and this is my first post. I am from Argentina.
I've been growing epiphyllums for some time and I've started from cuttings most of them. They are not difficult at all. I only put them in a porous soil, and don't water it until about a week. Until it begins to root. Then, I begin to moist the soil gently.
Here are some of my plants
Epiphyllum summer carnival


Epiphyllum princess linda

And gorgeous Epis they are!

Very beautiful Ceci! And I agree I've found these plants very easy to get startings from but haven't been able to get mine to bloom...keeping at it though!

ceci said:Hi Rhapsody616 ! I am new here and this is my first post. I am from Argentina.
I've been growing epiphyllums for some time and I've started from cuttings most of them. They are not difficult at all. I only put them in a porous soil, and don't water it until about a week. Until it begins to root. Then, I begin to moist the soil gently.
Here are some of my plants
Epiphyllum summer carnival


Epiphyllum princess linda

• Hybrid Epiphyllum (Epiphyllum 'Princess Linda')
• Uploaded by ceci

Well first welcome to the group!! Second thank you for your insight on rooting the epi's. Do you use rooting hormone at all or yet put them in moist soil and walk away for a week? Your's are so pretty. I hope I do as well!!

Thank you all!

Rhapsody616: I don't use rooting hormone. I have used it from time to time but I never noticed any difference.
The only care you must take is not to have them too wet or they may rot

The one plant I have was one of the broader leaved species, and it was incredibly easy to root - a few pieces I just laid on the soil so that the mid-rib was in contact, the others I just stuck in the soil about a half-to-one inch. They rooted completely within about 2 weeks, and that was after I had abused them for a requisite time >smile< .

sheryl said:The one plant I have was one of the broader leaved species, and it was incredibly easy to root - a few pieces I just laid on the soil so that the mid-rib was in contact, the others I just stuck in the soil about a half-to-one inch. They rooted completely within about 2 weeks, and that was after I had abused them for a requisite time >smile< .

On top of the soil!?! Not that brave yet!

Here is a odd ball question. From time to time I have dipped the ends of a plant in wax to seal the end so I can plant right away. Works great with my Dragon Fruit. What do you think about the wax method?

Also, what do you all do to get them to bloom? Mine cuttings are a year old, is it that they're too young still?

Rhapsody, I have never used wax to seal the ends. I can't tell you anything about this. Perhaps I'll give it a try next time....

Greg, a year is too soon. They usually begin to bloom after two years old.

Oh good...I couldn't imagine not being a good plant dad! I'll patiently wait!!

LOL, Greg.

I tend to think the wax is over-kill; succulents have a system by which they seal their cuts off, called callusing. It usually happens within 48 hours to a week of cutting a piece off. It kinda reminds me of the black spray stuff they sell to seal pruning cuts on trees - now it's known to seal in bacteria and possibly damage the tree via infection.

Just my .02 cents!

sheryl said:LOL, Greg.

I tend to think the wax is over-kill; succulents have a system by which they seal their cuts off, called callusing. It usually happens within 48 hours to a week of cutting a piece off. It kinda reminds me of the black spray stuff they sell to seal pruning cuts on trees - now it's known to seal in bacteria and possibly damage the tree via infection.

Just my .02 cents!

And thank you for that 2 cents!

You are so welcome!

So why do some many sites say not to root them for 2-3 weeks? My nerves are bad... I want in the dirt!

Mmm - I'm guessing that they are either giving extra time to a plant that might not callus so easily? Not sure. My own particular brand of benign negligence might have saved me, I left mine for probably at least that long before *finally* getting them into the dirt.

Maybe someone else knows? Any Epi experts out there?

I never wait so long. I usually plant the cuttings after a week or so.
But I have received cuttings from a trading, and the package arrived a month after it was sent. All the cuttings sprouted and grew well.

I did the opposite I planted right away but didn't water for a week or so, and I hadn't pre moistened the soil, and they did great, I took maybe 12 cuttings off the momma plant and they all survived and are looking good!

Good to know. I thought 3-5 days should be good enough time for them to callus over. If they look dry it is all good! I even read one articular that suggested leaving them until they shrivel... way to long in my book. I went on to say that this will force the cutting to make roots instead of trying to grow! Hummm