By popular request: The thread "New Plant forum for Epiphyllums" in Site Talk forum

Darn! I didn't take any pictures this year.

Hi, I'm a newbie to growing Epis and am looking forward to your sharing your expertise. The only one that I've had to bloom so far is my E. Oxypetalum. I love the wonderful fragrance.

I'm new as well just having purchased my first Epi from a house plant sale; no idea about the variety, etc. Would love some general care tips and to see some pics. Right now I have the plant on my grow light stand which is on for 16 hours per day. Is this ok or are Epis similar to Christmas cactus in that their blooming is photo sensitive? (Not sure if that is the correct term) Also, what kind of soil do they prefer? Any tips are welcome, thanks!

I can't help with much, but they are epiphyts. In nature they grow on trees, so need fast draining medium. I use a cactus mix, some use a mix with orchid bark. They are also tropical, so need intermediate to warm temps and filtered to bright light...no mid-day sun. They do like a cool down period, I think, and drier conditions in winter. I'm not sure about the photo sensitivity. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in here. I'm in So. California where we seldom get even a light frost, so grow mine outside all year. They are hanging from lemon and Avocado trees, which are evergreen, so have protection. In your climate they would have to spend winter indoors...no feeding until spring, then outside with only bloom food for a couple of months. I don't want to be negative, but they don't make a good houseplant, unless you have a sun room, simply because they are real estate hogs, and prefer to be hanging plants. They can get very heavy. If you have a greenhouse, or sun room they might do very well for you either hanging or on a sturdy plant stand. The only pests I have had problems with are scale and mealy bugs.

Hi Debbie,

Boy, are we at the opposite ends of the growing habit climate. Here in Hawaii they never stop growing. We bloom from April through September depending on the varieties. I grow mine in open sided greenhouses to avoid too much rain. I've been using a commercial potting soil mix with a little bark and perlite in some pots. As long as they get good drainage they do fine. My Epis do better with good airflow around them and in my experience are doing better in hanging pots than pots on the bench. I use an 8 inch plastic pot with that little plastic dome over the drain hole. It retains a little moisture in the bottom of the pot. The plants are getting really big so the weight for the hanging pot is becoming a concern over time.
I've never had luck with Christmas Cactus, so cannot compare. All I can say is that the branches are much bigger and heavier, totally different "beast". I use that word because the plants can get large and heavy with branches 4 ft long. But like I said, here in Hawaii everything seems to grow bigger. I'm an Epi fanatic so tend to ramble on. Also suffering from "no more blooms" depression while we wait for next years buds to start appearing!
Everybody has a different take on their experiences so looking forward to others giving input. Will repost pics later but look at some of the threads in "Cactus and succulents". There are lots of pics there.

Mike

Mike - Those are beautiful! I have not had any luck with Christmas Cactus either. But Epis do fine here! Go figure.

For a link about Epis, I use this link often:
http://www.theamateursdigest.c...

I'm looking for someone that wants to trade epiphyllum cuttings.

biscuitman, I'm sure there are several of us who would trade cuttings, but it would help to let us know where you are on the planet.

I'll second that!

I'll try to get some pictures posted. Its a real challenge growing epis here. We only have a 6 month growing season which means they're dormant for 6 months. All of mine are day blooming hybrids. I have them in hanging baskets under maple trees. I was introduced to them when I was stationed in CA in 1984. I've been messing with them since and still learning. I like the large blooms and the beautiful colors.

Everyone loves them, but they are tropical , and real estate hogs. How do you deal with them when dormant? I am in So. Cal. so mine live out year round, but many folks grow them In less tropical environments, and would like to know. My biggest problems here are wind, scale, and places to hang them. Microb's biggest problem is too much Rain in Hawaii. Tell us how you deal with them, please. I would be happy to send cuttings for postage...but half of mine are unnamed, and postage for anything over 6" long is expensive. For stem cuttings requires finding a long, skinny box. I have no room for more , myself.

Aloha Jim,
I would be interested in trading. Would be interested to know what colors you have. Any yellows or oranges? The medium USPS box costs about $13.00. I don't usually take cuttings from now to August because buds are coming like crazy. However I do have a few new rooted cuttings that I could box and send.How many were you thinking about. I have lots of space but sounds like your winter storage could be a challenge.
Keep the discussion going!

I hang then in my garage, in is insulated and doesn't get below 40° . I used to hang them in a basement with one 18"×30" window and believe it or not they survived and bloomed. My garage doors now have windows and face east. They get a little light. My biggest problem is comming up with a potting mix that does well in my climate and isn't to heavy for hanging baskets. I might add I take no.9 wire and make rings that fit my hanging baskets. The hangers are wire and attach to the rings. The plants get too heavy for the normal hangers.

I used to get cuttings from Rainbow Gardens in Vista, CA, but they stopped mailorder. I have "ivory brocade", "trail blazer" (pale red), "lasting beauty" , "jamboree", lavender noid , a few others that haven't bloomed. I don't know if its me, my climate or the nature of the plant but I have some that are extremely slow growers.

@biscuitman Looking forward to some photos in the future.

Biscuitman. Glad to see another epi lover here. Can't wait to see photos of your blooms. Mine are taking off this year. It's going to be a good season.

to ATP, Biscuitman. We're looking forward to hear/learn from how you overcome your challenges in growing these beautiful plants.
It's good to see you posting Linda. Keep us posted on progress of your blooms.

@Ibartoo, how are you Linda? I am still alive, 87 yrs. old and finally retired from the internet plant sales. This past summer I had a small mishap that kept me off my feet for a month and I am still doing exercises at home to learn how to walk again without a cane.
Anyhow, while I was laid up I lost everything in the greenhouse which was hundreds of plants that were going to be sold and I had some Holiday Cactus outside which I was able to rescue and bring back to life after a miserable hot and dry summer.
I thought of you the other day when my neighbor who owns a farmers market gave me a pink orchid cactus. I remembered you sending me Hookers and Vanilla Sunset.. It seems like many years ago, and they were among those I lost unfortunately. I think I will hang around here awhile and see what I have been missing.

The reason I am writing to you is to say hello and now that I am retired I am going to dabble in different plants that are hard to kill and that brought me to this thread and I saw your name. It is so nice to see a familiar face again and I want to wish you and yours health and happiness.

My little pink noid is so pretty I am sorry it does not have a name.

JB, it is great to see you. Hope you are getting better. Your pink cactus is beautiful.