Thanks for the info Mike! Good to know!

DavidLMO said:

Thanks for all that info Paul. What is metho?

And G'day to you too mate.

And G'day to all readers on this Australia Day, 26th January.

David, metho is methylated spirits and it was recommended to me to dip the (rooting) end in 100% metho.In this way you don't have to wait a week or so for the cut end to callus and can plant immediately.
Here are the only two epis that germinated and are 4 years old--shouldn't they be bigger?

HI Paul, I've heard seven years before seedlings bloom. I grew a bunch of seeds 7 or eight years ago and they have still not bloomed and have not really thrived. However they have converted from those round spiney branches to regular flat leaves. I wanted the challenge of going from seeds to blooms but so glad we can work with cuttings.
We don't hear from too many folks growing Epis from seeds. Would be nice to hear from others.

I have never been successful getting epi seeds to grow. I wouldn't mind trying again, but I have too many right now. Maybe in the spring or summer I can try some. One of these days, I would love to cross some.

Is there any particular Epiphyllum that would be easiest to grow for a beginner? Any recommendations for sources? They are really beautiful plants. Would like to try my hand at growing one. Thanks for any tips!

Hi Mary,

My easiest one is Grand Prize, Easter Bunny is a strong grower. If you want to send me an email with your address I can send you a cutting. I put Grand Prize cuttings in pots a couple of weeks ago so if can wait a couple of weeks I can send you rooted cuttings
Grand Prize is the one the appears against my postings
Mike

@microb
Hi Mike, I will mail you.

I was just gifted a cutting from a friend ... who is also new at epis. Do you use a special potting mix? This one had been started in a jar of water and had pretty decent roots. The whole cutting is about 8" tall - how far down would you put it in the pot?

HI Darcy,

They like a well drained soil. I use SuperSoil potting soil, which seems to vary from one bag to next. Its usually quite fiberous. I've have seen them grown in a cinder mix but good drainage is the secret. Don't let them get completely dry as they are not desert cactus, but tropical rainforest cactus. I put my cuttings in one and half to two inches. Post some pics!
Oh, depending on the type of Epi you might want to consider a hanging pot.

Good Luck

I didn't have any clue they would root in water.

Linda, That surprised me too. One of my Asian neighbors rooted them in 5 gal. buckets of water, and they thrived. Those were all large cuttings though...not the little 6" ones you buy.

I might be forced to try 1 when I repot this summer. I have some large oxypetalums I could experiment with.

Yes, Linda, the Oxypetalum and Hookerii/Strictum root easily in water, especially in warm weather. Otherwise, I use just use perlite.

That is good to know. I know I have rooted some Christmas cactus in water, but I never thought about epies.

Thanks Mike! I'll post a photo when I get back home. Never thought about there being a tropical cactus vs a desert cactus.

Hi All,
Finally got the name of my new Epi ... Epiphyllum ackermannii.




Hopefully he will like it here!

I want cuttings of that one so badly. If anyone has cuttings to share, please let me know. Perhaps we can arrange a trade.

How long should you wait before taking cuttings?

Darcy - I would say at least 2 or 3 years depending on the rate of growth. I've got some plants putting out really long branches this year so assuming the plant will also make good growth next year I could take cuttings from this years growth in say Sept or Oct next year. Best to wait until they have finished blooming. Of course this years growth should make blooms next year so want to enjoy the blooms before cutting back the branches.

Sounds like yours is a brand new cutting this year so you might not be taking cuttings for another 2 years.

Mike

Thanks Mike...Sorry @Deebie, I guess that let's me out.