Positioning
Epiphyllum cacti are tender, and most won't survive temperatures below 10°C (50°F). 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.
During the growing season, from spring to autumn, they should be kept above 15°C (60°F).
In winter, move to a cooler place, at 11–14°C (52–57°F), to encourage flowering. Once flower A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers.
Keep them away from radiators and other heat sources, and out of cold draughts.
Epiphyllum cacti like lots of bright, filtered light. But keep them out of strong midday sun, especially in summer, as this can scorch them.
They need moderate to high humidity, so stand the container in a tray of damp gravel. Keep the water level below the base of the container, so the Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
Watering
From mid-spring to late summer, water regularly to keep the compost slightly moist but not soggy. Water whenever it begins to dry out, and let the excess drain away. Don't leave plants standing in water.
In winter, reduce watering when you move the plants to a cooler spot. Keep the compost only just damp, but never completely dry.
Humidity
Epiphyllum cacti originate in tropical rainforests, so they like humid air. To raise the humidity:
- Mist the leaves regularly from spring to autumn, especially in hot, dry weather
- Stand the container in a tray of damp gravel or clay pellets. Keep the water level below the base of the container, so the compost doesn't get waterlogged
- Group several container plants together to help create a more humid micro-climate
- If growing outdoors in summer, position in a shady, sheltered spot, protected from drying winds
Feeding
To encourage strong growth, you can apply a cactus fertiliser fortnightly from early spring to autumn. Epiphyllum cacti grow naturally in a low-nutrient environment, so feed sparingly. Overly generous feeding can be damaging, rather than beneficial.
Re-potting
Epiphyllum cacti generally flower only when their roots have filled the container, so re-pot them as little as possible. If you need to move them into a new container, do it once flowering has finished, from spring to autumn, and try to avoid disturbing the roots.
Choose a container that is only slightly bigger than the rootball, as overpotting can deter flowering.
Use a loose, fast-draining compost, as prolonged dampness around the roots can lead to rotting. A standard cactus compost with added grit or Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock which, when heated to high temperatures, expands to produce lightweight, micro-porous granules. It was traditionally added to compost to aid drainage and aeration, however, its manufacture, packaging and distribution has a big environmental impact, so locally-sourced grit or gravel is now preferred.
When moving the plant, be gentle with the long trailing stems, which are easily damaged.
Position the plant in its new container at the same level it was previously growing. Firm it in well and water thoroughly.
If you buy A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year.
Encouraging flowering
In winter, move plants to a cooler location, about 11–14°C (52–57°F). Reduce watering, keeping the compost only just moist. Never let it dry out completely.
This cooler, drier spell stimulates them to produce flower buds. Once buds have formed, return plants to their normal location, at above 15°C (60°F), and resume the normal watering regime.
Deadheading
Simply remove the faded flowers to keep plants looking their best.
Overwintering
If plants have been moved outside in summer, bring them back indoors by early autumn, before night temperatures fall to 10°C (50°F) in your area.
Keep plants at 11–14°C (52–57°F) over winter, to stimulate flowering – see Encouraging flowering, above.
Caring for older plants
Epiphyllum cacti can live for many years, if given the correct growing conditions. But they are susceptible to over and under watering, so take care to water correctly – see Watering, above.
Keep plants looking neat by occasionally pruning out old, tatty or overly long stems – see Pruning and Training, below.
Plants rarely need re-potting, as most flower best when slightly rootbound. Overpotting can hinder flowering. If you do need to re-pot, wait until after flowering and try not to disturb the roots.
As plants get larger, make sure the container is heavy enough to stay upright under the weight of all the long, cascading stems. Choose a heavy terracotta pot or a wide, shallow container (known as a pan).