Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Broken off Section-How to root? , 0 by grrrnthumb

grrrnthumb wrote:
Here is a recipe to get epi's to bloom any time of the year you want, multiple times per year, even when slightly younger and not yet rootbound: 4-6 weeks of bone dry conditions until the center ribs start to become prominent, but but no crispy-leaf-edge damage yet, plus cold-but-not-freezing temps. When you wake them up with water & warmer temps... kaboom, lots of blooms!
Your z7 climate is similar to mine, so here's how I do it: I keep them outdoors during the summer, under the tall deck so they don't get too much direct sunlight. In the late fall, about 6 weeks or more before I bring them in, I stop watering completely and move them to where they can't get rained on. They stay out as long as they can, and only come in on the last day before we get frost (cold is good for blooms). I then bring them in, maybe wait another week or two to water if I think they can take it, and in a short time they're covered with buds after you start them back up.
In the spring it's similar. Keep them bone dry and put them out as early as possible; on your last frost date. You'll have more blooms by early summer.
To cheat and have blooms twice or more in one year, you have to really grow the plant well in between these times so it can withstand the dry period safely. So it should always be healthy & plump before you start the rest cycle.
This also works for Easter cactus, but not Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus.
- Tom

This message was edited Nov 9, 2008 9:33 AM