Night blooming ???????

Tomorrow, I'll try to get a picture of the whole plant to share with you and others. They have these stiff and upright leaflets as appose to the 'nightblooming' cactus pendant/hanging leaflets. They deserve to be kept in the family heirloom in my opinion. ^_^

Can't wait.

Be well

(O-O)

Here goes, I've this little basket that has been neglected for this growing season. It was left on the sideyard among some monkeygrass, thus most of the plant is decimated by snails. I brought it around, and put it atop of an attractive pot to make it 'presentible' lol

Even being neglected, it has been producing flowers off and on since July. Currently this one has a flower bud that will opening soon. I also noticed a few more smaller buds on this one basket.

Have a blessed day in the garden everyone.

You certainly cannot tell a book by its cover.

That is one gorgeous flower from a pretty nondescript parent.

Who would know!

Thanks -- and be well

(o_O)

Yes, from a humble beginning... to the brighter, beautiful blossom. The same plant with its progeny today.

WOW

flyboyFL, this is for you to enjoy. There is a wonderful world of orchid cactus out there. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1315282/

OK You got me hooked.

I gave up watching the Patriots losing (so far) to the Giants to track down ric-racs.

So -- I am planning to go here http://sarasotasucculentsociety.org/pages/salesdetails.php :

Wish me luck

Be well

(o_O)

Best of luck, enjoy.

^_^

We came, we saw, we bought.

Great stuff for sale -- and view.

Anyone who likes succulents should visit the grounds.

Several ric-racs from which to choose -- and the cacti were magnificent.

All at bargain prices -- to me.

This is the ric-rac we selected.

(o_O)

That's one fine specimen! Congratulations!

OOOHHH…What a beauty! I know you're going to enjoy that one!

That's one beautiful plant, so healthy, and well cared for. I hope you get blooms soon. It seems it was worth the trip to the SSS sale;~)

I certainly hope so.

At my age I no longer buy green bananas.

Be well

So I read up on ric-racs -- with respect to sun.

Yesterday's location was not so great -- so it now has a new home.

Labor omnia vincit,

Be well

(o_O)

It sure is beautiful! And you Floridians can keep them outside to boot! Lucky!!

Lucky us. And we can keep him outside until the hurricanes blow them away

I was reading this thread with interest. I received a cutting of E.oxypetalum years ago from another DGer in memory of her mother. The cutting came from her Mother's plant. I have since gotten numerous plants from that one cutting. I also live in Florida (east coast of central FL). I have a few other Epi species, but by far the oxypetalum grows the best here for me. It is also the least bothered by pests or disease. And is still the only one that has ever bloomed for me. Each year I get more and more blooms from them. I am still waiting on the other epi species to bloom. They often take 3-5 years to bloom from cuttings.

After much research on how and what to grow them in, I realized that they get far too big to be growing in a hanging basket. Mine were literally out of control. I found this very informative video on YouTube:
http://lolclassic.com/?w=0OQo6qghjQI&title=trellising-epiphyllum-with-tomato-cages

I have since been growing the majority of my Epi's this way using the tomato cages and gallon nursery pots. It is an excellent way to grow the larger epi plants!

Here are some photos of my E.oxypetalum blooming this past June. So far, mine have only bloomed once a season. But it may be over a 2 week period. It seems like a long wait and a lot of care to finally see the first bloom. I was about to give up after 4 1/2 years when I saw my first bloom 2 years ago. Let me just say that the wait was well worth it! The large blooms are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. The fragrance is amazing! And the timing adds to the sheer thrill of it all. This species bloom at night typically between dusk and midnight. I smelled the fragrance before I even saw the blooms. It is a very strong, sweet fragrance that drifted through my backdoor. Seeing the blooms was just an amazing experience! My dh rarely gets excited about any of my plants ... but the E.oxypetalum blew him away. Be sure to have your camera ready! You will want to snap a lot of photos!

The most helpful website I've used is (it answered a lot of my questions):
http://www.theamateursdigest.com/epis.htm


This message was edited Sep 4, 2013 8:15 PM

I was out adding some fertilizer to my Epi's tonight, and low and behold ... another one of my E.oxypetalum is producing 2 buds! So apparently they can bloom (as I have read) over the Spring, Summer, and even into early Fall.

I also have a ric-rac plant that has been grown from a single cutting. I have that one growing in a tomato cage as well. I have them on my screened porch next to the east side to get morning sun through the screen. They have done quite well there. I even leave them there in winter and just cover them with sheets. Mine have tolerated the low 40's that way. If it gets to freezing, I move them to my garage. They need a cooling period to bloom from what I have read.

Becky:

I feel as though I have just graduated from Epi -- 101

That is one wealth of knowledge you have presented. Thank you. I am on my way!

Now to find some one-gallon pots and tomato cages. I have one almost-entirely-fenced-in area and it is going to be my laboratory epiquarium. I will start with my now-rooted cuttings and add a couple from my new ric-rac. Wish me luck.

Now if I can live long enough to get a blossom.

Be well

(o_O)

flyboyFL, I heard you and wished I could do something to change your luck. Say if you were close by, I'd invite you to visit my garden to enjoy these flowers. Like Becky said, their range of flowers production is wide from spring, and can expand to Fall. A cool period must be one of the trigger factors (causing the plants to produce flowers). Currently I've 4 of the Epi oxy. buds, and they begun to curl up; that signal it won't be long before they open. Also I've noticed roughly a halve dozen of the Epi. 'hookerii' tiny buds. They will be follow suit right behind the Epi oxy. I'll need to look at the Ric Rac more closely if I find any bud this time of year.

Lily:

My luck is, and has been, fantastic -- I do not want to "change" it!. To have lived so long -- with the same DDW -- and have lent my DNA to such a magnificent group of progeny -- that is GOOD LUCK personified.

I do -- and will -- enjoy the photos. (Now, if they had only invented "smell-a-vision"!)

Meanwhile, it is pleasure enough to plant something -- a seed or a cutting -- and watch it grow. That is a happening, and one neither to be ignored nor taken lightly

Be well

(o_O)

flyboyFL - I agree that is always wonderful to plant something and see it grow. I hope you do have the pleasure of seeing your cactus orchids bloom! I neglected to fertilize mine every month during the growing season. That may be why it took so long to get blooms. So do fertilize monthly during the Spring, Summer, and early Fall months. Let it rest during the Winter months.

Some day some one will create a smell-o-vision. I hope I am around to check it out! :-)

I check my little buds daily and it is amazing how quickly they grow. They are double the size they were when I took the photo above 3 days ago. I've never really kept track of how long it takes from bud development to bloom. I would venture to say about 2 weeks .... maybe?

Becky:

Hang in there. We are waiting, too..........................

Be well

(o_O)

Well stated flyboyFL, best of lucks with the flowering process. Becky, roughly 2 weeks duration is about right with these flower. Here are the few of Epi. oxy. that're about to unfurl. The middle tiny bud is that of Epi. 'hookerii' which is newly formed.

Lily - How often do yours bloom?

These has been blooming off and on since late spring Becky.

OK. Now I am really hooked. And it is sick-call time. I need more help.

We went back and bought our second ric-rac. It is large -- and leggy -- and abundant with roots seeking a place to settle in.

What do I do?

Do I trim off all of the dried-up air-roots?

I already lopped-off an extra-long branch and stuff it back into the pot to root. But, how much should I prune it back. It was desiccated and sucked up an endless amount of water. Should I feed it -- what and how much. All I have is some soluble stuff and some 10-10-10.

Help

(o_O)

With respect to the original inhabitants, they are doing just fine.

Last week's ric-rac is sprouting all manner of extensions. It must be happy,

And my rooted epi cuttings are really spreading wings.

Be well

(o_O)

.

I've got to run to the GYM, be back and share some thought and pictures.

And -- I must make a confession.

While at the Sarasota Succulent Society this morning, we were charmed by the collection of Opuntia one of the members had assembled. (It is the variety with big flat leaves.)

They were beguiling, so, we broke down and adopted four of them.

Boy -- are we getting busy!

Haha, Opuntia are also attractive plants. I'm so glad to see you are really getting to enjoy these plants. ....

I wouldn't trim any dried-up roots. For in the natural habitat, those rootlets are used to hold on to other vegetation to draw nutrients and also facilitate climbing mechanism.

On rooting succulents; the key to success is; once you lopped them off the mother plant. You need to keep the cutting in a well ventilating area, out of direct sun light and allow the cutting 'dried up' or actually callus over before you put it back into the soil to initiate "rooting". The method works on many type of succulent plants.

Fertilizer? NO FERTILIZER is needed until the plant is putting out new growths. Fertilize cutting will simply cause fertilizer- burn and won't aid on your plant's health. Even with my established container plants. I never fertilize them if the pot is dried; Before I fertilize them, I make sure I water, completely saturate them the day before I fertilize them. I hope that'd help.

Various other succulents in the garden that you may enjoy.

1. Plumeria 'Candy Stripes' or 'Pinwheels'.
2. Hoya
3. Star fish's buds.

The Epi. oxy buds are about to open up -- tonight.

1. The bud in earlier in day.
2. Two newly formed buds from the 'hookery' epi. (of the 2, I afraid the tope bud will be aborted due to excessive lighting -- perhaps).
3, 4 & 5 those Oxy buds will be definitely unfurling tonight.

Pardon typos above; 1. "The bud in earlier in day." I meant to say; the photo was taken earlier on during the day.

I can talk plumeria.

I have two varieties. A Teresa Wilder (real name) and Brad's White (which I spread around so much that it was named after me.)

Be well

(o_O)

That is one gorgeous plumie, WOW! Plumerias are another one of my addictions too😁

FlyboyFL - I agree with all the advice that Lily gave you. Let all cuttings callus over before sticking them in soil. Otherwise they can rot. And she is also right about making sure the plant is moist before fertilizing. Many cactus orchid could burn otherwise. 10-10-10 is a good mix.

I've never seen an Opuntia before. Will have to look that one up! Sounds interesting!

BTW- I am one of the folks who received a couple of your plumeria cuttings. I still have them and have grown a few more from cuttings of the original rooted and grown cuttings. :-) Your Theresa Wilder is gorgeous!

Lily - You have some really lovely plants! Love the Plumeria!

I have a white blooming Plumeria that smells like gardenias. And another one that has still not bloomed after 2 years from a cutting. It was a surprise (freebie) cutting that I got with the gardenia scented one. I hope it blooms next year. I've really been wondering what the blooms will look and smell like. I was told it also had a scent. No idea what though.

This message was edited Sep 9, 2013 7:29 PM