I Will post some material very soon on shapes and sescriptions.
Todays blooms are: Hatiora gaertneri pinkish lav.color Easter Cactus
Second bloom is Master of Mars. I was out of town when it bloomed and it is a little droopy!
. XL bloom in orange with a peach-orange midstripe, and outer petals of peach-orange. Wheel shaped, funnel This plant bloom varies greatly in web pictures.
This link will answer many questions on care of Epies and diseases. etc.http://www.theamateursdigest.com/epis.htm
I am looking for an older article I once found on shapes.
Examples of Cup and Saucer shapes
Mor Mor
Ackermani
Flat petals in back form the saucer with inner petals forming a cup. Wild Thing Should not be here-it is an example of ribbon/twisting petals.
This message was edited May 29, 2015 9:45 PM
This message was edited May 29, 2015 9:49 PM
Trumpet or funnel shape
April Showers
1.The shapes of petals are described as:Wheel-shaped (with few radiating narrow petals)
example: Strictum
2.Overlapping with 15 to 20 petals overlapping in two circular rows example: Eiesta de Flores
3. Thick with 5 to 25 petals giving an appearance of three or more rows Example: Germania
4. Loose with the petals irregular and not symmetrical. They may be single or overlapping Example: Flirtation
5., ribbony or twisting Example: Wild Thing
Textures described as
1. transparent, (Caroline)
2. waxy or shiny, (Alchemy)
3. iridescent (colors that seem to change)------Alter Ego
4 or with a sheen.----Germania
The edges may be;
1. smooth,---Ganesha
2. finely serrated and wavy or crepe-like. (saw like)---Germania
3. Inner petals can be wheel-shaped,---Neon Smile
4. overlapping, double ----Scarlet Macaw
The shape of petals can be
1. narrow,---Master of Mars
2. oblanceolate (narrow and tapering to a point), ---Strictum
3.obovate (oval with narrow base)---Flirtation,
4. spatulate (spoon-shaped),----Alter Ego
5. elliptic (oblong with both ends narrowing down).---Hidden Treasure
I hope the above is helpful. Growers will disagree with some example choices but they are just guides for describing your blooms.
1&2. Platter shape is like Avery Fuller below or Space Rocket. Relatively flat faced.
Cup and Saucer has the center column (3. Mor Mor) which is not present in the Platter or Wheel shaped blooms.
Hope this is helpful. bob
Thanks for your hard work Bob, I think a lot of us will benefit. I will have to try and print a hard copy for my Epi folder. Just got the first bulletins from ESA. Good information.
F[rst time blooming for Grace Ann. I had her hanging in my pecan tree and didn't notice her four buds. Today I found her beautiful first bloom.
Epiphyllum hybrid 'GRACE ANN' Has a XL bloom with light to dark purple and white ruffled edge inner petals and purple outer petals.Strong upright growth.
Very pretty! I have a very similar noid...always the last to bloom, and very stingy. I've only had two flowers on it this year. I guess the energy all goes to a few huge flowers, rather than many smaller ones.
I could look at that all day!
Avery Fuller is new today. Cyclamen purple with lighter purple edges. Outer petals darker purple. Overlapping, bell form. Flat basket growth. Large 8" bloom.
2015 appears to have been a disaster when compared to the last several years. Late extreme cold that absolutely killed most of many of my plants really took a toll. I only had seven plants bloom out of 306 named epies. I have had 117 of my hybrids bloom thus far which is about 1/3.
I bought a used coal/wood burning stove I am installing w/ my gas to try and reduce costs this coming year. Gas costs last year were horrible.
I'm so sorry to hear that! I am lucky enough to not live in an area that causes plants to freeze, so mine stay out year round. The crazy weather this year has caused poor/ sporadic blooming, and some branch die off, but I can only imagine how heart broken you must be. You have so many beautiful Epis! I can only imagine how expensive it is to heat your green house. Hopefully, next year will be better.
I agree with Carols sentiments.
It will be interesting to read this forum next year and hear about the success of recovery!
A very late surprise--this is Achemy which should have bloomed in March-April time period. Just glad to see it! Epiphyllum Hybrid 'ALCHEMY' Has a Large bloom in medium yellow inner petals and light yellow outer petals, slightly pink at base. Overlapping, cup and saucer form. Flat and triangular, basket growth The bloom this time is smaller than normal.
I rarely see that form. Very pretty!
