My Dad is a big fan of these but doesn't always have luck
getting them to bloom. All tips and tricks to accomplish
this would be very appreciated!
Epiphyllium
The best tip I would give him is:
They like & NEED to get "cold" through the winter to bloom.
Fish emulsion is probably the next best tip, lots of it prior to the bloom season. I start feeding them as soon as they finish blooming until it gets cold in November.
Snails love these things, so baiting for snails is a must because the snails always seem to go for those tender buds.
Take all of the above with a grain of salt because my definition of "cold" certainly wouldn't apply to what you in SK would consider cold. Our low last winter for a couple of night time hours was 34F. Brrrrrrr!!
The years when I have babied them (kept them sheltered, kept them in the sun room, kept them in an enclosed pool area) they have bloomed sparsely. The years that I have ignored them (but still baited for snails)they have rewarded me with batches of blooms.
Age is also a factor.....it usually takes a number (2-8)of years til they bloom. Patience applies in this situation.
Here's my favorite epi from this year, they bloomed long and hard for almost 3 months:
Happenstance Garden Epiphyllum http://davesgarden.com/fp.php?pid=624022
What a gorgeous Epi!! Thank you for the tips!! I'll put
mine and his in our basement window...no heat in that area.
You are right about the cold...we are almost down to that
temp. now at nights. Gotta admit I have to chuckle when
I see people in zones higher than 7 talk about the cold...
snow is in my forecast tomorrow :~(. I'll be getting Dad
some fish emulsion and a copy of your tips...he'll be tickled pink. Do your Epis produce seeds?
Don't know......I deadhead them as soon as they begin to get a little limp. I'm convinced it makes them bloom more than allowing all that energy to go into blooms that are spent.
I lived in Chicago for years, so I do know what real cold is.....been there, done that cold thing. Never again!
Oh, come on you must miss it a little??? I don't mind it
except when the wind blows.......NASTY!! I think Chicago
has somewhat similar temps to here. What is your second
Epi's name? Dad is always on the lookout for more but
most places don't post the pics with the names.
NONE of my epis have names.....well I'm sure they have names, I just don't know them. Cuttings are sold everywhere here in California, groceries quite often have them, home centers, most all nurseries. Usually misidentified as "Cactus species" or whatever. I have several more that I hope will bloom next Spring and it's always a surprise what color they will be. My big white one is my favorite, very fragrant.....always opens at night and the blooms are anywhere from 10-12" across.
I'll have to replace the color ink in my printer...keep
posting them...he'll love it. They are definitely not
common here...but then very little is. I found a supplier
at the coast so will be ordering some next spring for
Father's Day. Thank you so much for all your help and pics!
Well I always plan (have for 20 years) to mark the tubs as to what color and which fronds bloomed.....but again this year it just didn't get done. Makes each year a surprise to see what is blooming in which tub.
PS pardon the mess on the patio, I'm spreading crushed granite between the bricks and didn't finish the job yet.
PPS see the snail damage, even with baiting weekly the little buggers still manage to do some damage each year.
This message was edited Sep 17, 2003 12:08 AM
Thanks Happenstance...ours have a long, long way to go.
Years ago my Dad used to order them from Rainbow Gardens
(I think I have that right) but with all the Gov't
requirements now-he hasn't ordered outside of the country
for a few years now. I gather that they no longer do mail
business anymore or I think he would give it a try.
Epiphylliums like many other Cactaceae are on the Cites Appendix II threatened species list thus proof that it was grown in culture and not taken from the wild is required to "officially" import them.
I don't think he was aware that this requirement now exists-
one more roadblock to us getting plants from elsewhere.
Good piece of information to be aware of, thanks PanamonCreel.
I took this photo nearly five yrs ago and the plant is still putting out! what a beauty! Elaine
That is a beauty!! Do you have any pieces to spare????????
Grovel, grovel, beg, beg.....do a trade come spring?????
hi lily! I just purchased a yellow one also, the colour being very rare in Epis....see what I can do for ya! Elaine
Thank You!! :)
Neat pictures and good info!