I'm about 95% sure that is what I'm plant sitting for my friend this summer. She has never changed the soil out and has had the plant for sometime. What soil does it prefer, any thing special it needs. It did have an extra long arm with short leaves and the end. This arm has sine broken off at 2 places because I think it was to heavy for it. What do I do with the pieces, they just came off a couple of days ago. Any help would be appreciated. It has had a few spots of new growth on it also.
Epiphyllum Oxypetallum Question
I would caution against changing the soil at all. These plants like to be root bound. I had an E. oxypetalum with 4 2 foot long arms planted in a coffee cup HALF FULL with regular garden soil. And it bloomed and was as happy as a clam. As for the two pieces that broke off, you can either wait for them to callous over (just a few more days) and then stick them into the pot with the rest of the plant or you can just go ahead and stick them in now. To be on the safe side, you might want to let them callous over first....it'll give them a better chance of rooting without rotting.
Do you have a photo you can post of the plant? That might help us to give you better feedback about the plant you're caring for.
-Julie
Yeah, I have to get it scanned in so I can post it. It may be a bit before I can get it in. The soil looks pretty old, kinda like the soil gets in Texas when it hasn't rained in a bit. Very crumbly and dry, even after it's been watered.
Another question about how much sun these guys like and if I should place it outside. My apartment has East facing front windows and West facing back windows. It has been really hot and humid around here would it help it to go outside. I do have parts that have partial shade and full shade outside as well as full sun when it's on that side of the building. i.e. morning sunfront/shade back, afternoon shade/sun back
There are 3 or 4 new growth spots on this plant now.
I always grow mine outside in summer. I have flowered them under a tree, also in afternoon sun under window screen as a shade ( right now) and in full sun after they were totally acclimatized ( otherwise tender new growth gets really burned). They can tolerate a variety of conditions, but full sun is not really necessary to get them to flower ( where I live).
About repotting - I find that after a few years in the same small pot these plants become somewhat lopsided and the pots are always in danger of falling over. This is usually the signal for me to repot into a larger pot to stabilize the plant. I find they fill out their "new shoes" always very quickly.
I use regular potting soil for houseplants ( Miracle grow brand with fertilizer added for a quick boost or similar) and I add some sharp sand for better drainage.
Now I always read about having cuttings first to callous over or not. I personally never do, but I dip the cuttings into Rootone first before planting.
This is what works for me, but everybody has their own preferred methods.
Ursula