Epi Issues

I purchased 3 sets of 4 cuttings off a very reputable ebay seller last March. This has been my first go with these beautiful plants. The growth on these 3 different epis varied - the 'orange bowl' doing the least. One of the cuttings turned crispy...I removed it from the rest...leaving 3 cuttings of the 'orange bowl.' Last week it was time to bring in all the plants. As you can see there is growth on one of these cuttings but nothing on the other 2. I noticed with 1 of the non-growing 2 that it was discolored at the soil line so I pulled it up. I cut below the discolored part and above. Notice it did have some roots on it. I've left the top 3/4 to callous over and put the bottom 1/2 back in the soil (not sure if that was the right thing to do or not). The other issue is the "stuff" on the cuttings...hopefully the photo is clear enough so it can be seen. I've not ever dealt with "scale" but was guessing this might be it. I took a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and cleaned all this yuck off the cuttings. The week prior to bringing these in ALL plants were treated with the Bayer Rose 3 in 1. Anyone that can provide some insight to these issues...I'd greatly appreciate it!! Here's pic #1

Pic #2 Here's the only cutting w/growth but the "growth" had quite a bit of that stuff on it

Pic #3 Notice only the one with growth...and this is since LAST March 7 months later!!!

Last pic #4 The sad thing is I had considerable more growth on epis I rec'd in trades then with these that I paid for... bummer!! :(

Chantell, sometimes cuttings just sit for a long time rooting before they put out any growth. I wouldn't worry about the ones that haven't put on growth as long as they are green and firm. Chances are that they will put on rapid growth in the spring. I have one cutting that has been sitting for months, not doing anything. I even tried to pull it up, but I felt tension so I left it alone. It will probably put on growth in the spring, and I'll probably see it flower the year after that. Sometimes, cuttings can flower right away after rooting, and sometimes they take a year or even two years to flower from when they are initially rooted.

I would replant the cut portion with roots, leaving as much of the remaining leaf exposed as you can. Just barely cover the roots. I think it might push out a branch on a lower node. As for the rot, it happens sometimes. Water gathers there, and the temps drop. I'm not sure why it happens, but it happens to me occasionally too. Those sections of rot will usually dry up or they can be pulled off. I probably wouldn't have cut it, but now you can reroot the top portion after letting it heal. I think bottom heat helps with rooting epi cuttings too.

As for the scale, I'll have to let someone else answer that, but it doesn't look like scale to me. I have scale on other plants, and they look different from what is appearing on your leaves. I actually have that too and have noticed that it can be scraped off with my fingernail. I don't know what it is, but it appears to be harmless.

Thank you Clare...I just was unsure what to do with them. And yes....that "stuff" can be scraped off with just your fingernail...I haven't noticed it on my other epis though.

Hello Chantell My Friend :)

Well...once again, I am NO expert here so if I give bad advice would someone who knows more about these plants please correct me.

I have recently taken an interest in growing Epi's myself so have rooted quite a few cuttings recently. And from what I learned about these is:

1. It's better to let them callous over for a few days (even up to a week or more)
2. They grow in the crevices of trees so I mix their soil with ALOT of orchid mix and ALOT of perlite.
3. They don't like BRIGHT beating sun, seem to prefer bright light with partial shade. Again, this is because they have the canopy of the tree over them but the light still gets through.
4. It was suggested to me to hold off watering for a bit but I always feel so guilty not watering and I figured these babies could use a little water so I keep them moist, not wet not dry but moist.

The cuttings in this picture had actually survived a freak freeze in my friends (you know who you are ;) and thank you again) greenhouse. I have had them about a week or so and already they have turned a completely different shade of green and are perking up and putting on new growth.

I noticed you "rocked" the top of your soil like a cactus. I don't "rock" these as they are more of a succulent than a cactus and in my opinion "rocking" them compacts the soil and keeps necessary air out. In fact, if I water mine from above a few days later I take a butter knife and "fluff" the soil all around the plant to be sure it stays light and airy.

I'm thinking yours might be suffucating and rotting under there. Here again though, I am no expert I can only give you hints on what I have been doing which so far...."knocks on wood" seems to make these happy. It's almost like the WANT to grow. I have not had 1 cutting perish (although I am worried about 1 that was really leathery but she seems to be staying the same....not getting worse so I'm sure she's resting and not dying *lol*).

Anyways, I hope this helps in some way and I hope that if I'm wrong in anything I tried to say here that someone with more expertise will guide you and correct me :)

Kim

Chantell,

Here is a picture of an older cutting that I started last spring from 1 leaf. Once established, leaves will grow out of every nook. Eventually, I will remove a couple of these leaves and start new babies :)

Kim

I love epis but I have been frustrated by the lack of growth on mine too. Nothing completely dies but nothing thrives and I keep buying more. They also repeatedly got bugs all last winter. This summer I wrote to Pat at Pat's Epis and she suggested changing my "cactus soil" to a mix for orchids, perlite, and potting soil which I did. I also started to use neem oil to kill scale. Then I visited a friend and he suggested using builder's sand so I've added that to the mix. Being well drained is the key. I had them outside this summer on a porch facing east so they had gentle morning sun. I had some growth for the first time ever-watering them every 2 weeks with fish emulsion. None of them look as good as they should but at least I'm not feeling like a bad mom. Recently RUK told me she brings hers in for the winter in her garage (stays above freezing) and I have put mine in a dark part of a guest bathroom that has a 40 degrees minimum during winter. I'm going to water less frequently. In this way, I hope to get a burst of growth in spring. We'll see.........

Here is a pic of my friend's (who suggested sand) epi. Needless to say, I got a cutting!

I meant to add that too, I also put sand in my mix Boo :)
Fish emulsion is great with these too...

Glad you came along and added this as I forgot to mention these couple of things in my book above *lol*

I literally sit on the floor and just throw handfuls of all kinds of stuff together until it reaches the consistency I want when it comes to my soils. A little perlite here, a little cactus mix there, a little orchid mix here, handful of worm castings, throw in some sand, maybe a little peat here just for good measure....etc *lol*

Kim

I like the way you mix your soil Kim. I, too, am thinking of incorporating orchid bark into some of my mixes next Spring. Typically, I just use Pro-Mix and extra perlite to increase the drainage properties. When I root cuttings or sow seeds, I use Perlite and Vermiculite.

I must remember to buy some Fish Emulsion for my hybrid Epis. I just used Eleanors this summer on the newly established cuttings and they are doing fine- new growth on all of them. One of my Epis is throwing out some new growth from those little nooks you speak of, Kim. They're a very chartreusey color, which I think is very cool. Anyway, I have one of those cuttings STILL outside because I can't tell if it has scale or if it's the normal make-up of an Epi. I've alternately treated it with a systemic , Neem Oil and alcohol since summer. I don't know what to make of it, but it's going to stay out there until I do know what to make of it! I've used my magnifying glass to take a closer look and have yet to see any "crawlers". I know the little haggards come in all colors, so I just can't be sure. I should take a picture and post it here.

Boojum, your friend's Epi is just gorgeous! Is it named?

On bigger leaves such as epi's, when I give them their "baths".
I take some neem and alcohol mix and put it in a little plastic bowl. Then I take a nice soft face brush (one of those little round brushes for the face with the super soft bristles) and dip it in the solution and "wash" both sides of the leaves. This gives them a nice shine, removes dirt which may be clogging their pores and removes anything that think it might want to crawl *lol*.
Then I mist them with a superthrive/water mixture and they just seem to glow in the dark *lol*

I find I only need to do this about once or twice a year depending on if I put them outside or not. Last year I had no choice but to put them out. Still thinking about what I'll do next summer. I think I'll put out some of my plants but not all of them.

Kim

Glad I could add something to the discussion. Don't know it's name, growhappy, but I like yours-such a positive message!! Kim, I want one of those baths myself, no wonder they glow!! I get my scale indoors and out-fun.

Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions!!! I used the rocks mainly to keep them from falling over but I'm sure with roots they'd stay upright by themselves at this point. So I'll get them out of there and "stir" up the soil some. Sorry to repeat myself but that's what is so frustrating...cuttings of various epis that I got from fellow DG'ers have all kinds of new growth on them - I did nothing special with them except to follow what Kim had written above (much like Epi's by Pat's instructions) - then plopped them in soil. Yet these others that I bought - have limited growth compared to the to the others. I love, love, love their blooms - I so want these guys to make it!!

I can feel your frustration, Chantell. It just seems right to be able to see new growth on plants you purchased. When you have plants that were given to you and you see new growth on them, it's disheartening to know that the "purchases" aren't measuring up! I'd like to think that the ones that were given to you were grown with so much love that they can't help but perform well.(sentimental person that I am!) Take heart, Chantell, for in time, your purchases will reward you. After all, they now have a dear heart looking after them.:)

GH

GH,
You are always so sweet...thank you!! I just keep reminding myself that there IS growth on one of those cuttings - so all is not lost. Just frustrating when you're not accustom to things NOT thriving - I appreciate everyone's words of wisdom though...will probably pick up some orchid soil today. I had some....and remembered being impressed with the mixture - but I used it on something else. :(

Chantell, I feel exactly like you. It comes in waves. I die over the flowers, too. Sometimes, I become patient and sometimes I write to people on DG to vent my frustration. We should keep in touch!

Hi Chantell!!! I thought I'd take a peek over here... I think epis could get addicting... they are much prettier than the Zygocatus, IMHO.

Unfortunately, the one I bought hasn't flowered. The good news is that this plant is one I purchased for a few $$ as a cutting 1 1/2 years ago, and I now have a GIGANTIC plant!!!! I've accidentally taken cuttings this fall because I bumped it around when I brought it in from outdoors. I damaged a couple of stems, so I cut them off to start more plants that I can't get to bloom! Hopefully, the parent will bloom this year, and I'll have rooted cuttings to trade.

My cultivar is named "Incredible". As I recall, it's a bright purple to hot pink... it LOOKS blooming size, but I really don't know anything about epis, so HERE I AM!

If I gave my "Incredible" a dose of a flower fertilizer- containing potash- would it bloom? I guess I'll try.

Jax,

Here is a site with a picture of your "Incredible" baby. She's a very sweet thing!

http://www.flowerpictures.net/epiphyllum/epihybrids/index_2.htm

I am in agreement with Jax also, I like the foliage on Epi's better than Christmas Cactus too. I like the way they just droop and curve everywhere. I have both pots of mine up on 2 foot pedestals in case they decide the'd like to grow like they're supposed to do.

Jax, I don't think they bloom until next summer at this point. They are supposed to be in their "resting" mode right now. I'm not letting mine "rest" this year but I don't know about fertilizing it right now either. So much to learn about these things *lol*

I'm finding I have so much to learn about so many of the plants I'm trying to grow....just boggles my mind sometimes.

Why can't I just stick to the "easy" plants *lol*

Chantell, I would let any pieces that you have which aren't rooted right now, callous over for a few days and then just stick them in the pot. It certainly wouldn't hurt. Most of mine just rooted by sticking them in the pot when they broke off (gotta love cats).

Kim

This is funny, because I like Clivias, too, (supposed to be easy!) and I can't get on to survive-(chronic root-and stem rot)- much less thrive. As for my Epi, it was one of my succulents that I put on a card table under a SINGLE LIGHT BULB last year and did not water. Not only did it thrive-it took off and became HUGE! I put it oudoors this summer; it grew some more, but no flowers.

Jax, with Clivias, the less water the better. I may have watered(and fertilized) mine 2-3 times during the entire summer. The last time I watered it was in mid September. A lot depends on what kind of soil you are growing your Clivia in, as well. Make sure it's light and well aerated and not heavy(like Miracle Gro). You should give Clivias a try again in the Spring. They really are easy to grow. If ever there was a "leave me alone, I don't want to be bothered" plant, Clivia just may be it!

GH

Right now the I have 3 clivia pups dying in a mixture of grit, perlite and oystershells, and a crazed Epi in Miracle Gro!

Well...well.....the little rooted one I "beheaded" is getting a little bit of growth on them...too funny!!

I guess they really want to live!! Congrats on the new growth!! Thanks for the update.

You Grow Girl....so proud of you my friend. Knew you could do it :)

Kim

Whew...was getting worried there for a bit!! Also mixed up some of that beer stuff ya'll mentioned and gave them some this week. Hope this is a good sign!!

I recently aquired an orchid cactus cutting and the book I read said to put the cutting in wet soit, cover it and just let the soil dry. This I did and sure enough...it rooted just fine.

Yes....it seems the less you fuss with them the better then do...go figure!!

I've had a clivia (and a large unruly epi) for several years. I grow it in light potting soil - added perlite and sand and finely shredded pine bark for drainage - and water it only occasionally. Very little, if any, in the fall. And start fertilizing it in January, put it into more sunlite, and it usually rewards me with blooms. Now I have four pups growing off the mother plant. I durn near killed it two years ago, when I decided I should be misting it. Bad idea. I am very careful to water it at the base, and then to let it dry out thorougly before watering it again. I'm just wondering if maybe the clivia needs a little real soil?

To check for scale. Flick the suspect off with your fingernail (if you can't do this, it's not scale). Then squish it. It should be pink or red, or brownish. These are the eggs under the scale. Try several, just in case you got a dead one the first time...

And I have a question: I take my epi inside for the winter, and it is under a lightbulb. I take it back out when danger of frost is past. But I've read that they need that cooling off to bloom better. Should I leave it outside in the winter, and just bring it back in when there is danger of a freeze? Or did it get enough cool off last fall before I brought it back in when a freeze threatened?

Hi, Everyone,

I don't have a serious "Epi issue", but I do have a question. Pictures attached.

I have had these Epis for about 4 years now. Got them in a trade from Kachinagirl in CA. From one leaf each, they have grown quite large with leaves going here and there. I get the feeling that they will be pretty "wild" looking. By that I mean--no particular shape or orderly growth pattern to them. They have not bloomed yet, but i await this "event" with great interest.

OK! Here's my question. This winter, there are these funny, fork-like growths at the end of some of the leaves. What are they? Is this normal? Will these flatten out and become "normal looking leaves?

I have them sitting in decent light by my LR window. Not 100% direct sun, as I have a roofed over patio outside the windows, but the roof does have 4 sky lights.

Any comments or opinions? All other advice also greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Gita

Here's the other leaf that has this growth pattern on it. None of the other ones have this.

I found out that Epi's like Orchids thrive w/ less fuss. I feed mine either fish emulsion, or my horse feed recipe--a weak mixture of course. They def need to be root bound to bloom. As far as dirt I use what's in my compost area and away they go. I have a few rooted for my ru next week end and so hope they get a happy home. Corky