EPIPHYLLUM HYBRIDS
Epiphyllums are plants which would in the wild grow on trees under a canopy of dappled shade but in heat. They originate from rain forests but will tolerate a wide range of conditions other than cold and can get scorched by too much direct sunlight. They are indoor plants in Europe. The flowers range in size from a couple of inches across such as with Dr Rudi Dorch to dinner plate size as in Myra.
Epiphyllums like being pot bound.
Depending on the cultivar will depend how long they take to get to flowering size some will in the second year after being grown from a cutting, others will not flower until years three and four. They need plenty of light to harden the stems which will bare the brilliant orchid like flowers in spring and generally early summer.
https://www.society.bcss.org.uk/images/Cult/epis_alternatemix.pdf
History:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42793469?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
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My plants are kept in a heated Insulated greenhouse over the winter where I try to keep the temperture to 10C. I keep my plants practically dry over the winter period
When the weather warms up I replace the bubble wrap Insulation with shade cloth, and when all danger of frost is past I place them outside where they get some early morning/ evening sun,those that are of a mangeble size ( Beware of slugs and snails if placing plants outside)
Cuttings are started off in pure coco compost, and potted on in a mix of 1 part leafmould, (when available) 2 parts John Innnes No. 2, and 1 part course grit or perlite, I also add some powdered bonemeal.
Planting mixes is a matter of opinion, Using a quality multi compost with 25-30% perlite to aid drainage works well. In the links you will find many different potting compost mixes.
I water once a week in hot weather or when the top of the compost has dried out, although I have found they tolerate periods of dryness (within reason) with no ill effects.
SEED SOWING
There are many different mixes of compost to be found on the internet, I use John Innes seed compost with added horticultural sand to assist drainage. after filling the container with compost I then use a flower sieve to give the top layer an even flat surface, I then stand the container for the seeds in warm water until thoroughly soaked and then put to one side for excess water to drain away.
Sow the seeds evenly on the surface and then cover with a fine even layer of compost (I again use a flower sieve to cover the seeds) and then put the container in a heated propagator with the lid closed. they need 100% humidity for germination. DO NOT LET THE GROWING MEDIUM DRY OUT, if it starts to dry use a hand sprayer to water the plants
Germination should take 2-5 weeks
Once they plant has put out its first true leaf, gradually acclimatise the young plants to be removed outside the propagator, starting at a few hours daily and increase the time outside the propagator
ROOTING CUTTINGS
The cutiings need to be left 1-3 weeks for the cut end to calous over before planting, again i use John Innes seed compost mixed with a generous amount of vemiculite to keep the mix airy and free draing, grit can also be used.
Once the cutting has calloused over plant 30-40cm deep in slightly damp compost mix.
I don't water or mist untill they have started rooting, which can be anything from a few weeks to a few months, if after 4-5 weeks if they still haven't starteed rooting and the compost has dried out completely, replant them in slightly damp compost as beore (I don;t water unrooted cuttings) once a good root system had grown they can be potted up with your prefered epi compost mix.
below is a good link on taking cuttings
FOR SOME REASON MATTSLANDSCAPE WEBSITE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED, i HAVE NO IDEA WHY, AND I HOPE IT IS REINSTATED SOOD AS I HAVE FOUND THIS SITE TO BE THE VERY BEST AND COMPREHENSICE EPIPHYLLUM SITE ON THE NET.
http://www.mattslandscape.com/growing/
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a group of artificial hybrids known as epiphyllums. For the genus, see Epiphyllum.
The plants known as epiphyllum hybrids, epiphyllums, epicacti or just epis, widely grown for their flowers, are artificial hybrids of species within the group of cacti placed in the Tribe Hylocereeae, particularly species of Disocactus, Pseudorhipsalis and Selenicereus. In spite of the common name, Epiphyllum species are less often involved. The parent species from which epiphyllums were bred are different in appearance and habit from most cacti. They are found in the tropical forests of Central America where they grow as climbers or on trees as epiphytes. They have leafless (or apparently leafless) flattened stems which act as the plant's photosynthetic organs. Relatively large flowers are borne on the sides of the stems; in many species they open at night.
Hybrids between Disocactus and Epiphyllum have been called ×Disophyllum Innes.[3] This name is sometimes incorrectly used for the group as a whole.
The Epiphyllum Society of America (the International Registration Authority for hybrids of the Tribe Hylocereeae) maintains a list of epiphyllum hybrids (and Hylocereeae species) which contained over 7,000 names in 1996.
Cultivation
The Epiphyllum Society of America gives some directions for cultivating epiphyllum hybrids, noting that they need different treatment from semi-desert cacti. The advice given is that epiphyllum hybrids should be protected from strong sunlight, with preferably 75% shading at midday. They are not frost hardy, so need to be protected from freezing conditions. It is recommended that the growing medium allows rapid drainage of water and is open, with at least one third of coarse material to prevent compaction. Plants should be kept moist. High nitrogen fertilizers are not recommended; no fertilizer should be given during the winter rest period.
Propagating epiphyllum hybrids from cuttings is said to be easy. Rooting hormone can be applied to the base of the cutting before it is allowed to dry for ten days or more so that the cut forms a callus. The cutting is then planted sufficiently deeply so that it can stand upright. Water is not given for two weeks, after which the growing medium is kept at least slightly moist. Plants can be misted. They should flower within two years.
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Comprehensive growing informayion can be found on the following websites of the Epiphyllum society of america and matts landscape
http://mattslandscape.com/growing/
http://cactus-epiphytes.eu/z_galerie_epiphyllum_de_ma_collection_photos_2.htm
http://http://sandiegoepi.com/epi-care-info/
http://gardenjewelsnursery.com/epi-care-spring/
Breeders:
http://www.epikakteen.de/06%20epiliteratur/zuechter.htm
