If you are an early riser and usually early to bed - this plant is not for you! The queen of the night cactus only flowers between dusk and dawn.
This is not the tall cactus variety (which many people grow and also flowers at night), this Queen o the night has long succulent green leaves and climbs trees if given the chance.
The queen of the night cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is the highlight of the party season. This summer flowering cactus is the most widely cultivated species of the genus. A climbing perennial cactus, it is best positioned somewhere visible at night, as it flowers nocturnally, each flower but for one night only, with an intoxicating sweet fragrance. The flower is finished at dawn. Ours usually starts flowering at Christmas and can flower throughout January. If you are party people remember to check the buds as they swell when you come home at night - as it is disappointing to miss the divine waterlily-like flowers.
In its natural state, this epiphytic cactus from tropical rain forests of Mexico, grows in the tree tops, and lives on the surface of other plants, hitching a ride up out of the gloomy jungle understorey. It takes nourishment from the environment, not the host plant; but from fallen leaves, bird droppings and dead insects.
The leaves are modified stems, adapted to cling to the host tree as well as photosynthesize. Flowers are large, white and fragrant. They like morning sun, light or filtered light, but they dislike the hot afternoon sun and they leaves will tend to yellow in this position.
Epiphyllums are easy to grow in large hanging basket or supported in a large pot with stakes or trellis. We like to grow ours up the branches of frangipani - as they flower at the same time! We also have some growing down the side garden in a garden with filtered light along with begonia, cape angels, tropical rhodos, camellias, and liriope. We can see the buds appear from the kitchen window while we do the washing up!
Propagate by cutting from the long flat arching stems. Allow it to dry out for a few days before planting into very well drained potting media. Keep slightly dry through cool weather and water more often in summer. Feed during spring during the growth season to encourage more long cane-like shoots and therefore more blooms.
Powered By WEBHEAD