The orchid cactus is a beautiful succulent plant with unsubtle , drop leaf - similar radical and huge , gaudy flowers . Orchid cactus flower are the rationality most people keep these flowering cacti as houseplants . The large cupful - shaped or funnel - shaped flowers bloom in shades of white , orangish , yellow , pinkish , and red . An strange characteristic of some orchid cactus plants is that they only flower once a yr during the night .
The most famous orchid cactus is thequeen of the night cactus . This night - blossom cactus only blooms during one night of the year . Many other whiteEpiphyllumcactus are also nocturnal cacti . However , there are types of orchidaceous plant cacti that bloom during the daytime , and the flowers stick around on the trailing stems for a few calendar week .
Queen of the night cactus ( orchid cactus oxypetalum )
get an orchid cactus to bloom is all about provide the proper care . Blooming orchid cacti want the right-hand amount of sun , a cool period during winter , damp territory , and low-down - atomic number 7 fertilizer . If you get orchid cactus precaution correctly , you’re able to enjoy sweetly perfumed peak every twelvemonth during June and July .
This article is a tutelage scout to growing an orchid cactus . You will learn about getting weather right indoors to promote frequent bloom . In summation , helpful tips will facilitate you grow an orchid cactus outdoors if you be in a subtropical or tropical clime .
Orchid Cactus Care
To care for an orchid cactus , grow theEpiphyllumplant in moist , well - drained grease and bright collateral sunshine . Water the woods cactus when the top 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) of dirt is dry . apply a low - nitrogen fertilizer in February to advance blooming . Keep humidness above norm and temperatures between 65 ° F and 75 ° F ( 18 ° C – 24 ° C ) .
Related reading : Cactus care guide .
What is Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum Cactus)?
Orchid cactus
Orchid cactus plants belong to the flowering succulent genusEpiphyllumand cactus familyCactaceae . Orchid cactus are place by full leaf - alike stems with scalloped margins . Large , showy pipe bowl - form white flowers are characteristic of manyEpiphyllumcacti . Orchid cactus hybrids produce beautiful flowers in colored pastel tad .
Orchid cacti are native totropical forestsof Central and South America . In their forest home ground , the orchid - same cactus grows as an epiphytic flora in dappled sunlight . The orchid cactus attach itself to a boniface plant and absorbs nutrients from its surroundings — like howorchidsgrow .
Epiphyllumcactus grows out of doors in USDA zones 10 to 12 .
Alternative name calling for theEpiphyllumcactus include Dutchman ’s pipe , lady of the night , and climbing cacti .
AlthoughEpiphyllumcacti generally bloom at nighttime , orchid cactus hybrids from the genusDisocactusbloom during the daytime . Many orchidaceous plant cactus hybrid also have showy funnel or cupful - shaped prime in pinkish , yellow , orangish , and creamy - white hues .
Orchid Cactus Flower
Queen of the nighttime heyday
Orchid cactus blossom are immense , sweetened - smelling , showy flower that produce stunning flowered presentation . Epiphyllumcactus flowers consist of around 20 petal that form a cupful form . At the fundament of the flower , linear or ovate - shaped petals fan out in a circle to form a star - mould phonograph recording . Orchid cactus blossom valuate between 3 ” and 6 ” ( 8 – 16 cm ) across .
Orchid cactus efflorescence shapes , color , fragrance , and bloom metre depend on the species .
Many day - flower orchid cactus plants do n’t give off much of a scent . However , some hybrid varieties have large , showy cup - shaped flush that can be deep ruby , vibrant pink , orange , or clean . Some smaller species of intercrossed orchidaceous plant cacti have narrow , funnel - comparable flowers like a Christmas cactus .
Nocturnal orchid cacti have some of the showiest white bloom of any cactus metal money . The rarified , spectacular flowers can develop up to 12 ” ( 30 cm ) long and 8 ” ( 20 cm ) widely . The snowfall - white-hot , bowl - regulate bloom also bring out a sweet scent that can fill a room .
Types of Orchid Cacti
Here are a few types ofEpiphyllumcactus andorchid cactus hybrids :
nance of the night ( Epiphyllum oxypetalum)—This orchid cactus is characterise by foresighted , flattened leaf - comparable fore , large livid showy prime , and purplish - red fleshy edible fruits .
‘ Curly Locks ’ orchid cactus ( Epiphyllum guatemalense)—An unusual flowering cactus with twirl and curling scalloped stems , white flowers that bloom at Nox and pink yield .
Epiphyllum guatemalense
Epiphyllum‘Miss America’—The orchid cactus has abstruse red funnel shape - shaped blossom and petals in the shape of a star .
Epiphyllum ‘ Miss America ’
Epiphyllum‘Wendy’—The attractive pink orchid cactus has large cup - shaped heyday and long yellowish stamen in the centre to sum to its beauty .
Epiphyllum ‘ Wendy ’
Epiphyllum‘King Midas’—Large light orange flower petal and tenacious stamen make up the magnificent orchid cactus flower .
orchid cactus ‘ King Midas ’
How to Care for Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum Cactus)
Proper care ensures that an orchid cactus prosper , blush every year , and does n’t succumb to pest and diseases . Here are handy care tips on raise an orchid cactus .
Epiphyllum Cactus Light Requirements
Orchid cactus plant life thrive in bright , indirect sunlight . The ripe location to get an orchid cactus is in a south - facing location but protected from the raging afternoon sun . The right amount of sunlight throughout the year is vital for the orchid cactus to bloom .
An orchid cactus growing in deficient sunlight unremarkably result in leggy growth and no flower . However , too much sun picture can cause the leafy stem to yellow and become weak . A sound orchid cactus should have illumination to dark - green stems .
Getting the lightsome right wing is a life-sustaining requisite to promote orchid cacti to bloom . From previous winter until fall , theEpiphyllumcactus perform well in filtered shining light . However , in winter , the plant benefits from cooler temperatures and shortened flow of light for eight to ten week . During this sentence , keep watering and fertilization to a minimum .
The Best Soil to Grow Orchid Cactus
A goodly orchid cactus need to farm in tripping , moist grunge that has excellent drain . The best potting grunge for anEpiphyllumcactus is one part peat moss , one part perlite , and one part orchid barque . A commercial-grade potting mix for cactus plants is also suited .
Unlikeother character of cactus plants , Epiphyllumcacti are nottolerant of drought . Therefore , the potting soil should be constantly dampish without ever becoming too soggy . In addition , a peat - based , aerated mature medium will see to it that the plant does n’t ache from root disintegration .
If you live in tropic climate , orchid cactus develop outdoors throughout the year inhanging basketsor rock gardens . If planted in the ground , ensure that the dirt is flaxen and enfeeble well . During dry , hot summer days , you require to provide supernumerary H2O to forestall the grunge from drying out .
How to Water Orchid Cactus
Watering an orchid cactus just enough to keep the soil moist is essential for the flora ’s healthy emergence . You have intercourse it ’s sentence to water an orchid cactus when the top 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) layer of dirt is dry . To irrigate the cactus , good drench the soil until water drains from the pot .
In summertime , an orchid cactus could require watering as often as once a calendar week if it ’s quick weather . However , in wintertime , you should onlywater the cactus houseplant sparinglyas it needs to take a breather . give an orchid cactus minimum body of water in wintertime is also one of the care hint to advance bloom in late spring .
Healthy orchid cactus growing need a delicate balance of getting filth moisture level right . If you water the cactus too often , the woody stem will become limp and start turn grim . On the other hand , giving the works too little H2O will hamper flowering , and you ’ll neglect those outstanding bloom .
Top tip to worry for an orchid cactus : Always use filtered tap water at way temperature to H2O anEpiphyllumcactus . This prevents a mineral buildup in the soil , which could hinder ontogenesis .
Orchid Cactus Temperature Requirements
The best temperature grasp for anEpiphyllumcactus is between 65 ° atomic number 9 and 75 ° F ( 18 ° atomic number 6 – 24 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate ) . However , getting the temperature right during winter is a challenge . To bloom , orchid cacti require eight to ten weeks in nerveless temperature of 60 ° F to 65 ° F ( 15 ° one C – 18 ° C ) during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and 50 ° F to 55 ° F ( 10 ° C – 13 ° C ) at night .
Being a eccentric of tropical forest plant , orchid cacti do n’t tolerate cold temperatures . A drop in temperature below 50 ° farad ( 10 ° vitamin C ) will affect the orchid cactus plant ’s ontogenesis . If the temperature send packing below 35 ° F ( 1 ° C ) , the flowering succulent cactus will exit .
Epiphyllum Cactus Humidity Needs
In its native environment , an orchid cactus thrive in humid condition . This various houseplant adapts well to ordinary household humidity and execute best when there is 40 to 50 percent relative humidity . If you need to increase humidness , you could place the wet - loving cactus on a water and pebble tray .
Orchid cacti that turn in the ground in tropic climates rarely have any issuing with humidity . However , if the aviation is particularly arid , you will need to increase the lachrymation frequency .
Fertilizing Orchid Cactus Plants
A pottedEpiphyllumcactusbenefits from regular fertilization . In fact , adding extra food to the soil is an excellent way to ensure the showy flower seem in late bounce until summertime . The key to fertilizing an orchid cactus is to use a balanced fertilizer in spring and fall and a low - nitrogen one at the end of winter .
To fecundate a cactus , apply a cactus plant food with an NPK ratio of 10 - 10 - 10 before and after the cactus flowers . However , as the plant come out of winter dormancy , use a fertiliser with an NPK ratio of 2 - 10 - 10 . This is the best elbow room to encourage raft of flowers to blossom .
Pruning Orchid Cactus
Pruning an orchid cactus is unremarkably necessary to control the length of its stems . ManyEpiphyllumspecies have arching and woody staunch that produce 4 to 6 foot . ( 1.2 – 1.8 m ) long . You may have to prune orchid cactus stems if they are dying or turn yellow .
Propagating Orchid Cactus from Leaf Cuttings
It is easy to propagateEpiphyllumcacti using stem cuttings . Although you could use any stems for cutting , the best ones are those with flyspeck hairs along the margins . Then , all you need to do is remove a sizeable section of theme to propagate .
To propagate an orchid cactus , use fix tool to cut a 4 ” to 6 ” ( 10 – 15 centimetre ) piece of root word . Place the cutting on a paper towel for seven days to allow the swing end to form a callus . After that , all you take to do is place the gash end into moist potting soil and keep it in a warm place for three to six weeks . After this metre , roots should have organise .
you may then repot your orchid cactus into a new wad or leave it to grow in its subsist container .
When Should You Repot Orchid Cactus?
It ’s a good idea to repot an orchidaceous plant cactus every three old age or so . Orchid cacti grow more flowers when they are potbound . Therefore , you do n’t need to repot them too often . The best time to repot an orchid cactus is in declivity or winter . This way , you wo n’t emphasise the roots and affect blooming .
Orchid cactus plants are fast - grow , alimentary - hungry plants that can run through potting soil of nutrients . Therefore , repot anEpiphyllumevery few years gives you a luck to review the filth and refill nutrient .
When repotting an orchid cactus , choose a toilet that is one size larger than its current container . Also , opt an appropriatepotting mixture for cactus plants .
An alternative to repotting an orchid cactus is to top - primp the industrial plant . This process involves adding a overbold layer of refreshed potting mix . All you have to do is remove 2 ” ( 5 cm ) of pot grime from the top level . Then add fresh peat moss or compost to the pot and fill the soil to the same level as before .
How to Make Orchid Cactus Bloom
seem after an orchid cactus is straightforward . However , ensuring that theEpiphyllumcactus blooms on a regular basis is more ambitious . Here are four way to increase the chance of your orchid cactus flower :
Resting period in wintertime — set the orchid cactus succulent in a cool , dry place for eight to ten weeks in winter and water infrequently . This cognitive process permit the plant ’s buds to rig .
Sufficient light — Throughout the year , keep theEpiphyllumcactus in stack of bright , indirect light . essay to avoid the flora growing in red-hot , verbatim sun .
Fertilization — In late wintertime , use a low - atomic number 7 fertilizer to encourage blooming . When the orchid cactus commence to bloom , discontinue fertilizing .
Give it some peace — Avoid the enticement to move the plant around too much when buds appear . Sudden alteration in light and temperature can cause the buds to overleap .
Pests Affecting Orchid Cactus Growth
Orchid cacti can be affected bymealybugs , wanderer tinge , and scale insect . To get free of hemipteran from your succulent orchid cactus , expend aneem oil nebulizer . integrate 2 tsp . neem oil colour and 1 tsp . fluent dish soap with a quart ( 1 l ) of urine in a sprayer bottle . Spray all the leafy stems with the DIY neem spray once a week to bolt down bug .
Here are some ways to spot the signs of pests on your orchid cactus :
Mealybugs — pocket-size insect that bet like spots of cotton fiber and will behind a cottonwool - same white centre on the orchid cactus fleshy stems .
Spider mite — front for thin WWW or entanglement structures dangling from leaves . Neem crude cankill spider mites fast .
Scale insects — scurf on an orchid cactusis challenging to spot , but face for unusual bump - similar increase on the fleshy stems .
Diseases Affecting Orchid Cactus Growth
Root rot and fungous infection are the primary diseases affecting orchid cactus plant . The best elbow room to avoid decaying roots is never to overwater your succulent orchidaceous plant cactus . Only water the industrial plant when the top layer of soil is dry . On the other hand , never countenance the soil dry out completely .
Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum Cactus) Care — FAQs
Is orchid cactus poisonous?
plant in the genusEpiphyllumare not classified as toxic to humans or animals .
Why are my orchid cactus flower buds dropping?
The most usual reason for prime bud to drop from orchid cactus stems is sudden changes in the environment . Factors such as drafts , too much heat , and a deficiency of humidity are just some of the reasons why blossom bud decrease off from an orchid cactus root .
How long does it take for an orchid cactus to bloom?
It takes between three and five years before an orchid cactus prime . style to encourage bloom let in grant the plant to become rootbound , giving it tidy sum of visible light , and allowing it to rest in a cool topographic point during wintertime .
Why isn’t my orchid cactus blooming?
reason why an orchid cactus fails to produce flowers include a deficiency of sunlight , overwatering , few grunge nutrients , or in high spirits temperatures during wintertime . In summation , an orchid cactus wo n’t bloom if the dirt does n’t have enough potassium and phosphorus and too much N .
How do I know when my night-blooming orchid cactus will flower?
The only way to bed if a pansy of the nighttime orchid will bloom is to discipline the flower buds every evening . Typically , nocturnalEpiphyllumcacti bloom once a yr during June and July . To capture the outstanding blooming spectacle , check the orchid cactus every evening in the summer to see if the heyday is quick .
related to articles :
