orchidsrus

[bluecactus]

I was recently give a cereus orchid cutting at least that's what my friend called it. However, in researching a bit I fould that it is a epiphllium orchid.

The cereus is a orchid cactus and is tall, round and has loads of needles. The epiphllium orchid has long, flat green curvey leaves, climbs and get very large. Both apparently are night bloomers. Anyone know the real scoop?
ps hope i spelled them correctly.

[Becky15349]

I found a great article that addresses the cultural requirements of epiphytic cacti:

Desert vs. Epiphytic Cacti - Cacti and Succulents

[Royal]

I don't think any of the plants described are orchids. Neat plants though.

[beanluc]

I am a big fan of epiphyllums.

They are in the cactus family, and are casually called "orchid cactus" by some and "leaf cactus" by many. In nature, they grow the same way that many orchids do: on trees, as epiphytes. And they have generally spectacular flowers.

While these plants, botanically speaking, are cacti, they shouldn't be grown like most cacti and other desert succulents. Their natural habitat actually is upon the trees in Central American jungles. I grow them in "cactus mix" which is rich in organic matter. Most "cactus mixes" are lean, so I add compost or leaf mold. It's important that the potting mix drains very well, which is the reason I start off with "cactus mix" and then amend it. However, unlike most cactus and desert succulents, epiphyllum shouldn't be allowed to completely dry out between waterings.

At any rate, they're hardy and tolerant of quite a range of conditions. As long as they're not abusively over-watered or violently neglected, they live and grow well and should flower every summer, once they're established in a new pot or a new environment. That usually takes one year, although in my own experience, YMMV, the species known as "night blooming cereus" or "dutchman's pipe", "Epiphyllum oxypetalum", known for night blooming, short-lived flowers, and incredible scent, must reach a size filling and overflowing a 6" pot before it will bloom. Epiphyllums will take a lot more feeding than cacti and desert succulents do, because they grow a lot faster and bloom more profusely.

Most epiphyllums are hybrids, created from two or more of a few dozen species in the genera Epiphyllum, Hylocera and/or Selenicereus. These hybrids generally are a little easier to grow and bloom than a species plant, just like is often true of orchid hybrids vs. species.

There's an Epi board on the interwebs that's just as lively and helpful as the Orchidboard here.

Enjoy, and good luck,
BL

[bluecactus]

Thank U so much, now I feel a bit more educated. I will research more to find out abt. care.

Oh also, if the plant has a tiny white kinda fluffy spot, what does that mean? I remove the powdery residue incase it might be a bug and I sprayed with soap insecticide.

[cb977]

A tiny fluffy spot sounds like mealie bugs to me.
I use a 50/50 mix of alcohol and 409 cleaner to get rid of them. Spray and wipe away, make sure you remove any that might be down in the crevices of the plant.

[beanluc]

Originally Posted by bluecactus

if the plant has a tiny white kinda fluffy spot, what does that mean?

The bug precaution couldn't hurt. If the tiny white fluffy spot is in a small natural notch (not an injury) on the edge of a leaf, then it may just be a needle bundle. Epiphyllums are often described as needle-less, but some do have very small needles.

Here are pictures of these natural needle bundles:


and you can easily find pictures of mealy bugs.

Enjoy your orchid cactus! If it's really a "night-blooming cereus", you can have friends over for a little night blooming party on the night it occurs. If there are many buds, YAY you'll have flowers for more than just one night.

BL

[bluecactus]

Thnx all.
cb77 / beanluc do U mean Rubbing alcohol or Alcohol (Alcol? like found in liquour stores)? And where might I purchase 409. Should I just use a Q-tip amount? place Nubie here . . . and very new to orchids.

[cb977]

LOL...rubbing alcohol is the one.

If you can't get 409, you can mix some dishwashing soap (not Dawn) with water and use that instead.