Plant cuttings
Allow cuttings of Orchid Cactus - Epiphyllums to harden off for about one week before planting. Plant cuttings in a clean, dry potting soil mixture. The best potting mix is three parts commercial potting soil and one part small to medium pumice. If pumice is not available, use bark chips or perlite. The soil must hold moisture but drain quickly.
Plant the cutting upside down for best results. Plant the small growing end 1–2 inches in the soil. Two (and only two) of the leaf serrations should be below the soil level. Place the pot in a bright, shaded place. Rooted cuttings should not be allowed to dry out. Water lightly at first and then water once a week. The only exception is in the winter months when the cactus "rests." During this time, water about once a month.
Water requirements
Never let the epiphyllums roots dry out. Allow the top third of the soil to dry out before watering. Overwatering is the greatest danger in raising these cacti.
Orchid cacti have natural growth cycles during spring and fall. After flowering, the plants may appear a little wilted. Despite that, do not increase watering more than the usual schedule. During the winter, to encourage heavy flowering next year, place cacti in unheated bedroom or garage for two or three weeks and make certain they receive filtered light.
Light requirements
Cacti do best in filtered sunlight. They seem to like full morning sun but not full midday sun. If wintering your plants in the house, place them in a cool (40 plus degrees F) room. Lights should not be turned on after daylight hours. If lights are turned on after sundown, flowering for the following year may be delayed or affected.
Watch your cacti for over- or underexposure to light. Sunburned or yellowish, wilted growth means your plant is getting too much light. Weak, leggy growth means your plant is not getting enough light. Fresh green growth (light to dark green) with slightly red edges indicates that the plant is getting the right amount of light.
Temperature
Epiphyllums like 40–90 degrees F during the summer. Plants subjected to 32 degrees F and below die back.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer. Do not use a fertilizer that has a nitrogen content of over 10%. To encourage flower development, use 2-10-10 the last week of February and again at the end of October.
Plant pests
These plants suffer very little from plant pests. Fungus gnats may be a problem. If slugs or snails can get to these plants, they can do a lot of damage.
Epiphyllum flowers
Epiphyllum typically must be root bound before they will bloom. Their roots must fill the container before they will produce blossoms.
If plants are in a 4-inch pot, they will flower faster than if grown in an 8-inch pot. Flowering begins in late April (white and yellows), May (pink and reds), June and July (deep reds and purples).
Repotting epiphyllums
Plants should be repotted about every seven years. To repot, wait about a month after blooming. Do not remove all the soil around the root ball. Just gently shake off excess soil and then repot in fresh soil. Do not water repotted plant for a week. Water lightly for a month before returning to the regular watering schedule.
