Epiphyllum

Q. I have an Epiphyllum plant that I cannot get to bloom. I purchased several stalks at the San Diego Zoo 10 years ago. The plant is healthy grows like a weed. It is now about 4-5 feet tall. I have tried fertilizing it have also tried "Miracle Grow". I'm to the point of throwing it out. Are these something that have been force-bloomed and will never bloom again. Should I still hope?

A. Epiphyllum prefer filtered sunlight or a few hours of morning or afternoon sun. The plants may be grown under lath shade cloth (density depends on your climate) a fully leafed tree or on a patio or near a window where they receive morning of afternoon sunlight. Epiphyllum may be raised under fluorescent grow-lights.

The main thing to remember about watering established Orchid Cacti is that the mix should never be allowed to dry out completely. when you water the plants do it thoroughly so that the water flows freely from the drain holes. Then allow the top 1/3 of the mix to dry before watering again. Use your finger to determine when this has happened. Nothing replaces checking the mix every few days to see whether it is time to water. Generally speaking clay pots will dry out faster than plastic ones. Plastic potted Epiphyllum require less attention then ones in clay pots. Orchid cactus go through natural growth cycles in the spring and again in the fall. Naturally they demand more water during this time. The plants usually rest after flowering and again during the winter months. Even if your plants look a little wilted from the stress of producing flowers do not increase the amount of water that you have been giving them. This is a natural phenomenon and the plants will usually recover their plump look by fall. During the winter months give the plants just enough water to stay moist.

When placed on a fertilizing schedule your plants should receive an application of balanced fertilizer (i.e. 6-6-6 10-10-10) at least once a month starting in spring and ending in fall. There are many good balanced fertilizers on the market that are excellent providing they are used according to package directions and are not too high in nitrogen (over 10%). It does not matter whether the fertilizer you select is liquid or granular. If you already have fertilizer on hand that has more than 10% nitrogen it is all right to use it providing you dilute it accordingly...as an example if your fertilizer contains 20% nitrogen use half the recommended amount or even less. It is always better to use too little fertilizer than too much.

In order to promote blooms and harden off tender young growth in time for winter use an application of low (or no) nitrogen fertilizer...0-10-10 or 2-10-10...once at the end of February and again in early November. Do not fertilize your plants during December or January.

They will tolerate extreme heat if some effort is made to keep them well shaded and the humidity level up [to at least 50%]

Cool winter temperatures [50§F] and long nights are necessary for bud formation to take place.

Epiphyllum prefer at least 50% humidity but will tolerate less. They really like free air movement but do not respond well to strong cold and hot winds. Do not crowd your plants too closely together.