How to care for large-leafed epiphyllum
The editor will introduce to you how to care for large-leafed epiphyllum and the related knowledge of the breeding precautions of large-leafed epiphyllum. Let's understand together.
Epiphyllum is often also called琼花 (qiong hua), as the flowering time of epiphyllum is very short, usually only a few hours, hence the idiom "epiphyllum appears once" is used to describe its momentary beauty. As a famous ornamental plant, it is precisely because of its rare flowering that people have a strong interest in it. However, it is not easy to see epiphyllum bloom. How to cultivate epiphyllum properly to make it easier to bloom?
I. Planting epiphyllum
Cutting propagation is the most common method of cultivating epiphyllum, usually most suitable in May of each year. First, cut the tender green stems from a healthy epiphyllum plant as the main material for cutting. Generally, the length is often chosen to be between 12-15 centimeters, and each epiphyllum branch can be divided into two to three sections.
Different from most plants, the leaves on the cutting branches of epiphyllum have some considerations. Instead of choosing general tender leaves, branches with old leaves are chosen, and the leaf stripes are preferably not very obvious, leaves that have passed the development stage, usually of medium size.
In order to improve the survival rate of epiphyllum cuttings, we generally do not use the "straight insertion" method for cutting but choose "oblique insertion" or "shallow insertion" instead. This allows more of the stem to be exposed to the air, speeding up the healing of the stem wounds and promoting root growth.
The potted plants after cutting should not be grown under sunlight conditions, as the stems are prone to shrinkage, reducing the success rate of cutting. After cutting, it is necessary to spray water on the potted plants at regular intervals to prevent the environment from becoming dry, which can greatly affect the cutting.
How to care for large-leafed epiphyllum
II. Caring for epiphyllum
1. Soil
The growth of epiphyllum has high requirements for soil quality, usually needing to grow in fertile and well-drained humus or sandy soil, with certain requirements for drainage as well. When choosing soil, it is best to avoid using heavy clay soil, as this type of soil has poor breathability and is not good for the growth of epiphyllum.
2. Light and temperature
Epiphyllum needs sufficient light for good growth. Generally, it is not suitable for epiphyllum to grow under direct sunlight but rather to receive moderate scattered light or grow in a self-built greenhouse. Too much light can have irreversible effects on epiphyllum, often leading to the elongation of its branches and the withering of its leaves.
Every summer, it is necessary to prepare adequate shading for the potted epiphyllum. In autumn and winter, it can receive full sunlight, but the growth environment temperature must be above 10 degrees; if the temperature is too low, the plant often gets frostbitten.