Is the epiphyllum a hegemonic flower?
Epiphyllum blooming in the night always arouses people's curiosity. This plant, known as the "Beauty under the Moon", is often confused with the Overlord flower, and its unique nighttime flowering habits are full of mystery. This article will take you to deeply understand the essential differences between these two plants and reveal the survival wisdom of epiphyllum blooming in the dark. Comparison of the morphological characteristics of epiphyllum oxyphyllum and overlord flowers Differences in plant families and genera Epiphyllum oxyphyllum belongs to the perennial fleshy shrub of the genus Epiphyllum in the cactus family, while Hylocereus undatus is a herb climbing plant in the genus Guangtianchi in the cactus family. Although both belong to the Opunaceae family, the two have differentiated in genus level classification. Differences in stem shape Epiphyllum has a typical flat and plate-like stem with wavy edges and a thickness of about 0.5-1 cm. The Bawang flower has a triangular prism shaped stem with clear angles and aerial roots. This structural difference directly affects its growth mode. Analysis of the Night Blooming Mechanism of Epiphyllum Epiphyllum, which is native to the tropical deserts of Mexico to Brazil, has evolved a unique Night Blooming strategy: close petals at a high temperature of 40 ° C during the day to reduce transpiration. When night falls, the temperature drops to around 25 ° C., buds with sufficient water storage bloom quickly, when pollinator bats and nocturnal insects are more active. The regularity of flowering time usually begins to bloom from 8 to 10 o'clock in summer night. The corolla diameter can reach 20 centimeters, and it takes about 2 hours for the milky white petals to fully unfold. The blooming period lasts for 3-4 hours and gradually closes with the arrival of dawn. This fleeting aesthetic feature earns it the reputation of "instant fragrance." Key points to promote the flowering and maintenance of epiphyllum japonica are temperature and humidity control to maintain the optimal growth temperature of 15-25℃, and no lower than 5℃ in winter. Use the "see dry and wet" watering method, maintain the air humidity at 60%-70%, and spray can be used to increase humidity but avoid leaf area water. Light and fertilization Receive bright scattered light in spring and summer, and light for 4-6 hours a day. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (N-P-K ratio is 5-10-5) are applied every half month during the growing period, and organic fertilizers such as bone meal are added during the bud appearing period. The soil and pruning use a mixed substrate of humus soil: coarse sand: vermiculite =3:1:1 to ensure good air permeability. Cut off residual flowers in time after flowering, and retain strong stems to promote secondary flowering.
Through scientific identification and careful maintenance, epiphyllum can perfectly reproduce the natural growth rhythm in an artificial environment. This kind of fairy blooming at night not only brings us a visual feast, but also interprets the survival wisdom of plants to adapt to the environment. Master its growth characteristics and you can also witness fleeting moments in your own courtyard.