How to make the epiphyllum bloom
Let me tell you about how to make the epiphyllum bloom and master the cultivation tips for epiphyllum. The following article will introduce you to this knowledge by the site editor for netizens.
To cultivate epiphyllum, you need to master "skills" for continuous blooming from summer to autumn, or it will only grow leaves if not careful.
The epiphyllum belongs to the cactus family. Although it doesn't look like a cactus, it indeed is one. Many people like to keep a pot of epiphyllum at home because it is beautiful to watch it bloom, even though its flowering period is short and it opens at night. Being able to admire the fleeting beauty of the epiphyllum is a delightful experience. However, when grown at home, the epiphyllum often doesn't bloom. In fact, it's quite simple to make it bloom, and its flowering period is quite long, able to bloom continuously from the beginning of summer until the end of autumn. But you must master the skills; many people can't get them right, resulting in no flowers at all.
1. It needs light
The epiphyllum is a plant of the cactus family, and cacti need plenty of light. Sufficient light can make its leaves age quickly and allow its flower buds to differentiate completely. Any flowering plant needs plenty of light to bloom. When cultivating epiphyllum, always remember to place it in a well-lit area throughout the year, regardless of growth or dormancy. Even in summer, it doesn't fear direct sunlight as long as we don't let it lack water.
2. Proper pruning
Does the epiphyllum need pruning? Of course, it does. The epiphyllum has a characteristic: if it's a young cutting, it won't bloom with tender leaves after one year. Therefore, to make the epiphyllum bloom, it must be a plant that is more than two years old. However, the epiphyllum needs to develop flower buds from old leaves. In spring, it rapidly grows new leaves, which become thicker and harder throughout the autumn. These larger new leaves don't have flower buds; the flower buds grow from the leaves from the previous year. So, by summer, we need to prune it by cutting off all the small leaves that have just emerged, not leaving any, to allow the old leaves to differentiate flower buds. This reduces nutrient consumption and allows the flower buds to develop rapidly. If it keeps growing new leaves, the chances of blooming are almost zero. Therefore, clearing the small leaves that have just emerged before entering summer can help it differentiate flower buds.
3. Fertilizer selection
In summer, fertilizer should also be supplemented. If you剪掉了 (cut off) its small leaves and still give it high-nitrogen fertilizer, it will still grow leaves rapidly. So, in summer, after cutting off its small leaves, we should supplement it with phosphorus, as phosphorus fertilizer promotes flowering. Choose a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content and no lack of other elements, such as "Flower多多 2号 (Flower多多 No. 2)." Supplement it 1-2 times a month, and with more phosphorus, it won't grow buds but will quickly differentiate flower buds from the old leaves, bloom, and continue until the end of autumn. Using a high-phosphorus fertilizer consistently can ensure continuous blooming.
The epiphyllum is very easy to care for, drought-resistant, and simple to maintain. However, if you want it to bloom, you need to take care of these three points, and it can bloom continuously from summer to autumn. Additionally, water it properly, following the principle of watering when the soil is completely dry. Ensure good soil ventilation and permeability, with half of the soil being granular, and maintain proper ventilation. Your epiphyllum won't have any problems.
The above information introduces how to make the epiphyllum bloom and a comprehensive method for mastering the cultivation skills of epiphyllum. I hope it can act as a starting point to solve your problems with green plants.