Method of Epiphyllum Propagation
Comprehensive introduction to the propagation of Epiphyllum flowers, let's take a look together!
Epiphyllum is an epiphytic plant of the Cactaceae family. The shrub-like main stem is cylindrical. The branches are flat and leaf-like, mostly with 2 ridges and occasionally with 3 wings, with wavy and rounded teeth on the edges. Areoles are located at the notches of the rounded teeth. Young branches have bristly spines, while old branches are spineless. Large white flowers bloom in the evening during summer and autumn, commonly propagated by cutting.
After flowering in spring or summer, select slightly older leaf-like branches from mature plants, cut the cuttings about 15 centimeters long. Place the cuttings in a shaded and cool place to dry for 3-4 days, then insert them into moist yellow sand or a mixture of half vermiculite and half sand as the cutting substrate, with the cutting inserted 1/2 or 1/3 into the soil. After insertion, place in a shaded area and do not water for 20 days, water only after roots have formed.
Key points for Epiphyllum cultivation:
Potting soil can be a mixture of 2 parts peat soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part slag. Epiphyllum is drought-resistant, flood-sensitive, fertilizer-loving, and cold-averse. Therefore, when the plant starts to grow in spring, the watering principle is to water thoroughly when the potting soil is completely dry, and fertilize with a dilute solution every other watering instead of water.
Fertilizers mainly include decomposed cake fertilizer, diammonium phosphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc. Stop fertilizing after the buds appear, keep the potting soil moist during flowering, avoid too dry or too wet conditions. Additionally, remove new buds from the变态 stems during the bud stage to concentrate nutrients on the flower buds.
After flowering, prune promptly, remove old branches, and apply 1-2 times of nitrogen fertilizer. Summer is its vigorous growth period, with a higher demand for water and fertilizer. Keep the potting soil moist and apply a dilute fertilizer every 10 days. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer; pay attention to pruning, remove weak buds from the top and upper part of the变态 stem, and retain strong buds in the middle and lower part. In autumn, reduce watering and fertilizing appropriately when the potting soil is slightly dry.
In winter, which is the dormancy period, control watering, stop fertilizing, and keep the potting soil slightly dry. Sufficient sunlight is the primary condition for promoting abundant flowering in Epiphyllum, therefore, in a greenhouse, ensure adequate light throughout the year and avoid direct strong sunlight in the midday summer.
This article shares some small knowledge and experience about the propagation method of Epiphyllum flowers. I hope this article can bring you some help!