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Growing this flowering cactus is easy, but a few things you can do will help it to bloom: Give it a winter rest. A cool, dry rest for about 8-10 weeks in winter are needed for the plant to set buds. Shed some light. Keep your orchid cactus in bright, indirect light year-round. Feed it. Leave it alone.
Are orchid cactus easy to grow?
Virtues: Orchid cactus is an easy-to-grow houseplant that produces stunning flowers over a period of several weeks in the spring. It tolerates dry air and lapses in watering.
How fast does an orchid cactus grow?
Orchid cacti take a long time (around 5 years) to grow flowers if you plant them from the seeds. A quicker way to propagate the plant is to cut a thick leaf about 4 inches (10 cm), let it dry out a few days, and place it in the soil upside down about 1 or 2 inches, so it won’t fall over.
How often do you water orchid cactus?
Native to tropical rainforests where it grows on trees, this indoor plant doesn’t want it soil to be moist all the time and will rot if it’s overwatered. That often means watering once every 10 days or so, depending on conditions such as plant size, temperature, and how much light your orchid cactus gets.
How much sun does an orchid cactus need?
Light Requirements: Cacti do best in filtered sunlight. They seem to like a few hours of full morning sun, but never full midday sun. If wintering your plants in the house, place them in a cool (40 plus degrees F) room.
How do you take care of an orchid cactus?
How to Make Orchid Cactus Bloom Give it a winter rest. A cool, dry rest for about 8-10 weeks in winter are needed for the plant to set buds. Shed some light. Keep your orchid cactus in bright, indirect light year-round. Feed it. High-phosphorus fertilizer will encourage more blooms. Leave it alone.
How long does an orchid cactus bloom last?
Flowering time: epiphyllum are often grown as houseplants as they are relatively fuss-free. When they reach maturity, which is around 5 years old, they will produce large, showy flowers, which are usually sweetly scented and last two days or more.
Do orchid cactus only bloom at night?
While most plants flower for weeks, orchid cacti only blossom for a few short hours a year, and always at night. Botanists name it Epiphyllum oxypetalum, but the plant’s elaborate, nocturnal mating dance has earned it the nickname of “Queen of the Night” or “Lady of the Night.”Jun 29, 2015.
Is an orchid cactus the same as a Christmas cactus?
One example is the orchid cactus, a plant closely related to the more common Christmas cactus. The plant is propagated by breaking off a few of the flat-leafed, lobed stems from a parent plant and inserting them into a pot of soilless mix. In a year, these stems will produce blooms.
Why isn’t my orchid cactus blooming?
Some orchid cactuses don’t bloom if they haven’t been fed appropriate fertilizer. You should never apply a fertilizer with more than 10 percent nitrogen, as too much nitrogen can lead to leggy growth at the expense of flowering.
Why is my orchid cactus dying?
These are common with too much soil moisture, an improper soil medium or deep shade. If the foliage directly above the soil line becomes brown and mushy, the chances are root rot has occurred; take stem cuttings on non-affected growth by following the tips mentioned in ‘Propagation’.
Why is my orchid cactus turning yellow?
Watch your cactus for over- or under-exposure to light. Yellowish wilted growth usually means your plant is getting too much light. Weak leggy plants are not getting enough light. Adequate water is essential for successful flowering of the Epiphyllum orchid cactus.
Are used coffee grounds good for orchids?
In order to keep your hard to grow orchids thriving, they will need to be fed properly. Orchids require very low amounts of fertilizer when they are actively growing leaves and roots. Coffee grounds are an excellent fertilizer, especially for orchids and African violets.
How do I get my Epiphyllum to bloom?
In late winter, stimulate bloom production by placing the cactus in an unheated space that’s above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a garage or porch, for about three weeks. Make sure it continues to receive the same filtered light. At the end of the chilling period, return the plant to its place indoors.
How do you grow an Epiphyllum orchid cactus?
Caring for Epiphyllum Cacti Choose a filtered light location for growing Epiphyllum cactus. A site where they get full morning sun but shelter from high noon light is best for their growth. Use a diluted fertilizer of 10-10-10 during the growth periods in spring and fall.
What is the best fertilizer for orchid cactus?
Once a week during the summer and fall, you should fertilize your plant to encourage healthy growth and development. A balanced 10-10-10 mixture diluted to a quarter teaspoon per gallon is the ideal fertilizer for most orchid cactus varieties.
How do you trim an orchid cactus?
Orchid cacti do not require frequent pruning, but annual maintenance pruning helps keep the plant balanced and healthy. Disinfect bypass pruners in a 10 percent diluted bleach solution, mixing 1 part chlorine bleach with 9 parts water. Clip off all flowers after the blossoms expire.
What kind of soil does an orchid cactus need?
In nature, orchid cacti usually grow on trees. Mimic these conditions by choosing a soil mix that holds moisture but drains quickly. Consider three parts potting soil to one part pumice or perlite, or half peat moss-based potting soil to one part perlite. As for pH levels, aim on the acidic side: A pH of six is ideal.
Should you water cactus when blooming?
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Transplantation: Repot your cactus each year after flowering.
