Flowering succulant or cactus

by pookie
(Ohio)

I have a cutting from a plant and the "leaf" is about 10-12 in long and flat. Another part of the plant actually had a piece that was more triangle shaped. It is green and was in bloom with 3-4 inch hot pink colored blooms.



Drought Smart Plants reply:

Hi Pookie - I don't even need a picture to tell you what this plant is. Based on your description, what you have is an Epiphyllum. Closely related to Schlumbergera, they occupy a similar niche. Native to warm jungles, they live high in tree tops where they receive bright light, warm showers of rain, and the composted leaves in the angles of branches of the trees. Their blooms are enormous, in all shades of bright pink, red, white and yellow.

Care of these is the same as for the Schlumbergera or Christmas Cactus, with bright light, cool nights, and after a summer outdoors, a twelve hour night period to induce blooming. Water more during the time leading up to bloom, and taper it off after to allow the plant to rest. You can resume watering with tempered water (lukewarm) during the summer outside. Hopefully, your cutting will bloom just as enthusiastically as the mother plant!

Jacki

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Jun 06, 2011
 Orchid Cactus
by: Miranda

These are known by the common name of Orchid Cactus, because that's how fantastic the blooms are. I've grown them for many years in my outside lath house for the summer, where they get dappled shade, and warmth for all of June, July and August.

In September, I watch the weather forecast carefully, as they can't take any frost. After about the middle of the month, once the nights are cooler, I take them back indoors where they can start their bloom cycle.

The buds will start to form right at the ends of the 'leaves', so I think they are actually a modified stem. They're such an ugly plant that I often wonder why on earth I keep growing them, then they bloom and make it all worthwhile!

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