Best Buds
This spring my epiphyllum finally bloomed. Mesmerized at the giant fuchsia-colored flower filled with delicate, tassel-like white stamens, I returned throughout the day to gaze on the stunning bloom.
Commonly known as epies or orchid cactus, these flowering jungle cactuses have forgettable foliage, but their blooms are breathtaking.
“No other flower can match the epiphyllum,” says Jerry Williams, horticulturist for Rainbow Gardens Nursery in Vista, a mail-order company that carries a variety of flowering jungle cactuses.
Epies are tropical (not desert) cactuses with flat or triangular succulent stems that are notched, yet spineless. Many have arching and trailing stems and look good in hanging pots, tubs or baskets.
Flowers range from quarter-sized, to 12 inches across and come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, yellow, pink, rose, lavender, scarlet, orange and red. They generally bloom from April through June, with each bloom lasting one to three days.
The original epiphyllums introduced to this country were night-blooming white cactuses, says Pat Dobbins, owner of Epies by Pat nursery in Placentia. “The day-blooming plants you see today are hybrids; they’re propagated all over the world.”
With more than 8,500 named varieties of epies, there’s something for just about everyone, says Dobbins, who notes that their names are unusual.
“Two of my favorite names are ‘My Oh My’ and ‘Wonderful One.’ Other peculiar names include ‘Dracula,’ ‘Ivan the Terrible,’ ‘Puppy Love,’ ‘Smarty Pants’ and ‘Miss America,’ ” she says.
Despite their stunning flowers, epies are actually easy to grow, says Peter Jessup, who co-owns, with his wife, Leah, Blooming Candy nursery in Tustin, which specializes in epies.
“Give them the right conditions and they will thrive, and give them the wrong conditions and they will often flower a little anyway,” he says.
For healthy prolific bloomers, keep the following epie planting and care tips in mind:
* Exposure. Most experts suggest giving epies a small amount of morning sun and then afternoon shade, or filtered sun throughout the day. Good air circulation is also important.
* Soil requirements. Epies need well-draining soil that retains some moisture. Potting mixes vary, but generally contain bark, perlite or pumice, leaf mold (if accessible) and potting soil. Dobbin’s mix consists of 2 parts potting soil, 1 part orchid bark, 1 part perlite and quarter-cup bone meal. Jessup prefers 50% finely ground bark and 50% potting soil.
* Propagating cuttings. Epies come potted or as rooted or unrooted cuttings. Cuttings are less expensive, but they will generally take two to four years to bloom once planted. (Mine took three years).
Cuttings need to be 6 to 8 inches long. If it is an unrooted cutting, the end should be callused over and dried. If not, let it sit in a cool place for at least a week before planting.
Plant both cutting types in a dry potting mix, one plant per container. For unrooted cuttings, dip in rooting hormone and place in the soil about 2 inches, covering up two notches. Rooted cuttings are planted the same way, but rooting hormone is not necessary.
Do not water either type of cutting for a week. Then water lightly and continue to water lightly on a weekly basis for one month.
In warm weather, epies take six to eight weeks to root. Check for rooting after a few weeks by gently tugging on the cuttings. If they feel snug and secure, they’re rooting. If they come out easily, put them back in and wait. If the end of the cutting appears to be rotting, however, cut off the bad part and let it cure for another week to two weeks and try again.
Opinions vary on the size of the pot best suited for epies. Some feel keeping them pot-bound in small pots is the secret to good blooming, while others think that giving them a little extra room provides a nutrient and water reservoir they can draw from during hot weather. Dobbins grows many of her epies in 8-inch pots, while Jessup prefers 15-gallon containers. Experiment and see what works for you.
* Watering. Epies should never be allowed to dry out completely, and they shouldn’t be kept continuously soggy, as both conditions will lead to poor growth and bud drop. Water thoroughly so the water flows out of the drainage holes and then water again when the top third of the soil mix is dry.
* Fertilizing. Regular fertilizing is important for healthy, prolific blooms. Feed your epies on a monthly basis from spring through fall. Opinions vary widely on what type of fertilizer, so experiment and see what works best for you.
* Monitoring. Epies are a big attraction for snails, which will leave ugly holes in the leaves. Either hand-pick the snails at night or use bait. A new bait product on the market called Sluggo is nontoxic and can be found at specialty nurseries.
Blooming Candy is open by appointment only. (714) 516-9773. Epies by Pat is open by appointment only. (714) 524-0994, https://www.epies.com.
Rainbow Gardens, (760) 758-4290, https://www.cactus-mall.com/rainbow--gardens. The catalog is $2.
