We dispatch Epicati & Epiphyllums from 1st March - 30th June You receive a 6" - 10" cutting.(17cm – 25 cm)

 

Epicacti / Epiphyllum

These flowers are among the most gorgeous of the cacti family.

When you receive your cuttings plant in a clean, dry potting mix. The mix should hold moisture but drain quickly. Grow in hanging baskets or plastic pots as these are preferable to clay, as they don't dry out as fast.

Plant the small growing end of the cutting 1–2 inches deep in the soil. I usually have this marked for you. No more than two of the leaf “serrations'' should be below the soil level, any deeper this can encourage rot. Some growers stake the cuttings to keep them upright. Put the pots in a bright, shaded place for at least a month. Some advise on not watering the cuttings right away. Mist them for a couple of weeks.Wait a few weeks and then water lightly. I water mine straight away and then repeat with a light watering once a week thereafter. Keep an eye on the cuttings as they get adjusted to their new location. Remember that, after rooting, epicacti should not be allowed to dry out. They are rain forest cacti and need moisture. (The exception is in winter, when the plant is at rest.) If at any time it appears that a cutting is rotting (black rot at the base of the cutting where it meets the soil), gently remove the cutting and inspect it.If it has rotted, take a clean, sharp knife and remove the affected area. Harden this cutting off (dry off in a cool shaded area for several days to heal the wound) and begin the cycle again, taking care to water less than the first time.

Watering epicacti: The rule in raising Epis is to remember not to allow the roots to completely dry out. When you water during the spring, summer and fall, make sure to water thoroughly so that water drains freely from the pot's drainage holes. Allow the top 1/3d of the soil to dry out before watering again. To determine this, use your finger to see if the top inch of the soil is dry. If your plants are dried out completely, I usually soak composted soils in weta soil and place handfuls around the plants in their hanging baskets befoe giving them a good hosing. Otherwise you can soak the pots/baskets in a tub of water for an hour and then hang back out to drain.

Conway´s Giant

Orchid cacti have natural growth cycles during the spring and fall. During these seasons, their water requirements are greater than at other times of the year. Note that, after flowering, they go through a rest period due to the stress of producing flowers. The plants may appear a bit wilted, but do not become overly concerned and do not increase the amount of water. By the onset of fall, the plants should start regaining their plump, green appearance. During the winter months, water your plants just enough to keep them moist. Also during winter to encourage heavy flowering next year, epicacti require at least two to three weeks of cool temperatures. The best temperature range for flowering is 40–45 degrees F.

 

Rainbow Daylilies & Irises
www.rainbowdaylilies.com
Phone: 08 97553006 Mobile: 0437 206 207
Address: P.O Box 504, Dunsborough W.A. 6281
Email: rainbowdaylilies@hotmail.com