How to Grow Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum Orchid Cactus) | Making Delicious Flower Soups

How to Grow Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum Orchid Cactus) | Making Delicious Flower Soups Light Although the genus Epiphyllum belong to the cactus family, these plants often have strong shade tolerance and are not tolerant of sunlight. They thrive in scattered light and needs to be shielded from strong light to avoid sunburn - night blooming cereus makes a great houseplant, especially when placed in south-facing windows where being filtered through glass will greatly dampen the sunlight’s intensity. Make sure that you watch the plant carefully if you put it outside in summer in order to avoid sunburn. My night blooming cereus stays in this south window all year round - it is growing well and has never been burned. Temperature These plants prefer to remain warm and have certain requirements for temperature. Epiphyllum plants thrive between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. Their cold resistance is extremely poor, and they will sulk a bit if subjected to very hot temperatures. These plants must be moved indoors in winter, and it is best to provide an environment above 10 ℃. In summer, ventilation should be strengthened, and it is best to prevent the temperature from rising above 32 degrees Celsius. Their growth will suffer if these plants fall outside of the ideal temperature ranges for an extended period of time. Watering The water needs of night blooming cereus are similar to those of ordinary plants. When the soil in the pot is dry, just water it thoroughly, being careful not to allow water to accumulate in the pot - good drainage is crucial for the prevention of root rot. On the other hand, an extended dry period may also damage the roots. After such damage has been sustained, their leaves may become dry and yellow. During the peak growing season, these plants must be watered frequently, and when the air is too dry you may need to increase the ambient humidity. Fertilization During the peak growth season and flowering period, the plant has a high rate of energy consumption, so the application of fertilizer is desirable. You can use both slow release and direct fertilizers, but it’s important to avoid the over application of nitrogen fertilizers - this will cause your plant to get leggy and may stifle blooms. Night blooming cereus typically bloom from midsummer to early fall, so it’s best to use a lower nitrogen fertilizer as this blooming period approaches. If your plant isn’t blooming, then improper watering or fertilizing are the most likely culprits. Pruning and Propagation Night blooming cereus can have a very leggy, awkward habit that makes it necessary to cut them back. Overly ambitious growths can be removed to both keep the plant compact and preserve energy for blossoms. Wayward leaves can also be trained back towards the main body of the plant. If you do end up removing growth, it is very easy to make cuttings. You can divide the cut sections, let them dry for a few days, and then leave them in slightly moist soil for three weeks. They will eventually root and will begin to develop into brand new plants! Be sure to avoid over-watering. Potting Media These plants are not too picky when it comes to media or pot. Just insure that the media is breathable, with decent drainage and enough organic matter to retain some moisture. A mix of humus, potting soil, and sand would serve well - we have ours planted in shredded bark, and it seems to enjoy that.