How To Propogate Orchid Cactus In Bloom

I’ll admit, I was not familiar with the plant referred to as orchid cactus until just a few weeks ago, when I at long last decided to take cuttings from my neighbor’s plant and actually take a close look as who was producing these amazing blooms year after year! An orchid cactus (from the genus Epiphyllum) is a tropical jungle cactus native to Central and South America. Unlike desert cacti, they are epiphytes that naturally grow on tree branches rather than in the soil. They are famous for their lush, leaf-like stems and massive, vibrant flowers, and friends I can’t believe I didn’t know about this plant! It is true, I do know about the x-mas cactus, with is a relative, and I used to post about the plant on this blog, but nothing quite compares to these huge blooms.

Interestingly enough, the flowers seen here are blooms on non-rooted cuttings, meaning I took some pieces from the plant that despirately needed trimming, just when there were some small buds, and those buds continued to grow and bloom after simply placing the cuttings in moist soil, now that is truly amazing if you ask me!

To propogate orchid cactus, simply take 12-20cm long cuttings and place in soil. I have read that it is better to let the soil dry out, not keeping it moist as with other propogation method. I’ll add a note here when I actually see roots, to see how it went!

My neighbor’s plant while dearly loved has been neglected as far as its shape, and care, meaning it has very long never trimmed sparse branches, and is grown is full sun, whereas as an epiphyte it surely prefers some shade.

These lovely blooms don’t last more than a week or two, so they have now fallen off and I’m hoping these cuttings will root soon so I can grow orchid cacti to enjoy in bloom next year!

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