Epiphyllums (Epicacti)

The hybrid epiphyllums are extremely attractive plants when in flower, hence the common name orchid cacti.   Many have flowers that are 15 cm or more across and older plants can have many hundreds of flowers at a time.  Many people think they should be called epicacti because most have no true species Epiphyllum blood in them at all.  More usually they are crosses with other related genera such as Nopalxochia, Heliocereus, Disocactus and Selenicereus to name just a few.

One of the larger flowered varieties, 'Space Rocket' has been illustrated in EpiSheets.  The plant illustrated on the right is 'Fantasy'.  The range of colours is now enormous, with virtually every colour being available except for blue.  

Cultivation of the hybrid epiphyllums is easy.  They root very easily from cuttings taken at most times of the year (though spring and summer is the best time).  They like a free draining compost with plenty of organic matter such as peat or leafmould, and should be watered carefully like any normal foliage houseplant.  Although they are true cacti, being of epiphytic origin in many cases, they should not be treated the same as terrestrial "desert cacti".  The compost should be kept just moist during the winter period and in spring and summer they appreciate frequent overheard sprays of water.