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Oct 16, 2015 2:39 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
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Got one in trade .. it's my first Epiphyllum and I don't know anything about it ... so can anyone tell me what kind of substrate it prefers and also will it do ok in a heated greenhouse in winter that doesn't get below 40 degrees or do I need to keep it indoors?

Thanks!
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Oct 16, 2015 3:53 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
I use a cactus mix for mine. Some use an orchid mix...anything that is fast draining will work. As long as it doesn't freeze it should be good in your greenhouse. Mine hang from the trees all year, but I'm zone 10A.
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Oct 16, 2015 4:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
Thanks Carol .. I have some orchid mix .. I'll repot it with that in a hanging basket.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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Oct 16, 2015 7:25 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
I grow Zig-Zag Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus) in a mix of potting soil with lots of Orchid Bark mixed in. I think it will work for Ric-Rac Cactus (Disocactus anguliger) as well. They both look so much alike but flowers are different and Epiphyllum doesn't have spines like the Selenicereus.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Oct 16, 2015 7:30 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
My Ric-Rac cactus did well in a heated greenhouse last winter. In fact, it seemed to grow some. You have me thinking I need to repot it in orchid mix. I have it in a mix of 50/50 soil and perlite.
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Oct 16, 2015 9:05 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
Cheryl that's what mine is in at the moment as well but I'm definitely going to repot it in the orchid mix before it goes into the greenhouse.

Lin I didn't know there were 2 separate genus with the same name .. I'm going to have to take a closer look at mine to see if it has spines!
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Oct 16, 2015 10:52 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
@Xeramtheum My plant is thriving so I hesitate to change the soil. I might wait til spring to give it a boost but really, it seems to be doing well. I have moved it from place to place and it seems to do well in bight shade/morning sun. I read this article that has me believing that the soil we have mixed is well draining and okay for Rik Rac Cactus.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.co...
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Oct 17, 2015 8:29 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Xeramtheum said: Lin I didn't know there were 2 separate genus with the same name .. I'm going to have to take a closer look at mine to see if it has spines!

Yep, that's the trouble with "common names" ... many plants of different genera have the same common names ... some from entirely different families of plants!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Oct 17, 2015 8:32 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
ShadyGreenThumb said:@Xeramtheum My plant is thriving so I hesitate to change the soil.

Thumbs up Cheryl, I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it! If your plant is happy and healthy, I sure wouldn't change a thing. The soil/orchid bark mix works for me with the growing conditions in my area and my watering habits, etc. but may not be the best choice for others.
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Oct 17, 2015 9:14 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
Well it appears that I have Selenicereus anthonyanus and not the Epiphyllum anguliger. Thanks Lyn for pointing out the differences! Actually I'm thrilled! I love red flowers! Does this change anything as far as taking good care of it?

Thumb of 2015-10-17/Xeramtheum/536242
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Oct 17, 2015 10:16 AM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Wait. What? No spines on the epiphyllium? I need to take a closer look. I picked up on the soil part and ignored the rest!
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Oct 17, 2015 1:05 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Selenicereus anthonyanus, right?
Thumb of 2015-10-17/ShadyGreenThumb/9d54fa
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Oct 17, 2015 1:41 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Don't listen to me, LOL. I always heard that Epiphyllum didn't have spines but perhaps some varieties do?

Well, I googled and this site says that Epiphyllum for the most part are spineless except as young seedlings: http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?...

The same site states that some Selenicereus are spineless while others have tiny hairlike spines: http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?...

My Selenicereus anthonyanus has sporadic tiny spines along the stems but those flower tube thingies are very spiny!
Thumb of 2015-10-17/plantladylin/56b47a
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Oct 17, 2015 3:27 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
I was able to barely translate a web page that gave the differences between the two .. the main way to tell the difference is by the flowers .. the Selenicereus anthonyanus are red and the Epiphyllum anguliger are white.

Here is the page .. http://www.infojardin.com/foro...
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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Oct 17, 2015 5:50 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Greenhouse Plant Identifier Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Plumerias Ponds
Foliage Fan Enjoys or suffers hot summers Tropicals Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Ok. Someone please make my plant bloom so I'll know for sure! Thumbs up
Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh
uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.
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Oct 17, 2015 6:14 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
How old is your plant? Most need to be crowded/ rootbound to bloom. Most are seasonal bloomers in any event. If this was a rooted cutting, it may take a couple of years to bloom...depends on genes and weather. Most of the ones with large, showy flowers are hybrids, so if you don't know the genetics of the plant, you just wait for that spectacular show. Growing them is very much like growing orchids...except they aren't as disease prone as orchids. Basics are well draining mix, filtered or morning sun, balanced fertilizer during growth period, and no freezing temps. In My zone we stop feeding in Oct., then start with bloom formula in spring.
Cant' wait for updates/ pictures.
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Oct 17, 2015 8:50 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
Thanks Carol .. I think tomorrow I'll repot with an orchid mix .. Like Lin I'm a "if it aint broke don't fix" person ... but ... MJ wrote about a year ago that Anthuriums liked orchid mix and I just recently got around to repotting all of mine from ProMix to the orchid mix ... I was astonished at effect the different substrate had .. for years they always looked pretty and green but stayed rather small, not growing very much at all .. 2 months after I repotted them into the orchid mix they all had doubled in size.

Could this be a bud?

Thumb of 2015-10-18/Xeramtheum/647616
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Last edited by Xeramtheum Oct 17, 2015 9:15 PM Icon for preview
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Oct 18, 2015 1:23 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Looks like it's growing air roots to me.
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Oct 20, 2015 2:14 PM CST
Name: bob johnson
deep run n.c. (Zone 7b)
orchids, orchid cactus, iris, and d
ctcarol: mine also have air roots. Mine also are covered in brown small indentations that I would like to determine the cause of. It makes for ugly limbs! bob
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Oct 20, 2015 6:50 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
Bookworm Charter ATP Member Region: California Hummingbirder Orchids Plant Identifier
Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge)
Wish I could help you, Bob, but I don't know what causes those things to occur, aside from scale damage. Some just seem to be prone to it more than others. I have the same problems. German Empress is the worst!

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Last edited by ctcarol Oct 20, 2015 6:53 PM Icon for preview
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