What Epiphyllums Need to Bloom

Epiphyllums – Tips to Make Them Bloom

Epiphyllums or orchid cactus looks quite spectacular when they bloom. Epiphyllums normally bloom during the springtime. They have a big cup shaped flowers that come out in a wide variety of colours. The flowers open up for several weeks during the blooming cycle. If you are looking to bloom the orchid cactus, then you need to take special care. The plant needs the right kind of atmosphere to bloom. The flowers come out at the end of the stem during spring time and are about 4 to 5 inches wide. The flowers are seen in purple, pink, red, white, orange or yellow colours. For the plant to bloom, you need to provide it with the right conditions and plenty of light.

Tips for Growing Epiphyllum Cactus Plants

The following are the tips that you need to follow to grow the Epiphyllums in your garden.

• Light is an important factor for its growth. You need to place the plant in an area where it receives partial sunlight right throughout the day. They are happy to grow in bright spots or in areas where they receive filtered sun. You can also place them in light shaded porticos or hang them from the trees. Care should be taken that they receive at least a few hours of partial sunlight every day to grow.
• The orchid cactus needs a slightly moist soil and does not need the soil to be wet. It is also important for you to not leave the soil completely dry. You can feed the plant with a diluted household fertiliser solution during its growing period.
• It is important for you to plant the orchid cactus in a porous soil mix that is full of nutrients, whenever you are transplanting. You need not have to bury the plant deeply in the soil. It is better to use clay pots than plastic pots as it will allow more air to enter.

How to Make Orchid Cactus Plants Flower?

The following are the tips that you can make use of to ensure that your orchid cactus blooms well.

• It is important for you to give the plant much needed rest during winter. This means that it needs a dry rest for about 8 to 10 weeks of the winter season in order to set the buds.
• You should only water the plant very sparingly during winter and never think of fertilising the plant during winter time.
• It is important that the orchid cactus gets partial sunlight all round the year. If you are moving the plant outdoors during summer time, make sure you are placing it in a shaded place away from direct sunlight.
• Feed the plant with organic high potassium fertiliser to aid in blooming. This fertiliser has to be fed from early spring through to Autumn.
• Never move the plant from its location once it starts to bud. You should never change the temperature and light when it starts to bud as this might cause it to drop the flower and the bud.
• You should also move the plant to a bigger size pot every two to three years. Repotting must be done only during early spring and this way your Epiphyllums will bloom regularly during spring time.
  Click Here to learn how to grow plant and fertilise an epiphyllum cactus from a cutting