NATURE ATTRACTION – Large, gaping flowers with outrageous color and form make the Epiphyllum ‘Orchid Cactus’ such outstanding specimen. These most amazing blooms bring beauty of the flower world to new heights. A wonderful trailing plant that lives for decades on end is a must have heirloom.
KEY TIPS – Place outside in summer. These plants are trailing by nature and require a pedestal under container or need to be planted in a hanging basket. In the winter months inside the home, plants slow down their growth. Water sparingly once or twice a month from November – March. This helps to encourage buds.
SHELF LIFE – Be careful of the slight prickly areas on the leaves of the starts. Unpack your plant(s) immediately removing any packing material Water plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot(s).
PLANT Preparation- Cut away any yellow or brown leaves or broken stems that may have occurred.  This grooming is completely normal.
POTTED PLANTS- These plants are trailing by nature and require a pedestal under their container or need to be planted in a hanging basket. Repot the plants into larger 6 inch pots separately or together in one 8-10 inch container. You may move them up once every few years. Plants never need a pot larger than 12 inch container.
Soil- They like bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will drain well.  Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite, vermiculite, soil and sand. 
GARDEN PREPARATION – Plants should be grown in containers.
PLANTING SPACING – These plants must be grown in containers. Crowding is o.k.
PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH – These will grow about 6-10 inches per year up to 15-20 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide.
Water- Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot. Be sure to keep excess water out of any saucer underneath pot. During the spring and summer water them once a week all summer long. Water sparingly once or twice a month from November – March. This helps to encourage buds.
FERTILIZER- To promote more flowers use a well balanced fertilizer like Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) once a month spring through late summer. They enjoy leaf feeding as often as once a week.
LIGHTING- Full or partial sun is best in summer. In winter months bright diffused light is more than sufficient.
Blooming – Water sparingly once or twice a month from November – March. This helps encourage buds to form. They will bloom beginning with the second season from spring –summer. Once they start they do so for decades on end.
TEMPERATURE ZONE 10 to 11- When nights stay above 55 degrees place your plants outside and leave them there all summer long- the hotter the better. The point is they like a change in day to night temperatures to grow and bloom properly. When temperatures drop below 45 degrees in the autumn, bring your plants inside. If you live where nights rarely drop below 45 degrees, you can leave your plants outside year round.
WINTER SEASON - In the winter months inside the home, plants slow down their growth. Water sparingly once or twice a month from November – March. This helps to encourage buds.
SUPPORT - These plants are trailing by nature and require a pedestal under container or need to be planted in a hanging basket.
PRUNING – In summer, you can give these plants a trim or ‘haircut’. It is a win-win proposition because you can plant the healthy tip cutting that you have cut. In addition, it will increase the bushy nature of the plant considerably.
PROPAGATING – In summer, cut at least a 6 inch tip cutting(s). Let it dry out for one week and plant them. Water them once a week letting the soil dry out on the surface.
GROOMING - If part of a leaf get damaged or broken, cut away about an inch below the blemish. This ‘haircut’ will increase the bushy nature of the plant considerably! In addition, always remove spent flowers.
LEAF CLEANING - Monthly misting with a solution of soapy water will insure glossy pest free leaves. Mix one half teaspoon of standard liquid dish soap and one half teaspoon of vegetable oil in a quart spray bottle of water, shake, and mist the plant profusely.