On Mar 2, 2011, Omar956 from Mcallen, TX wrote: Can you plant a Night-bloomers leaf? My professor gave us a Night blooming leaf (probably the Cactus, Night blooming Cereus). He told us that we just needed to put the leaf in water for three weeks, which will grow roots. Then plant the leaf with roots in a pot with dirt. But this is a cactus. Won't it cause the leaf to just rot away from the excess water??? I already asked him twice, and I'm afraid he might get annoyed from my lack of trust. Also if what my teacher said is correct. Then how much water should I put for the leaf? And what kind of minerals, or plant-base can I add to help the leaf produce roots. Would aloe vera be good for the leaf? Or maybe a little bit of organic dirt? On Sep 10, 2006, jaspersdale from Jasper, IN wrote: My neighbor gave me a start from his Epiphyllum oxypetalum two years ago. Last spring (2005) I moved it to my yard after danger of frost had past. It rewarded me with three spectacular blooms. In the fall, I moved it to an unheated bedroom with a northern exposure where the temperature stayed around 50 degrees through the winter. This spring I moved the pot to my yard to a place where it had full exposure to the sun. I was disappointed that it only produced one bloom in early July while I was out of town. I thought that was going to be it for the season. Imagine my surprise when, two weeks later, I noticed at least 50 new flower buds forming! Many dropped off before fully maturing, but eighteen did survive to maturity, ten of which opened in one night. ... read more A third blooming yielded eleven blooms, the last three of which opened last night. And now, I see some more flower buds forming for a fourth blooming. Because of having full sun exposure, the leaves have yellowed considerably. I�m thinking of putting it on my screened porch with a northern exposure next summer to protect the leaves, but I�m afraid to mess with success where the blooming is concerned. My watering and fertilizing was pretty erratic. I probably gave it about half as much water as I gave other potted outdoor plants. I did give it some Miracle Gro two or three times. The plant has grown to over six feet tall and is a bit unwieldy to move in and out of the house. I�m thinking of cutting it back before bringing it in for the winter and starting new plants from the cuttings. On Oct 21, 2005, happygardening from Fox, AR wrote: This is one of my very FAVORITE plants! I have one that's a year old, and going strong! Exceptionally easy to grow, and beautiful, as well as interesting! As long as you control their growth, they won't get unruly. To dispel some questions I read on the forum, the plant DOESN'T need to be three years old to bloom, and to bear fruit it has to be cross-pollinated with another clone of oxypetalum, or another clone of epiphylliums. Cultivation "An easily cultivated, fast growing epiphyte. Needs compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 10�C (50�F) in winter. Can be grown in semi-shade or full sun. Extra light in the early spring will stimulate budding. Flowers in late spring or early summer and large specimens can... read more produce several crops of flowers in a season. This is the most commonly grown of the Epiphyllum species and known under several nick-names such as; Night Blooming Cereus, Dutchman's Pipe and Queen of the Night." Ethymology "Oxypetalum (Lat.) = with acute petals, refers to the acute tepals of this species." History "This species was originally described from cultivated material and its true place of origin has never been known." Origin and Habitat "Mexico to Venezuela & Brazil. Epiphytic or lithophytic. 75-2.000 m alt. Widely cultivated and escaped in many places and its true origin has never been fully understood." Systematics "This species is closely related to E. thomasianum and E. pumilum, but quite distinct." The below caption is from Jim Hunter's Epiuniverse.com site: "Everyone has one. Everyone wants to know what it is. It is most likely, that the plant you have, that you call "Night Blooming Cereus", is actually Epiphyllum oxypetalum. Oxypetalum is easily identified by its unique bloom. While the bud is forming, it grows pointing downward. A few days before it blooms, the bud starts to point upward. When it finally blooms, the tube resembles a "Dutchman's Pipe". This is also one of the names used for this plant. The flower is about 5- 8 inches in diameter, very white, and very fragrant. The bud opens around 10 PM and dies around 8 AM the following morning. The growth is also unique. The stems start out either from an aureole of an existing stem or at the end of a long tubular growth that is very sturdy and can be as long as 4'. The stems are very flat, not thick, and have a slight wavy appearance to them. The aureoles are not symmetrical from one side of the stem to the other. They have a 'step' look to them in that an aureole on one side lies between two aureoles on the opposite site. It's hard to describe, but easy to recognize if you see it." Many people ask me how to make their Epiphyllum oxypetalum bloom more. I always ask them how the plant looks and the most common reply is that it looks great. It is a nice dark green and growing like crazy, they just can't understand why it isn't blooming. Oxypetalum blooms for survival, not pleasure. If the plant is very healthy it doesn't feel threatened and won't bloom. So, to get oxypetalum to bloom, you must give it 0-10-10 fertilizer during the months of May-June-July instead of 10-10-10. I also suggest giving the plant more light. Sure, this is going to make the plant look more yellow and more 'sickly' but it will make it bloom. Find that happy medium place where the plant still looks healthy but still blooms. Also, a drop in winter temperatures will likely make it bloom, say 50-55 degrees F. Despite what it says above, I know someone who has a twelve footer in a five gallon bucket with no drainage holes, and regular garden dirt. It blooms, and it has produces 40+ buds in the past. Oxypetalum is not fussy at all. Here is a fertilizer that is is reputed to make cacti mature 250% faster, can be used on most plants, and will not harm them. Supposedly, it really makes cacti flower very well. Fast-Aging Cactus Fertilizer 1 can of beer 1 cup of Epsom salts 1/2 cup of ammonia 2 cups of water Mix and put into a 1-quart container. Use 1/2 oz. per gallon of water every two weeks, when you water your cactus. 1 cup = 8 ounces; 1/4 cup = 2 ounces = 4 tablespoons 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons; therefore 1/2 oz is 1 Tbsp. I've kept this stuff in the capped bottle for two months (till it was all used), and it did not develop mold, fungus, rot, or any other profoundly negative attributes. I shake it before pouring into my big water jug, and it has smelled the same the entire time, besides maintaining its initial clarity. On Sep 5, 2003, debrat wrote: I acquired my "Night Blooming Cereus" several years ago from a neighbor who has sinced moved. She was a religious lady and called it the "Madonna Plant". I never knew the true name of it until I went online in search of "night blooming plants" and there it was. Before I knew the name, I would always explain the plant as one similar to the one on the movie "Dennis the Menace", and that it's in the succulent family. I am glad to know the true name and history. One of my co-workers experienced a bloom; now everyone is waiting for their blooms. It is a strange but lovely plant when blooming. Everyone who did not take a piece of this beauty the first time now wold like to share in its fragrent beauty here in Louisiana (U.S.)','url':'http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2443/','og_descr':'Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Night blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at Dave...
Welcome to the famous Dave's Garden website. Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
Night Blooming Jasmine, Night Scented Jessamine, Queen of the Night Cestrum nocturnum.
Quotations about marriage, husbands, and wives, from The Quote Garden.
The Teutonia Management and Officers are constantly trying to have exciting events for our members. April had a sold out Wine Tasting Event, a first in some time and.