Epiphyllum hybrids, epiphyllums, epicacti, or just epis, also known as orchid cacti, which are widely grown for their flowers, are artificial hybrids of species within the group of cacti placed in the tribe

Hylocereeae The Hylocereeae are a tribe of cacti. Most are found in the tropical forests of Central and northern South America, and are climbers or epiphytes, unlike most cacti. The tribe includes between six and eight genera in different circumscriptions ...

. In spite of the common name, epiphyllum hybrids mainly involve ''

Disocactus ''Disocactus'' is a genus of epiphytic cacti in the tribe Hylocereeae found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. It should not be confused with ''Discocactus'', which is a different genus. Species of ''Disocactus'' g ...

'' species instead of ''

Epiphyllum ''Epiphyllum'' (; "upon the leaf" in Greek) is a genus of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America and South America. Common names for these species include climbing cacti, orchid cacti and leaf cacti, though ...

'' species, though ''

Selenicereus grandiflorus ''Selenicereus grandiflorus'' is a cactus species originating from the Antilles, Mexico and Central America. The species is commonly referred to as queen of the night, night-blooming cereus (though these two terms are also used for other spec ...

'' and some unconfirmed ''

'' species were reportedly used for hybridization. Other sources include '' Pseudorhipsalis'' in the parentage of the group., p. 286

Nothospecies

Named nothospecies include: * ''Disocactus'' × ''amaranthinus'' (Regel) M.H.J.van der Meer: ''D. crenatus'' × ''D. phyllanthoides'' * ''Disocactus'' × ''charltonii'' (Mast.) M.H.J.van der Meer: ''D. crenatus'' × ''D. speciosus'' * ''Disocactus'' × ''coopermannii'' (Worsley) M.H.J.van der Meer: ''D. crenatus'' × ''D. phyllanthoides × D. speciosus'' * ''Disocactus'' × ''jenkinsonii'' (McIntosh) M.H.J.van der Meer (syn.: ''Disocactus'' × ''hybridus'' (Van Geel) Barthlott): ''D. phyllanthoides'' × ''D. speciosus'' * ''Disocactus'' × ''kimnachii'' G.D.Rowley (syn.: ''Nopalxochia'' × ''horichii'' Kimnach): probably ''D. crenatus'' × ''D. phyllanthoides'', therefore possibly synonymous with ''D.'' × ''amaranthinus'' Epiphyllum crenatum 'Cooperi' (3773320410).jpg, ''D. crenatus'' Nopalxochia-01.JPG, ''D. phyllanthoides'' Disocactus speciosus1MTFL.jpg, ''D. speciosus'' × Disophyllum charltonii 'Gordonianus'.jpg, ''D.'' × ''charltonii'' Disocactus × hybridus (Cactus speciosissimus lateritius) Edwards’s Bot. Reg. 19. 1596. 1833.jpg, ''D.'' × ''jenkinsonii'' As horticultural literature often confuses '' D. ackermannii'' with ''D.'' × ''jenkinsonii'', the following two names of nothospecies are dubious: *''Disocactus'' × ''hansii'' (Baumann) M.H.J.van der Meer (syn.: ''Disocactus'' × ''violaceus'' (F.Sm. & T.Sm.bis ex Mast.) Barthlott): ''D. ackermannii × D. speciosus'' *''Disocactus'' × ''splendens'' (Regel) M.H.J.van der Meer: ''D. crenatus'' × ''D. ackermannii'' Disocactus ackermannii1.jpg, ''D. ackermannii'' × Disocactus 'Splendens'.jpg, ''D.'' × ''splendens''

History

The parent species from which epiphyllum hybrids were bred are different in appearance and habit from most cacti. They are found in the tropical forests of

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

where they grow as climbers or on trees as epiphytes. They have leafless (or apparently leafless) flattened stems which act as the plant's photosynthetic organs. Relatively large flowers are borne on the sides of the stems; in many species they open at night. Thousands of cultivated hybrids have been created, often with the intention of increasing the size and colour range of their flowers, which average across, although the largest can reach . The Epiphyllum Society of America (the International Registration Authority for hybrids of the Tribe Hylocereeae) maintains a list of epiphyllum hybrids (and Hylocereeae species) which contained over 7,000 names in 1996.

Cultivation

Epiphyllum hybrids need different treatment from semi-desert cacti. They should be protected from direct sunlight, with preferably 75% shading at midday. They are not frost hardy, so need to be protected from freezing conditions. It is recommended that the growing medium allows rapid drainage of water and is open, with at least one third of coarse material to prevent compaction. Plants should be kept moist. High nitrogen fertilizers are not recommended; no fertilizer should be given during the winter rest period. Propagating epiphyllum hybrids from cuttings is said to be easy. Rooting hormone can be applied to the base of the cutting before it is allowed to dry for ten days or more so that the cut forms a

callus A callus is an area of thickened and sometimes hardened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Since repeated contact is required, calluses are most often found on the feet and hands, but they may o ...

. The cutting is then planted sufficiently deeply so that it can stand upright. Water is not given for two weeks, after which the growing medium is kept at least slightly moist. Plants can be misted. They are fast growing plants and should flower within two years. Epiphyllum hybrids should be re-potted every 2 to 3 years as they tend to sour and deplete the nutrients in their growing medium. Because the plants are aggressive and grow quickly, they are susceptible to depleting the potassium in their growing medium which results in older growth failing to remain turgid and shriveling. They should be provided a balanced fertilizer when in active growth to prevent the older growth from shriveling. Flowering is triggered by withholding water and giving the plants a dry resting period of about two months during their winter rest.

References

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External links

Epiphyllum Society of America
- the International Registration Authority for epiphytic cactus hybrids of the Tribe Hylocereeae Epiphyllum Hybrid plants