Things Needed
The orchid cactus ( epiphyllum cross ) is a inflorescence plant that ’s native to Central America . Orchid cactus has fleshy , succulent - like stems , and it is most normally grown indoors as a houseplant due to its sensitivity to cold . The orchid cactus blossom in large , showy , bright - colored prime , typically from April through July . Orchid cactus flora can take up to four years or more before they begin to flower . The fleshy leaves and halt are attractive , however , and create an interesting plant life even without the flush .
Step 1
lay your orchid cactus in filter sunshine , where the plant find brilliant lighting in the sunup and has some refinement in the good afternoon .
Step 2
irrigate your orchid cactus from March until mid - October to keep the potting soil evenly dampen . When the topmost layer of ground begins to feel dry to the jot , pour pee until the body of water drains from the drainage holes in the bottom of the slew . Discard the excess water from the drainage dish antenna .
Step 3
Reduce the watering frequency gradually beginning in mid - October . Water your orchid cactus during wintertime to keep the soil barely moistened , but do n’t countenance the stain to dry out .
Step 4
Fertilize your orchid cactus once every two week from former spring until early fall . Apply a fluid houseplant fertilizer with a nitrogen - phosphorous - atomic number 19 ( NPK ) proportion of 5 - 1 - 4 , according to the dosage instructions on the recording label .
Step 5
Induce efflorescence of your orchid cactus by keeping the plant in full dark at night during the winter , with no photo to artificial visible light . Keep the nighttime temperature cooler around the orchid cactus , about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but no warmer than 57 degrees .
Step 6
snip away honest-to-god nonflowering shank and any damage stems . Cut these stem back to the substructure of the orchid cactus to prevent the cut halt from get new , unsightly shoot .
Step 7
Repot your orchid cactus after it has produced three to four new branches or when the plant is top - gruelling and start out to tip over when you move it . This is usually every three or four geezerhood . Repot the orchid cactus in a container that ’s the next size up , and do n’t water the works for about one hebdomad after repot it . Repot the orchid cactus after it has finish blossom .
Tip
Pot your orchid cactus in a container that has drain holes in the bottom . Plant the orchid cactus in a well - drain commercial potting mixture , preferably one that is coarse in texture . you may mix into the commercial-grade potting mix some land barque , gumption or perlite to improve drainage .
Warning
Do n’t allow for the atmosphere to become too dry around your orchid cactus , because it needs comparative humidity of 50 to 80 percent . When conditions are dry , you may increase humidity around the orchid cactus by run a humidifier beside it or by mist over it with warm water .
References
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