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Posted on 6:20 PM by Wanto and filed under
By Veronica Mississippi
Although the epiphyllums are cacti they are different in appearance, having long, narrow stems almost with the appearance of leaves, (in fact these are sometimes called ' leaf-flowering ') and their method of treatment is entirely different, for as we have seen earlier they grow on trees in a decomposed leaf mold compost and they consequently require more water and less intense light than their terrestrial cousins. On the other hand their stems are fleshy and capable of absorbing and holding considerable quantities of moisture, so they can live for long periods without watering and although they prefer some shade they will not suffer unduly if subjected to intense sunlight.
It is perfectly true that some Christmas cacti flower happily year after year without a summer in the garden and without being any cooler than the normal warmth of the living-rooms. It will be found, however, that under these circumstances room temperatures almost invariably drop during the night to approximately the same level as those out of doors, and this is probably the explanation of the successful flowering of plants which never leave the room.
Bud development is largely influenced by photosynthetic processes and is therefore dependent on the length of daylight. Plants are divided according to their response to long or short days. Some can adjust themselves to artificial ' day' length, but others cannot, The Christmas cactus needs a short day to flower well and artificial light in living-rooms can inhibit flower development and opening.
Cacti require very little food. A good balanced fertilizer once a month during the summer is quite sufficient for their needs and too much is definitely harmful.
If the plant must be removed to water it, make sure that it is replaced in exactly the same position and the only way to do this is to mark both the pot and the shelf, window sill or other location.
Propagation of nearly all cacti, whether terrestrial or epiphytic, is usually a comparatively simple matter from cuttings. Seeds of terrestrial cacti are simple to germinate and can sometimes produce interesting plants.
It is perfectly true that some Christmas cacti flower happily year after year without a summer in the garden and without being any cooler than the normal warmth of the living-rooms. It will be found, however, that under these circumstances room temperatures almost invariably drop during the night to approximately the same level as those out of doors, and this is probably the explanation of the successful flowering of plants which never leave the room.
Bud development is largely influenced by photosynthetic processes and is therefore dependent on the length of daylight. Plants are divided according to their response to long or short days. Some can adjust themselves to artificial ' day' length, but others cannot, The Christmas cactus needs a short day to flower well and artificial light in living-rooms can inhibit flower development and opening.
Cacti require very little food. A good balanced fertilizer once a month during the summer is quite sufficient for their needs and too much is definitely harmful.
If the plant must be removed to water it, make sure that it is replaced in exactly the same position and the only way to do this is to mark both the pot and the shelf, window sill or other location.
Propagation of nearly all cacti, whether terrestrial or epiphytic, is usually a comparatively simple matter from cuttings. Seeds of terrestrial cacti are simple to germinate and can sometimes produce interesting plants.
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Houseplants should be kept moist all the time in your indoor garden. Houseplants should also be kept in a cool and airy place.
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