Pollination time and method of Epiphyllum

Pollination method of Epiphyllum

Epiphyllum blooms at night and is pollinated by nocturnal insects or evening breezes. In unsuitable environments, it is pollinated artificially.

Is it self-pollinating? Epiphyllum is not self-pollinating. Not only is the opening period of each flower of Epiphyllum short, but it also seems to be infertile due to self-pollination. Its flowers bloom for nocturnal insects, so it is insects that do the pollination.

Best time for pollination

The best time for pollination of Epiphyllum is between eight and nine o'clock in the evening. Epiphyllum is native to desert areas above 1,000 meters above sea level, in the desert area between Mexico and Brazil in South America today, where the daytime temperature is high and the climate is very dry. In order to adapt to the local climate, Epiphyllum chooses to bloom at night.

Insects are active between 8 and 9 p.m. locally, and the strong fragrance released by the Epiphyllum is able to attract a large number of insects to complete pollination in a very short period of time. In addition, there is a lack of water in the desert, and the long-term opening of the flowers will evaporate a large amount of water vapor, so the flowering period of the Epiphyllum is greatly shortened.

Epiphyllum pollination method

Prepare a soft brush or cotton swab to pick up the yellow pollen from the stamens inside the flower tube, and apply the pollen to another Epiphyllum, which is similar to the linear forked stigma of the pistil of a white chrysanthemum. Cross-pollination between two or more flowers will have a better effect.