How to propagate Epiphyllum

Seed propagation

After blooming, Epiphyllum will produce many seeds, which can be sown and propagated.

Soak the Epiphyllum seeds in water and plant them when the shells become soft. The soil should be kept moist and the seeds will generally germinate about 2-3 weeks after sowing.

Seed propagation is often used for hybrid breeding. However, since the growth of Epiphyllum propagated by seed is slow, it takes 4-5 years from sowing to flowering, which is a long time. Therefore, Epiphyllum is mostly propagated by cuttings.

Cutting propagation

Cutting propagation is best done from March to May, but can be done all year round if greenhouse conditions permit.

When cuttings, you should choose strong, thick leaf-like stems as cuttings. Generally, it is better to use old leaves that are more than 2 years old. The leaves should not be too small or too tender. Too tender branches are prone to rot or shrink after cutting. The old leaves will no longer grow new leaves, so new growth points will be formed and the root system will develop and grow.

After selecting the leaves, choose those about 20cm-30cm long, cut the leaf-like stems into sections of 2-3 nodes, and flatten the base. This will make the wound larger and increase the cutting surface.

Place the cut leaf-like stems that you want to use for cuttings in a cool and ventilated place for half a day to a day. After the cut ends are slightly dry, insert them into a clean sand bed. When cutting, you can "insert shallowly" or "insert obliquely", and try not to insert them too deep.

The soil for cuttings should be well-drained and loose to facilitate rooting, and should be disinfected in advance. The soil must be kept moist and watered. Then place it in a cool place indoors and don't move it much.

The cuttings of Epiphyllum will take root in about 3 weeks if the room temperature is maintained at 18°C-24°C, and can be potted when the roots are 3 cm-4 cm long.

Generally speaking, if the main stem of Epiphyllum is used for cuttings, flowers can be seen in the same year, but if the side stems are used, it will take 2-3 years to bloom.