Image - Flickr / Booman Floral
There are many cacti that can be used as hanging plants, but the Epiphyllum anguliger it is very special. Its stems are very showy, and since they remain green for a long time, the plant always looks beautiful.
For this reason, it is often used to decorate the interior of homes, since it also does not need as much light as other cacti. So that, let's see what its characteristics and care are.
Origin and characteristics of Epiphyllum anguliger
El Epiphyllum anguliger is an epiphytic cactus endemic to Mexico. It is a plant that reaches an approximate height of 20 centimeters, with lobed and highly branched stems up to 30 centimeters long by up to 5 centimeters wide. These are green, with a smooth surface, and present areoles from which 1 or 2 white bristles may sprout - not always.
Its flowers are white and of good size: they measure 20 centimeters long by 7 centimeters wide. They are nocturnal, and aromatic. The fruit is ovoid, about 4 centimeters in diameter, green, brown or yellow. And the seeds are small, and dark in color.
Caring for the Epiphyllum anguliger
Image - Wikimedia / Zapyon
Do you want to know how to take care of this cactus? If you are planning to buy one, or have already done so, then we are going to talk to you about what you need to be healthy:
Climate
It is a tropical plant, typical of mountain forests where it lives in slightly protected areas. Being epiphytic, we will find it growing on the branches of other plants that are larger, such as trees.
Temperatures must be kept between a minimum of 10ºC and a maximum of 25ºC., although it can withstand higher values if it is in a place sheltered from the sun.
Location
- Interior: The Epiphyllum anguliger It is a cactus that needs a lot of light, but it does not have to give it directly. For this reason, it is one of the species of cacti that best adapts to the interior of the home. And for this reason, it is very important that it be placed in a room where a lot of light enters. Of course: it does not have to be next to the window or near where there are doors, since otherwise it would have problems, either because of the sun that passes through the glass, or because of the air currents that are generated when opening / close the doors and pass the cactus.
- Body exterior:: if there are no frosts, or if you want to be out for a few months, you have to put it in an area where there is a lot of light, but protected from direct sun. In this way, its stems will remain green and it will be able to flower without problems.
Soil or substrate
As is an epiphytic cactus, the soil needs to be loose and light so that the water can be absorbed as quickly as possible. In fact, if it is grown in a pot, the ideal would be to use peat with equal parts perlite. In addition, said pot must have holes in its base, since if it did not have them, the water would stagnate and the roots would rot.
If it is to be kept in the garden, it will be equally important that it grows in well-drained and fertile soils, since if it were not, it would end up having problems as a result of excess humidity.
Irrigation
We will water an average of 2 times a week during the summer, letting the substrate dry between waterings. The rest of the year, since it does not grow at the same rate, it will not need to be watered as much, since the soil also takes longer to dry. Therefore, we will water once a week or even less, it all depends on our climate.
You have to use rainwater whenever possible, and pour water on the ground until it is thoroughly soaked. Avoid wetting the cactus stems as they could end up rotting.
Subscriber
We will pay at Epiphyllum anguliger during the warmer months of the year. We recommend using liquid fertilizers, as they have a faster efficiency. But granules or powders will also work.
As soon as you go apply it, read the label to know exactly what dose to take, and if it has to dissolve in water before or not. Too much compost would cause serious burns to the roots, and the stems would suffer.
Multiplication
Image - Wikimedia / Stuart
The fastest way is to multiply it by stem cuttings in spring.. We will simply cut them, and plant them in a pot with cactus soil (on sale here) burying the base a bit. They will root after a couple of weeks at the most.
Another option, but slower, is by seeds, also at that station. Although for a plant to give, there must be another of the same species (or genus, if you want to make hybrids) blooming at the same time, because only then could we pass a brush through a flower of one specimen through another of the other, and so it is they would pollinate. If this is not feasible, do not worry: surely you can get seeds in a nursery in your area, or online.
Once we have them, we will sow them in pots with holes in their base filled with peat with perlite in equal parts. We will not cover them much: it will be enough that they have a little earth on top. Nor should they be very close to each other. We will put the seedbed in semi-shade, and keep it moist but not waterlogged. If all goes well, they will germinate in a month.
Plagues and diseases
It is a cactus resistant to pests and diseases. Their main enemy are snails and slugs, which devour the stems of the plant like we do sweets. They leave nothing. Therefore, molluscicides must be used as this (Be careful if there are domestic animals, as it is toxic for them), or protecting them with mosquito netting or inside the house.
However if overwatered, fungi will damage it. It would become soft, it might even rot; hence it is necessary to let the soil dry out. And if it becomes soft, or if gray or whitish mold appears, cut the affected parts and treat with fungicide.
Rusticity
The lowest temperature it supports is 10ºC.
Where to buy?
You can get your copy by clicking here:
I read about Epiphyllum angulier, in Swedish. The Swedish translation was pretty bad. For people who are not used to reading other languages (and about plants), it will be difficult to understand much of the text.
With kind regards, MA