Epiphyllum Propagation

Preparing the Cutting

• Use a sharp knife to cut a 6- to 12- inch stem from a mature Epiphyllum cactus. The stem should be from fairly new growth, as older parts of the plant won't root as readily. Place the cutting on a paper plate in a cool, dry place, and allow the cutting to dry for a minimum of two weeks or until the cut end forms a firm callus. Don't worry if the cutting begins to look wrinkled. Cuttings planted before the callus forms are susceptible to rot.

Planting the Cutting

• Fill a container with a coarse, well-drained potting mixture that has been slightly moistened. Use a commercial potting mixture for cactus or a mixture of half sand and half regular potting soil. Dip the callused end of the cutting in powdered rooting hormone. Dust off excess powder, as too much hormone will inhibit rooting. Plant the cutting about 1/2 inch deep in the soil. Install a small stake in the soil next to the cutting and tie the cutting loosely to the stake. The cutting will root best if it's kept upright.

Caring for the Cutting

• Place the epiphyllum cutting in a warm room where the cutting is exposed to bright, indirect sunlight. Withhold water from the cutting for about two weeks. Thereafter, water sparingly and keep the potting soil just slightly moist. Roots will develop in three to six weeks.

General Care

• Once your epiphyllum cactus takes root, water the plant deeply when the soil feels fairly dry. Allow the water to drain freely through the bottom of the pot and never allow the pot to sit in water. Don't allow the soil to become bone dry, as a rain forest cactus requires more water than desert cactus. Epiphyllum cactus benefits from a monthly feeding between spring and autumn, beginning when the new plant is about a year old. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer for indoor plants. Refer to the label for specific mixing requirements, then dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth of the recommended strength.