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Plant Care
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Katie Hanna Lutz
Plant Care Guide

London sunshine orchid cactus (Epiphyllum 'London Sunshine' )

EpiJungle Cactus

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  • General Information
  • Buy
  • Plant
  • Sow Seeds
  • Fertilize
  • Water
  • Prune
  • Mulch
  • Protect
  • Pest/Disease Inspection
  • Treat for Pest/Disease
  • Transplant
  • Propagate
  • Harvest
  • Special requirements

General Information

Plant Care by Garden Jewels Nursery. Epis are very easy to grow. They thrive on neglect, but reward you with a little effort. They bloom once a year and the flowers last from 1-5 days. More filtered sunshine light is better than less to grow flowers April through June. Less water is better than more to avoid root rot. Never let roots become bone dry. Less fertilizer is better than more. Begin fertilizing the first of February using 0-10-10 or 2-10-10 every 2 to 4 weeks until the flowers are gone. July and September feed with 10-10-10. Protect from snails and slugs. Watch for scale and mealy bug. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call our Nursery at 619.987-6251 or ask about availability or email us at Katie@garden-jewels.com

Sunset Zones

USDA Zones

Web Link

http://www.gardenjewelsnursery.com

Buy

When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!

January
You need to keep an eye on your plants as this could be a rainy time of the year. Epis don't like to be wet. This is a quiet time in the garden. Plants are resting preparing for the blooming season. We usually don't buy cuttings this time of year, but plants can always be purchased. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call our Nursery at 619.987-6251 or ask about availability or email us at Katie@garden-jewels.com

Plant

When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?

January
Winter months' are the least appropriate for planting cuttings and re-potting. Unless you are in the mildest of areas where growing conditions continue during this season, hold off planting new cuttings. Usually cuttings can be successfully stored in a cool, dark, damp place till warmer weather arrives. The same recommendation applies to re-potting. If a plant shows signs of stress it is likely due to cold weather and will rectify its appearance the following spring. If however you feel the plant is suffering from a waterlogged root system due to poor pot drainage or excessive rainfall, remove the plant from the pot and inspect the root system. When a root mass has rotted away from water or frost the best remedy is to remove the roots completely. As long a the plant remains in a humid environment it will survive out of the pot until planting season returns. Store the plant as you would un-rooted cuttings. Call our Nursery at 619.987-6251 with questions or to ask about availability or email us at Katie@garden-jewels.com

Sow Seeds

When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?

Fertilize

When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?

January
Refrain from fertilizing your mature Epis this month. Now, if you have young plants that most likely will not bloom in the spring you can continue to feed them with a balanced fertilizer e.g. 10-10-10 or 14-14-14 to encourage growth. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions. You can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Water

Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?

January
Epis use little water. Place a small flat rock on your mix and check it weekly. Turn it over and see if it is moist or not. If it is wet do not water. If it is not wet continue to test for watering by sticking a finger an inch or two into the mix. If it feels damp don't water. If it feels dry water until you see it drain out the bottom of the container. Mist between waterings when the weather is hot and dry. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Prune

When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?

January
It is important that you continue to groom your plants. If you were diligent when your plants stopped blooming at the end of the growing season, then you can take a well deserved rest. Remember, your Epi will let you know which branches need to be removed. Remove all dead plant material by breaking off branches or using sterilized shears. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Mulch

Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?

Protect

When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved?

January
Be alert to the weather. You must protect your Epis from frost and hail. You can protect your plants by insulating your growing area with the heaviest mill clear plastic you can find. Remember – cold weather is a good thing. It enables your plants to lapse into dormancy which is necessary to produce blooms in the spring. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Pest/Disease Inspection

What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?

January
If you are insulating your plantings or “winterizing” them, you are also creating an environment for vermin and their friends. These pests will eat or devour tender growth. You may have to use poison bait and or rodent traps. Good Luck. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Treat for Pest/Disease

How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?

January
If you are insulating your plantings or “winterizing” them, you are also creating an environment for vermin and their friends. These pests will eat or devour tender growth. You may have to use poison bait and or rodent traps. Good Luck. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Transplant

When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?

January
Winter months are the least appropriate for planting cuttings and re-potting. You should be able to store any unspotted cuttings in a cool, dark, damp place until warmer weather arrives. If you feel that your plant is suffering from too much water and that the roots might be rotting, then you need to remove the plant from the pot. You then need to completely remove the roots. As long as you keep your Epi in a humid environment it will survive out of the pot until planting season. You should store this plant just like you would unrooted cuttings. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com

Propagate

When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?

Harvest

When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?

Special requirements

Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories?

January
Provide as much light for your epies as possible during the winter months. However, epies do not want direct sunlight. Remember – if you need to cover your plants during a rain – if possible remove this layer as soon as practical to allow more light for your epies. Call Garden Jewels Nursery at 619-987-6251 if you have any questions or you can email us at katie@garden-jewels.com