Epicactus-Is it also called Waterlily Cactus?

marymarie2007

15 years ago

Here's my story. I lived in Florida from 1996-2006. While I was there I purchased what I was told was a "Waterlily" cactus. It was in a hanging pot and rather small. I hung it in an Oak tree and basically forgot about it. Finally after a couple of years it began blooming in stunning and fragrant white blooms that alas did not last long. I don't remember what time of the year it bloomed but I believe it was summer or fall. When I moved I gave it to a friend who now has it in three pots and is blooming. He asked me what it was called.

My question? Is the name, both common and latin, correct? I came up with Epicactus on Google. Is it also called the orchid cactus? Can it be grown in zone 5? Indoors?

I really appreciate any information anyone can provide.

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

gardenbear1
15 years ago
Hi, its called a epiphyllum( ("upon the leaf" in Greek)or orchid cactus both names are used I can't really give you a hybrid name with out a pic of the plant and flower, then it would be only a good guess. is it a day bloomer or night bloomer ? lots of the epies blooms last for a few days and some last a bit longer. this plant can be grown indoors in zone 5 with ease and put ont in late spring when it starts to warm up. I keep all my epies in the house all winter and they do very well I'v even had some bloom for me I did a search on the epieform and didn't find anything the only thing I found was this From 1960. A white, open funneled flower.Flower size is medium-large, but I'm going to keep looking for a pic, so at least you have the right name for it. I'm always on the look out for a new epie or two

Bear
ks_girl
15 years ago
Mary, I live in zone 6 and have several epi's. I grow them inside in the cold months and put outside once the temps are about freezing and bring back in when it gets down to around 45 degrees.

Here is a picture of my red epiphyllum ackermanii that was setting buds in february long before it went outside and it went on to have 115 blooms this past spring and is now blooming again, not so many blooms this time but the flowers are larger.
Good luck with your plant!
Jo

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Epiphyllum is the scientific name of a genus of epiphytic cacti, mainly with white, nocturnal flowers. "Epiphyllums" (as an English word) can mean either pure Epiphyllum or the various hybrids between Epiphyllum and other genera (Heliocereus, Hylocereus, Selenicereus etc.). These hybrids are also called "orchid cacti", "Phyllocactus", "Epicactus" etc. and have colorful flowers that often are open during the day too. Holiday cacti are Schlumbergera and Hatiora (Rhipsalidopsis) hybrids that flower at some of the main holidays (i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter cacti). Jungle plants must be any plant from a jungle, but jungle cacti are cacti from rainforests, including all the previously mentioned.
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marymarie2007
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the info. I actually found a photo. The leaves are similar to the red one pictured. The flowers are large and have more petals with what look like guard petals. It is in the daytime and although I can't be sure from the photo and don't remember, my guess is that it was late summer or fall based on the background. There are seven or eight full blooms. Sorry, but I do not know how to post the photo to this site.

Now that I know what I have, I'm a going to look for other plants in the family.

MM
Mentha
15 years ago
There is an epi hybrid by the name of "Water Lily." There is also one with pink flowers which is usually Disocactus phyllanthoides called a "Pond Lily" cactus aka Deutsche Kaiserin aka German Empress.

Epicactus-Is it also called Waterlily Cactus?

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gardenbear1

ks_girl

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Epicactus-Is it also called Waterlily Cactus?

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