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Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Night blooming Cereus Epiphyllum oxypetalum
My Mother was given a start of this plant when I was 8 yrs. old.Mother gave me the plant in 1977 and I have divided it several times. Somewhere in these pots is a 50+ yr. old root. I have learned how to care for mine by trial and error. I did learn two very important thing. 1. they bloom better if they are root bound. 2. If you pinch the tips off of the long shoots it will force them to make more leaves, instead of growing long and producing 1 or 2 leafs on the end. If you look closely at the picture you will see that there are 2 pots here. Each pot has a tomato stake in it that the stems are tied up to and that is what gives mine the cascade leaf look. Feel free to write if you have any questions on the care of this plant. cbalihi@yahoo.com
This is incredible! The foliage looks wonderful, and I can't even see the pot. Spectacular flowering; congratulations on a great job of growing this plant.
Wow this is a great picture!!! I just got a few pieces the other day from my father-in-law, which he got the big grandma plant from a friend...it bloomed once the other night but the bloom died the next day.
What a sight it was to behold...I cant wait until mine gets this huge.
They also put it up in the church for viewing one Sunday, everyone was in love :-)
Thanks for sharing this photo :-)
Just wanted to add...the fragrance of this flower is one like none other...you have to experience it to believe the beauty it beholds and the fragrance...Wow wow wow
Connie, your photo is gorgeous! I'm growing a night blooming cereus in a greenhouse in MN. It is a wonderful plant but it keeps trying to take over the whole greenhouse (the greenhouse isn't very big). Can you tell me more about how you encouraged this wonderful compact growth? What did you pinch back, how often, what did you use to tie it up? Thanks
To All,
Sorry I don't come to this site very often. I try to answer all that have written asking questions about this plant. If I missed your question feel free to send me a personal e-mail and I will be happy to answer any and all questions.
Connie
Southern Ohio
Wow What a beautiful plant,,, How do you get them to bloom,,,Ihave one a friend gave me a year ago and I have not had my bloom at all...It is growing big and I have alot of cuttings from it ,,,but no blooms,,,any help would be greatly aperciated
CARE OF THE NIGHT BLOOMING CEREUS AKA "CHRIST IN THE MANGER"
Some things you need to know:
1. They don't do as well in full sun as in the shade. {Depending on where you live and the type of heat that you have in the summer}. I keep mine on my front porch which faces north. {I live in Southern Ohio on the river, summers here can get hot and humid}.
2. They like to be somewhat root bound [being root bound is the secret to getting it to bloom well] and will bloom better if they are. DON'T re-pot any more that every 3 yrs. and just go up 1 pot size. I use regular potting soil & peat moss, and add a hand full of bone meal. Mine are so big now that I just exchange the soil and don't go to a bigger pot. In a few years I will probably have to divide the plants again. I have done that once already.
Here is a copy of instructions that a friend of my Sister sent me, on the care of the Cereus a few years ago. Notice that this one is for the cactus type cereus. I have inserted my ideas into this letter in ALL CAPS, so you can see what my thinking and feelings are on what they say.
If you have any questions at all, no matter how silly you think they may sound, please write and ask. I love to help people grow and enjoy the "Christ In The Manger". This is the name that my Mother called the Cereus when I was growing up and it is what I call it also. I think the Queen of the Night is the name of the one that has a cactus looking tri-side stem, instead of the flat leaf.
Keep me informed of your progress & Good luck, Connie
QUEEN OF THE NIGHT
Selenicereus Grandiflorus
Size and growth rate
Queen of the Night is a slender cactus with yard-long, looping stems which need support. It can get quite big. THEY WILL NOT GET THIS LONG IF YOU PINCH THE TIP OFF A STRAIGHT STEM WHEN IT GETS ABOUT A FOOT OR SO HIGH. THIS
FORCES IT TO PUT OUT LEAFS INSEAD OF GROWING LONG STEMS WITH 1 LEAF ON IT. NOTICE I SAID "STEM" NOT "LEAF".
THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP TO KEEPING IT LOOKING BEAUTIFUL YEAR ROUND. IT WILL PUT OUT LONG SHOOTS OR STEMS & ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PINCH ABOUT 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH OFF THE TIP END WHEN IT GETS TO YOUR DESIRED HEIGHT AND THAT WILL FORCE IT TO PUT OUT LEAFS. The tip is very soft and easy to pinch off.
Flowering and Fragrance
The flowers are trumpet shaped and grow to a length of about 10 inches, with a diameter of 8 to 12 inches. The white petals are surrounded by yellow - brown bract I WOULD CALL MY BRACTS PINK AND NOT YELLOW-BROWN. The plant
characteristically blooms very briefly in June/July. MINE BLOOM FROM JUNE TO SEPT OR OCT. DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER. Flowers last only one night and die early morning.
The flowers have a strong but pleasant fragrance."HEAVENLY" In its natural environment, the flower attracts night insects to pollinate it.
Light and Temperature
In the winter, the plant should have as much sun as possible. As soon as the spring sun comes, however, it should be given curtain-filtered sunlight. During the winter months the temperature should be about 55 deg. to 65 deg.F , but in the summer, it can tolerate higher temperatures. SEE NOTE BELOW
Watering and Feeding
The soil should be kept moist from November to April. I DON'T KEEP MINE MOIST THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS. I water them when they feel dry on top. Throughout the summer, water frequently and feed the plant with a weak plant food solution. Mist the plant frequently. 10-10-10 IS GOOD FOOD & DON'T MIST IF IT IS IN THE SUN! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE 10-10-10 SO I STARTED USING THE 20-20-20, AND JUST ADDING HALF AS MUCH AS WHAT IT CALLS FOR PER GALLON
Soil and Transplanting
Queen of the Night likes a rich peaty soil, and the pot should be well drained. The plant can be re-potted about once every three years when flowering is over. I HAVE ALWAYS DONE MY RE-POTTING IN THE SPRING, MAINLY BECAUSE IN THE FALL WHEN I BRING THEM IN THE HOUSE THEY USUALLY HAVE A FEW BUDS STILL ON THEM. JUST GO UP 1 POT SIZE AS YOU WANT IT TO STAY ROOT BOUND.
Grooming
Queen of the Night is not usually trimmed, but if it becomes too large for its environment, it will not be harmed if is is carefully groomed back.
THIS I DO NOT AGREE WITH, IF YOU DON'T TRIM IT WILL GROW LONG AND STRAGGLY AND WON'T PRODUCE THE RIGHT SIZE LEAF TO BLOOM! ALSO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW IS THAT IT IS THE "OLD LEAVES" THAT PRODUCE THE BUDS, SO NEVER REMOVE THEM.
Propagating
Queen of the Night is increased by cuttings. Carefully trim off the young fresh side shoots which should be 34 to 6 inches long. It is very important that the shoots are not too old. Once a cutting has been take, allow the surface of the wound to dry. Then set it in pure peat, sticking it in to a depth of about an inch. Long, thin cuttings should be supported. Keep the soil moist.
{ I DISAGREE WITH MOST OF THIS, YOU CAN TAKE A LEAF OR A BARE STEM AND PUT IT DIRECTLY INTO THE SOIL OR WATER, AND IT WILL ROOT } THIS COULD BE BECAUSE THEY ARE REFERRING TO THE CACTUS TYPE CEREUS & NOT THE FLAT LEAF ONE.
Environment
Queen of the Night is a tropical apiphyte which thrives best in high humidity and high temperature. At home it will do best with other plants in the greenhouse, or on the sun porch.
Buying tips
Queen of the Night is one of the rarer cacti. The plant should be completely undamaged and free of brown patches on the shoots.
IF YOU GET BROWN SPOTS ON A LEAF IT IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY ONE OF TWO THINGS. 1. SUN BURN {IN SUMMER} 2. COLD DRAFT {IN WINTER} EITHER WAY JUST IGNORE IT OR YOU CAN CUT AWAY THE BROWN SPOT BUT DON'T REMOVE THE WHOLE LEAF. IT MAY BE ONE THAT WILL PRODUCE BLOOMS.
Life-span
Queen of the Night can grow to a ripe old age. The first flowering comes after a few years. MY PLANTS HAVE A 50+ ROOTS IN THERE SOMEWHERE. ALWAYS REMEMBER IT IS THE OLD LEAFS THAT BLOOM AND NOT THE NEW ONES. I WOULD GUESS THAT IT MAY TAKE A NEW LEAF ABOUT 4 - 7 YEARS TO BLOOM FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS IS MERELY A GUESS.
Season
Can be bought throughout the year. {I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU CAN BUY THEM. I HAD A FLORIST ASK ME FOR ONE OF MINE BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T FIND ONE}
Difficulty quotient
Queen of the Night should be grown on a sun porch, in a heated greenhouse, or in a living room with a south facing window.
MINE ARE IN A GLASSED IN SUN ROOM FACING EAST AND HAVE DONE VERY WELL THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS, FOR SUMMER THEY ARE ON THE FRONT PORCH IN ALMOST FULL SHADE FACING NORTH.
QUEEN OF THE NIGHT through the year December - March : Keep the temperature between about 55 - 65 deg. F.
MINE ARE AT THE SAME TEMP. AS THE REST OF
THE HOUSE, FOR OUR COMFORT. ABOUT 70 DEG. DAY AND 65 NIGHT. IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUT OF DRAFT IF POSSIBLE.
Water carefully, making sure that the soil around the roots is kept moist. The plant should have direct sunlight during the winter months. I DON'T WATER MINE THAT MUCH THROUGH THE WINTER, I NEVER KEEP THE SOIL MOIST, LET IT GET ALMOST DRY BEFORE WATERING AGAIN.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER : When the spring sunshine brings some warmth, give the plant curtain filtered sunlight. WHEN THE THREAT OF FROST IS GONE, AND THE NIGHTS WARM UP TO 50 DEG. I PUT THEM OUTSIDE ON MY FRONT PORCH WHICH FACES NORTH. {USUALLY LATE APRIL OR EARLY MAY, HERE IN OHIO.
From April onward, gradually increase watering. The plant needs a lot of water, and during the summer months it should also be misted frequently.
DON'T MIST IN THE SUNSHINE OR YOU WILL BURN THE LEAFS. ALSO NOW IS WHEN YOU WANT TO START FERTILIZING IT. I USE A 10-10-10 PETER'S FERTILIZER. IN APRIL ABOUT ONCE A MONTH
From May to the end of August, the plant should be fed twice a month. I AGREE
JUNE - JULY : If need be, the plant can be re-potted after flowering. It is usually enough to repot once every three years using a rich soil (preferably a mixture of 1/3 ordinary soil and 2/3 peat).WHEN I RE-POT I ADD A HANDFUL OF BONE MEAL TO THE SOIL AND MIX IT IN. I USE ABOUT 1/2 AND 1/2 PEAT & POTTING SOIL. Good drainage is a must. I HAVE THE BOTTOM OF THE POT FULL OF RIVER GRAVEL, THIS IS GOOD FOR WATER DRAINAGE AND ALSO TO WEIGH THE BOTTOM DOWN, TO KEEP THE PLANT FROM GETTING TOP HEAVY. I use a tomato stake in each of my pots to stake them up, and tie them to the stake with old sheets torn into strips.
OCTOBER - DECEMBER:Queen of the Night should be placed in a spot with as much sun as possible, keeping the temp. between 55 - 65 deg. F.
I HAVE MINE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THEY GET MORNING DIRECT SUN AND THE REST JUST LIGHT. IT SEEMS TO WORK FOR ME.
I WILL FERTILIZE MINE WHEN I BRING THEM BACK INTO THE HOUSE IN THE FALL, THEN AGAIN AROUND FEB. AND THEN AGAIN IN APRIL, BEFORE I PUT THEM BACK
OUTSIDE.
BRING THEM BACK INSIDE IN THE FALL. SINCE MINE ARE WELL PROTECTED FROM THE NIGHT FROST I WILL LEAVE MINE OUT UNTIL AFTER AT LEAST THE FIRST LIGHT FROST. THEY SAY THAT THE COOL NIGHTS OF FALL IS WHAT SETS THE BUDS ON FOR THE NEXT SUMMER. JUST DON'T LET THE FROST HIT THE LEAFS.
Here is something that I found on one of the forums, and want to share it with all of you here. It is a home recipe of fertilizer that is good for the Night Blooming Cereus. I have used it on my plants several times this year and they are blooming like crazy so I can say that it does work. Doesn't smell good, but it works.
Go to the epiforums site, fertilization forum to read more about it. (this is what Becky Sewell wrote on epiforums.com)(taken from the epiforums.com site):
Fast-Aging Cactus Fertilizer
1 can of beer
1 cup of Epsom salts
1/2 cup of ammonia
2 cups of water
Mix and put into a 1-quart container. Use 1/2 oz. per gallon of
water every two weeks, when you water your cactus.
1 cup = 8 ounces; 1/4 cup = 2 ounces = 4 tablespoons
1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons; therefore 1/2 oz is 1 Tbsp.
I've kept this stuff in the capped bottle for two months (till it was all used), and it did not develop mold, fungus, rot, or any other profoundly negative attributes. I shake it before pouring into my big water jug, and it has smelled the same the entire time, besides maintaining its initial clarity.
The above formula was acquired from
[HYPERLINK@www.sunshine4-u.com] site.
In reference to a post by Connie 243, Its interesting that epiphyllums are known by several names including Christ in the Manger. She states her mom called it that and Connie enjoys calling it Christ in the Manger as well. I wonder if there is anyone out there in the "Land of Dave's Garden" who knows HOW it came to be called Christ in the Manger? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Here is a picture of our epiphyllum that bloomed two days ago. My husband took the picture of our "Epi" while my hand in the background shows the scope of its size.
Wow, that is truly stunning. I also have the same plant, given to me by my mom, only she calls it October cactus. I guess that's around the time it blooms in Florida. I was looking for propagating and growing information and happened upon this site. Your tips are helpful, so I'll be printing it out. Thanks.
In answer to peacefulgardenz question about the name "Christ In The Manger". The plant was given to my mother from a lady in our Church. She was about 80 yrs. old at the time, and had the plant for many years. She had it in a large old fashion wash tub. She is the one that told my mother the name of the plant, and gave her a start. After years of searching to find the real name we found that Epiphyllum oxypetalum was the true name. If you look inside the flower you will see a bed of staimen that you could say looks like a manger, then there is the star that is outside over the manger. That is all I know about the name.
Connie cbalihi@yahoo.com
I have three of these. How did you tie it to the tomato stake? Is it a cage? Or just a wooden stake?? Mine bloomed several years ago. I lived in the woods. I had bright light,but little sun. It bloomed in July. When does yours bloom?
I have a big one in a 14 inch pot. Mine was my great grandmother's.
I never knew to pinch off those long shoots. I will do that. Thanks for your infomative page!! Awesome!!!
Let me know how you tied that up. Especially without damage.
I don't get to this site as often as I should, and that is why I posted my personal e-mail address. I get several letters a week about this plant. My personal e is cbalihi@yahoo.com feel free to write anytime and I will do my best to help you. I am not a professional and don't claim to be. I am just telling you what I have tried over the years and what worked for me.
As for what I tie mine up with: I use an old sheet and tear it into strips, then tie it around the area that is the stem of the plant. I have done this for years and it seems to work the best. If you use twine or string it will eventually eat into the plant whereas the torn sheet strips don't.
Thanks to all of you for your comments. I do love my plants.
Connie
No, I have never been contacted by anyone asking permission to use my pictures. I have been contacted by several who have seen the picture on a web site and recognized it as my picture. A few have even sent me a link to the site that has my picture posted.
Thanks for asking and caring.
Connie
UPDATE: I went to the web site and sent Mr. Joseph D. an e-mail asking him to remove my picture. Had he ask permission I would have probably given it to him. The picture on his site has been cropped so that the "Copyright" could not be seen.
Thanks to all of you that sent me personal e-mails letting me know that you had recognized my picture on his web site.
Connie
I have 3 of these plants and they have bloomed 8 times this year. I started out 3 years ago with 4 leaves. they have grown so much . I split them up this spring and gave some to friends. They bloomed again last night. I love this plant and the fragrance is wonderful I wish iI could bottle it.
Here is a link to a web site I found on line that has the Night Blooming Cereus for sale. I know nothing about the site, but if they send you what they show in the picture I will say that looks like a good deal. http://www.southernpineperennials.com/
Hello,
I was given Epiphyllum leaves by a co-worker to propagate in November 2008. I cut the 2 leaves into 6 pieces and after about 1 month, they all rooted. It is now April and there has not been any growth other than the stringy roots. Should I expect sideshoots to come up from the soil or should I expect growth on the leaves? Did I do something wrong by cutting the leaves in half? Any reply would help.
Greetings,
I have a beautiful queen of the night that was given to me by a friend about 6 months ago - she has been blooming like crazy - but just this last week or so I've noticed her leaves turning a bit yellowish and it looks as thought something is eating away at her and she may have a fungus - her leaves are soggy in some places and dried out & crusty in others - see pictures - if anyone can help - I'd truly appreciate the adivse of what to do to make her well again
Thank you
Mama Crow
1st pic is when she was doing well in full bloom #2 is one of her beautiful flowers #3 is the one where something is eating away at her - I can't see anything #4 & 5 is the fungus or ?? # (well I'll have to post the next pics separate - I don't know how to post them together yet :-)
I am looking to buy a Dutchman's Pipe Cactus, Night Blooming Cereus. My husband's mother had 2 plants shortly after losing her battle with cancer, they both died. I wanted to surprise my husband this Christmas with a plant, but have been having a very hard time finding anyone who has them. Can anyone Please help me find one. my email address is dawnlredden@yahoo.com. I could use all the help I could get finding one for him. Thank you!
Not a good idea to post your email address in a public forum, spammers love to scour the internet for publicly posted emails. You should use the small edit link under your user name and the date/time stamp to erase it. If you want a private reply, anyone can click on your name and send you a D-mail message. You have to come back onto Daves to retrieve it though. If you don't come back within 48 hrs, you will receive an email that you have a D-mail message waiting for you here.
If you click on the PlantFile link in the first post, you'll see that there are 8 vendors that carry this plant.
