Like its cousin, the Christmas cactus, night-blooming cereus (Hylocereus undatus), generally called Christ in the Manger, is a clamoring, vinelike perennial is the plant family Epephyllum. The cactus that is hardy develops leafless, three sided stems which can be trained to climb a help via brown rootlets over the stems. Cultivated as a container planting in Sunset Climate Zones 12 to 14 and 4-to 7, the plant that is strange is an addition to doorways, decks and patios. The Christ in the Manger plant only blooms once a year, one evening, with blooms that last. Purchase evening-blooming cereus crops on the web or from local nurseries or have a cutting in the plant of a buddy or family member. With care, night-blooming cereus crops become family heirlooms and stay for for many years.
Prepare a mixture of 1 part natural compost, 1 part sand and 1 part potting soil. A 2 inch pot with all the mixture. The container should possess a hole for drainage.
Position a 3- to 4 inch cutting using the cut edge about one quarter of its own length in the soil in the pot. Water lightly at planting. The soil needs to be moist, but not soggy.
Place the cutting out of sunlight, in a vibrant place. The cutting should produce roots in about six months, anchoring itself.
Water the when the first inch of soil is dry to the touch, cutting. The plant will die from root-rot if extremely watered and prefers to be around the side.
Transplant the cutting into a 6-inch pot when the cutting is promoting roots and displays evidence of new development. Porous, non-glazed clay pots perform best. Before the plant has totally outgrown its container don’t transplant again. Plants which can be root- tend to create the flowers. Once proven, the plant prefers a vibrant, full-sun area. Night-blooming cereus doesn’t bloom before the plant is more successful, at about 4-to 5 years old.
Feed the plant with a 20-20-20 fertilizer throughout spring and . summer Cease fertilization throughout the winter and fall months to encourage flowering. One or mo-Re buds can be developed by the plant. It’s a remarkable sight to observe the delightful, very aromatic trumpet-formed flowers open. It is possible to actually start to see the movements as the petals unfold. The flower are creamy-white using a heart that is deep. Numerous flower buds kind, blooming every two months from Oct through December, as the plant matures.
Move the plant in-doors when the mercury drops to guard evening-blooming cereus from freezing temperatures. The plant can endure serious harm a-T temperatures below 4 degrees Fahrenheit. When introduced in doors, the plant needs an entirely dark environment from dark to dawn (mimicking out Door conditions) so that you can establish flower buds. Place the plant in closet or an extra bedroom where the cycle can be controlled by you. Maintain the lights cycle before the plant is moved outside in the spring.
Trim the plant pruners to get a handle on size and shape. The plant grows developing vines up to 40-feet long once proven.