The Dutchman's pipe cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) blooms for only a short time, so how should you grow it so it grows fast and blooms beautifully?

The Dutchman's pipe cactus generally blooms from 8-12 at night, and the blooming period lasts only a short four hours. Even so, many flower enthusiasts still like to grow it. Below, let's find out how to grow the Dutchman's pipe cactus so it grows fast and blooms beautifully.

1. Basic facts about the Dutchman's pipe cactus

1. The Dutchman's pipe cactus is an epiphytic succulent shrub that can grow to two to six meters, and it is also called qionghua, tanhua, guizaihua, Weituo flower and so on. The Dutchman's pipe cactus tree originated in the tropical desert regions of Mexico to Brazil in the Americas, and it is now widely cultivated all over the world.

2. The leaves of the Dutchman's pipe cactus are rather flat and lanceolate or oblong, and the edges of its leaves are wavy or have fairly deep rounded teeth, and the leaves are hairless and dark green. The flowers of the Dutchman's pipe cactus grow in the small areoles on the sides of the branches, and the white petals open at night and are accompanied by fragrance. Its berries are purple-red and oblong.

3. Besides having fairly high ornamental value, when the Dutchman's pipe cactus blooms, the negative ions it releases can make indoor air fresh. Moreover, using the Dutchman's pipe cactus as medicine also has the effects of clearing heat, treating asthma and removing toxins, and it is also somewhat helpful for treating constipation with blood in the stool, pneumonia, swollen sores and high blood pressure and blood lipids.

2. How do you grow the Dutchman's pipe cactus so it grows fast and blooms beautifully?

The Dutchman's pipe cactus can be propagated by cuttings or by sowing, but sowing is mostly used for hybrid breeding, and from sowing to blooming takes at least four or five years, so it is generally not used. For cuttings, they can be done from March to May. Generally, greenhouse-raised ones can be used, and this can be done all year round. However, the Dutchman's pipe cactus we usually grow is mostly a potted plant bought on the market, so below let's talk about how to make the Dutchman's pipe cactus grow fast and bloom beautifully in daily management and care.

1. The light for the Dutchman's pipe cactus must be reasonable: this plant likes to grow in a semi-shaded, warm environment. So in summer it should be cared for in a cool place without direct sunlight; in winter it should be moved into a greenhouse or placed in a sunny spot. Winter light must be sufficient, and the overwintering temperature should preferably be kept at 10-13 degrees. But in spring and summer the suitable growing temperature is 21-24 degrees during the day and 16-18 degrees at night.

2. Watering the Dutchman's pipe cactus should be moderate: in summer, the soil in the pot should be kept moist but not waterlogged, because waterlogging very easily causes root rot and even death in the Dutchman's pipe cactus. Because summer temperatures are too high, the water content in the air becomes very low, so in summer you should water more, generally spraying the Dutchman's pipe cactus once or twice in the morning and evening. In this way, the air humidity around the Dutchman's pipe cactus can be increased. In addition, when watering, be sure to water slowly and do not pour water directly on the roots of the Dutchman's pipe cactus;

In spring and autumn, because the temperature is lower and the water content in the air is also relatively high, the frequency of watering should gradually be reduced in spring and autumn;

In winter, the Dutchman's pipe cactus enters its dormant period, so the frequency and amount of watering must be strictly controlled, and generally it is enough to keep the potting soil not too dry.

3. Fertilizing the Dutchman's pipe cactus should be timely: in autumn, you can apply well-rotted diluted liquid fertilizer to the Dutchman's pipe cactus. Without enough nutrients, it is not easy for it to bloom or it will bloom little. In addition, in autumn the shading equipment should also be removed to increase light;

In spring and autumn, apply nitrogen fertilizer once a month, with suitable concentration;

In winter, when brought indoors, water frequently and stop fertilizing, place it in a spot with light, and control its growth. When the winter room temperature is too high, dense new shoots often sprout from the base, and these should be removed in time so as not to consume nutrients and affect blooming after spring; as the temperature rises in spring, it is not suitable to water and fertilize too much, so as to avoid causing bud drop.

4. Pruning the Dutchman's pipe cactus should be done regularly: the branches of the Dutchman's pipe cactus grow very fast, so it is very tolerant of pruning. When pruning the Dutchman's pipe cactus, be careful not to prune too heavily. Generally, it is enough to leave five or six main branches, and branches that are too densely grown, dry, or diseased or pest-infested should also be cut off in time. During its growth, in order to keep it from growing too tall, we can use the method of pinching off the tips to control it and let it grow side buds.

5. After the Dutchman's pipe cactus has bloomed once, fertilizer should be applied in time. Generally, after the flowers fade, apply a nitrogen-phosphorus compound fertilizer once every two weeks. Also remember to water in time after fertilizing, as this can also let it continue to bloom.

The above are the care methods for the Dutchman's pipe cactus. By following this method, the Dutchman's pipe cactus can basically grow fast and bloom beautifully. Friends who grow the Dutchman's pipe cactus or want to grow it can give it a try!