Latest Production Area Distribution of Epiphyllum and Introduction to Its Main Production Areas
Epiphyllum is also known as Qionghua, Tanhua, Guizaihua, Weituohua, Beauty Under the Moon, etc. It is an epiphytic succulent shrub plant of the genus Epiphyllum in the cactus family. Because its flowering time is very brief, there is the saying “a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom.” It is widely cultivated in various regions of the world and has high cultivation value. Now let us take a look at the production area distribution of Epiphyllum!
Production Area Distribution of Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum is native to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Suriname, Costa Rica, and other places. It is now widely cultivated in various regions of the world, and is commonly cultivated in various provinces and regions of China. According to specimen collection records from 1936, it has become naturalized in southern Yunnan, growing at an altitude of 1000-1200 m.
Production Area Environment of Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum prefers a warm, humid, semi-shaded, warm and moist environment. It is not tolerant of frost and avoids intense sunlight and exposure. In particular, its temperature requirements are higher than those of its native habitat, at 15-25°C. In spring and summer, the nighttime temperature needs to be 16-18°C, and the daytime temperature 21-24°C. The overwintering temperature is 10-12°C, and the soil should not be too dry. In winter it can tolerate low temperatures of around 5°C. The soil should preferably be a slightly acidic sandy soil rich in humus, with good drainage, loose and fertile; otherwise, root rot easily occurs.
Why It Blooms at Night
Epiphyllum is native to the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in the Americas. The climate there is dry and hot, but it becomes much cooler at night. Blooming at night can avoid intense sunlight exposure, shorten the flowering time, and also greatly reduce water loss, which is beneficial to its survival. It allows its life to continue. Thus, over a long period, the characteristic of Epiphyllum blooming briefly at night gradually formed and has been passed down from generation to generation to this day.
Cultivation Value of Epiphyllum
1. Ornamental value: Epiphyllum is a famous ornamental flower, commonly known as the Beauty Under the Moon. Whenever the summer and autumn seasons arrive, when the sky is full of stars and the night is quiet, Epiphyllum blooms, displaying its beautiful posture and elegant colors. While people are still asleep in their dreams, the pure and fragrant Epiphyllum has already closed and withered in an instant, hence the saying “a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom.” Its wonderful flowering habit often attracts great interest from flower lovers.
2. Medicinal value: Epiphyllum has the effects of softening the bowels, removing toxins, clearing heat, and treating asthma. It mainly treats heat syndrome of the large intestine, constipation and bloody stool, swollen sores, pneumonia, blood-streaked phlegm, asthma, and other conditions, and also treats high blood pressure and excessively high blood lipids.
3. Ecological value: Placing a few pots of green plants at home can not only allow you to absorb healthy fresh air every day, but also benefit health and beautify the environment.
① Green plants generally carry out photosynthesis during the day, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. At night, they all become like the human body, absorbing oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. However, Epiphyllum is exactly the opposite. It is a common plant with CAM metabolism (Crassulacean acid metabolism). During the day it releases oxygen and only carries out the light reaction. At night, after the surrounding ambient temperature drops to an appropriate level, it absorbs carbon dioxide to carry out the dark reaction. Therefore, Epiphyllum can improve the indoor environment to a certain extent.
② Epiphyllum can increase the negative ion content indoors. Although its flowering period is very short, when it blooms it is beautiful and noble, with a rich fragrance spreading all around. It can release negative ions, making the indoor air fresh and pleasant. Negative ions can be said to be the vitamins of the air. If the negative ion content in a room decreases, people will feel suffocated and short of breath. Therefore, Epiphyllum, which can increase the concentration of negative ions in the air, is indeed a rare, beautiful, and beneficial flower.
③ The scent of Epiphyllum has the ability to sterilize and inhibit bacteria, filling the home environment with a healthy atmosphere.