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clipping from a Epiphyllum oxypetalum

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by Myrna on February 23, 2006 12:33 PM
Hi All,
A friend of mine has a clipping from a Epiphyllum oxypetalum (dutchman's pipe) he has it sitting in water is this way to start it? he was given the clipping but no directions on what to do with it. [dunno] So once it roots what type of soil and care does it need? thanks for any help on this. [wavey]

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Myrna R

life is like a box chocolates you never know what you are going to get (unless you pop the bottoms in first!)
by Cricket on February 23, 2006 01:28 PM
Myrna,

Tell your friend to take the cutting out of water before it rots, let it scab over for a day or two, then pot it just below moistened soil surface in a small pot using orchid mix. Don't worry if the cutting doesn't stand up straight - you don't want to bury it too deeply. Hmmm, now that I think of it, just laying it atop the soil will probably work too but I haven't tried that myself yet. Epis are very easy to root.

Place the pot in a sunny window and let dry out before watering again. Be very careful not to overwater.

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by PAR_Gardener on February 26, 2006 01:20 PM
Myrna,

Epis are very easy to root. I've found it difficult to actually kill epis (getting them to bloom is a little trickier), short of not watering them or letting them freeze. I believe that in their natural habitat, they are creepers, and they send out roots along almost any stem.

Take a cutting and just stick it into the soil. Keep the soil moist, and it'll root. I've had cuttings in water for almost a year, and they're still alive. (I've been meaning to pot them up and give them away, but I haven't had time, and I can't bear to let a cutting just die.) They won't thrive or flower by any means, but they'll survive.

As far as soil goes, a faster draining soil is better. Something that holds water better than cactus/succulent soil, but drains a little faster than regular potting soil. If all you have is regular potting soil, it should be ok. Like I mentioned before, it's hard to kill epis.

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Composting is more than good for your garden. It's a way of life.
by Myrna on February 27, 2006 08:29 AM
thank you all for your advice. [clappy] I had him get a rooting hormone we will see how it goes. [grin] I will you all posted.

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Myrna R

life is like a box chocolates you never know what you are going to get (unless you pop the bottoms in first!)

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