Epiphyllum (Litroos of bladroos)

Epiphyllum (Litroos of bladroos in Afrikaans) on my patio

Also known as climbing cacti, orchid cacti and leaf cacti.

The orchid cactus is a gorgeous group of tree-growing cacti. The Epiphyllum (the botanical name) has broad, flat, leaflike stems scalloped on the edge, strung together by a woody midvein.

These jewels are the proud owners of some of the largest, most unbelievable flowers in the whole plant world. Although the epiphyllum is called the “orchid cactus” it is not an orchid but a cactus.

These are the most majestic of hanging plants, easy to handle, and include a group of miniature or basket varieties. Like the summer-flowering tuberous begonia, these are “shade plants” in hot climates. Otherwise, they need sunlight in fall, winter, and spring, and shade only when summer sun becomes searing hot. They flower best when temperatures stay near 65 degrees, and when the air is humid.

The popular conception of cactus potting soil is not acceptable for this plant. At home in the tropics, these are tree-dwellers where their roots feed on decaying organic matter and are largely exposed to the air.

If your plant is badly pot-bound move it to the next size pot rather than to a much larger one. A light, porous, humus-rich mixture that will hold some moisture and yet will drain quickly. The soil should be coarse, not finely sifted; slightly acid; and for further aeration and purification, generously supplied with small bits of crushed charcoal.

Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are not recommended.

My Epiphyllum just starting to flower

These cactus should not be over-potted, but slightly root-bound. When re-potting is called for – with mature plants, no more often than every second year – have the plant, new pot and soil nearly dry. Transplanting is usually done a month after flowering but do not transplant unless necessary. Withhold water for three or four days after repotting, and water sparingly for the next three or four weeks. In winter, when they rest, they need just enough water to keep the stems from shriveling.
- This information from Plant Care Today
 

Aloe striata

Aloe striata - pics taken in a garden in Ballito, KwaZulu Natal

Aloe striata is a stemless aloe with blue green leaves. Attractive coral red flowers are borne during the winter months on tall flat-topped inflorescences.

This species is comprised of three subspecies; the typical subsp. striata as well as the two less well-known subsp. karasbergensis and subsp. kommagasensis - which are both more difficult to cultivate than the subsp. striata and consequently seldom seen in gardens. The subsp. striata is widely distributed over the Eastern & South Western Cape province. It grows in stony soils on rocky hillsides in arid areas near the coast and the drier inland karoo areas.

As with most aloes, the plants provide nectar during winter which is an important source of food for the attractive sunbirds and many other nectivorous birds during the cooler period of the year when food is not readily available.

Aloe striata is a popular and most rewarding garden plant. It is relatively easy to cultivate under a wide variety of climatic conditions provided it is planted in a well-drained situation in full sun and given adequate water but not over-watered. It can withstand extreme frost and prolonged drought. This species is not only very showy when in flower but also during the rest of the year on account of its attractive foliage.

Propagation is from seed which germinates easily if sown in well drained soil and covered lightly with fine sand. Seedlings grow fast, reaching flowering size in three to four years. This species, as with most Aloe species, is subject to attack by snout weevil, white scale and aloe rust, although healthy specimens don't fall prey to pests and disease as easily as stressed plants do. These maladies are best treated symptomatically when they occur and your local nursery or garden centre should be able to advise on products suitable for your particular situation.

(All info from PlantZAfrica.com as I knew nothing about this particular Aloe)

The garden whispered, "Spring is here!"

The weather has warmed up nicely and all the birds in the garden announced that winter is at an end! The Weavers started building nests and the Red-billed Wood Hoopoos lured their two babies out of their nest in my old Peach tree and took them off to greener pastures. I do hope they'll be back to spend more time in my garden...

Red-billed Wood Hoopoo (Phoeniculus purpureus)

I've been lax checking on my succulents (the few I have left in the garden after giving everything away, thinking that we were moving to the coast), firstly because I was really ill with pneumonia at the end of May and then with Chronic Bronchitis virtually the whole of June and July and secondly because of the cold, but now that I've recovered and with the warmer weather I ventured into the succulent garden to assess the winter damage. 

  
To my surprise I found that everything had survived and, in fact, the succulent area has been over-taken by the Crassula imperialis (or possibly muscosa...?) and are none the worse for wear after the cold. I now have thousands of little plants and could probably fill a thousand pots and still have plenty left! A new business opportunity, perhaps...? lol!

There are a few Echinopsis cacti somewhere under all that Crassula imperialis - need to get them out and transplanted before they make any flowers, which would have trouble showing up through all this!

With such an abundance of Crassula, I took the chance of filling a pot with some of it as well as some (rather leggy) Echeverias to put in a sunny spot on the patio.

Aloe ferox seeds randomly dispersed by birds or the wind ended up growing tightly together next to my garden path, making it impassable! This position is in dappled shade and gets quite a lot of water, I think that aided in the germination process. Need to transplant some of these babies now. And check out all the Crassula also covering the pathway!

Chores for the next couple of days will consist of transplanting some of the "unwanted" aloes to sunny spots and spreading some of that lovely Crassula to other parts of the garden so that I can have my pathway back!

 

I discovered a pot Echinopsis cactus (makes pink flowers) with new pups somewhere under some red Hot Pokers. Want to try and separate the pups today.... The other succulents in the pot (Crassula and Kalanchoe) were put in the pot either by birds or the wind!

For my friends in the Northern Hemisphere now heading into cold weather, I hope your winter is mild and that all your succulents thrive!

The beauty and ease of Echeverias

With their wonderful grey-green waxy colours and absolutely symmetrical appearance, Echeverias must certainly be one of the most beautiful succulents on our planet. Add to that the ease with which they propagate and the minimal care they need, and you have a winner!

Echeverias are native to semi-desert areas of Central America, Mexico and north-western South America and although they do thrive in hot, desert conditions, with a bit of extra water you will have the biggest and most gorgeous plants that reward with lots and lots of flowers.

Most will tolerate shade and some frost, although hybrids, like this E. imbricata (or glauca), tend to be less tolerant. I often bring my most prized plants which are in pots, indoors for winterizing.

 Echeveria imbricata planted in an old dog basket

 Large Echeveria imbricata (10" in dia), sharing a concrete pot with some waxy-green Aeoniums. A shade-loving Aloe zebrina took hold at the base of the pot, probably a seed spread by birds.

The beautiful flowers of E. imbricata

Once they start flowering, there's no stopping them!

This succulent propagates by making lots of pups which can be separated and planted out to form new clumps and in a few months you could have cultivated a beautiful collection! It is also easily propagated by taking a leaf and sticking it in some sandy soil, keeping it slightly moist until roots have formed, when a new little plant will emerge next to the leaf cutting. 

A few Echeverias planted in front of some Phormiums soon spread to cover the whole area in a matter of two seasons.

Winter succulents

The only thing flowering in the succulent garden now is Kalanchoe rotundifolia and some Erigeron...

Kalanchoe rotundifolia flower. It seems to like the cold, all the plants are flowering profusely! (June 2017)

 

Rattail cactus (aporocactus flagelliformis)

Every Spring my Rattail cactus (aporocactus flagelliformis) rewards me with a mass of beautiful flowers. We’re heading for winter now here in South Africa, so I have a while to wait for these beauties again!

The lovely flowers can be up to 7 or 8cm long!

The bright pink flowers 1.5 inches long, 2.5 inches wide (4 by 6 cm), are produced along the long hanging stems, up to 4 feet long (120 cm) or more, in spring and summer and are sometimes followed by small red fruits. In the wild, they are pollinated by hummingbirds, but in cultivation, they generally need to be hand pollinated. They originate from the Highland plateaus of Mexico (Oaxaca, Hidalgo), but are cilutivated throughout the world.

Although all the info I’ve read says they don’t tolerate frost, they have survived many frosty winters outside in my garden, but I must say, since I’ve decided to bring them inside during winter, I do get a much longer and better flowering period. But they do need some cold to produce their flowers, so I keep them in a cool place in the house.

They need to be kept moist all the time so water abundantly in summer. Needs good drainage.

One of my Rattail Cacti over-wintering it in my flower room

I had two of these beauties but this one has gone to a good home, so I will now be lavishing all my attention on the one I have left (below)

The Rattail cactus is another succulent that actually prefers a hanging basket, as the trailing stems can get several feet long. Just prepare a hanging basket with some good succulent soil and lots of drainage. Cut of one of the long tails and plant in the centre of the basket. It will soon send out lots of shoots and before long they will be trailing over the edge.

Happy succulenting!

Succulent heaven!

Succulents - my passion!