Night blooming cereus is a sort of cactus plant known for its big, fragrant white flowers that bloom at night. Because of its unique growth habit and gorgeous flowers, this plant, native to Central and South America, is a famous ornamental plant. In this blog article, we will look at what night blooming cereus is, how to grow and take care of it, and what conditions are best for its growth. We’ll also go over some tips to grow this plant and how to propagate it.
What is Night Blooming Cereus Plant?
Night blooming cereus, also renowned as Queen of the Night or Moonflower, is a cactus in the Cactaceae family. It is native to Central and South America, and its massive, white, fragrant flowers bloom only at night. Long, spiky stems and triangular green leaves characterize the plant. It is a widely known ornamental plant because of its lovely flowers and unusual growth habit. When in full bloom, the flowers can grow to be up to 6 inches wide, making for a spectacular sight. Below is the picture of a pink night blooming cereus:
Night Blooming Cereus Flower Details
Each flower petal measures between 6 and 8 inches and the flower’s center is composed of a group of internal white and yellow components. They are remarkably unusually bright and showy.
With tendrils spreading from the flower’s outside and stem, the outer portion of the flower has an alien-like appearance. The stem droops down and then extends out in the shape of a cone as the flower blooms, which becomes heavier. After it blooms, it starts to sag toward the ground and go wild, losing its integrity.
The cereus plant itself is made up of long vines, large and thick leaves, and tough stems. They produce flowers and even more leaves as their leaves grow. It’s a strikingly different-looking plant that stands out in the plant world. As a result, many people enjoy collecting them and using them as a central focus in their cacti collection.
These plants can also get quite big. They might grow up to ten feet tall and densely with a bush-like thickness. They thrive in the wild in the right conditions and also can develop a large growth area that might withstand even some saltwater exposure.
How to Grow Night Blooming Cereus
You can grow night blooming cereus from seeds or cuttings. Fresh seeds should be purchased from a reputable seller and planted in well-draining soil to rise from seeds. Maintain soil moisture and give plants plenty of sunlight. The seeds may not sprout for several weeks.
Take a stem cutting from an established night blooming cereus cactus and cut off the lower leaves to start a new plant from a cutting. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil after dipping it in the rooting hormone. Maintain soil moisture and give plants plenty of sunlight. The cutting may take several weeks to root and become established. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that this plant can be a slow grower, so persistence is essential when starting it from cuttings or seeds.
Night Blooming Cereus Care
To thrive, night blooming cereus necessitates well-draining soil and a lot of sunlight. Water the plant on a regular basis, but avoid overwatering, which can end up causing the roots to rot. During the growth period, fertilize the plant once per month with a balanced cactus fertilizer.
Because it is not cold hardy, it must be protected from frost. If you live in a colder climate, keep the plant inside or in a greenhouse. The plant also needs a period of dormancy before blooming and should be kept in a cool, dark place during this time. The temperature should be between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and there should be very little light.
How to Propagate Night Blooming Cereus
Night blooming cereus might be propagated through stem cuttings or offset rooting. Take a cutting from a good stem and eliminate the leaves from the bottom to propagate from stem cuttings. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil after dipping it in the rooting hormone. Maintain moist soil and plenty of sunlight. The cutting may take several weeks to root and establish itself.
Offsets are tiny plants that develop at the mother plant’s base. Consider removing these offsets with care and plant them in their individual pots filled with well-draining soil. Maintain moist soil and plenty of sunlight.
Night blooming cereus is a wonderful and easy-to-grow plant that will make a statement in any garden if grown properly. Its distinct blooming pattern can make it a pleasurable and rewarding experience for any grower or plant enthusiast.
Tips to Grow Night Blooming Cereus
You should apply the following tips to have a healthy and strong night blooming cereus:
- Keep the soil well-drained to avoid root rot.
- Allow at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Regular but not excessive watering is necessary for the plant.
- Once per month during the growth period, fertilize the plant.
- Frost protection is especially important if you live in a colder climate.
- Allow the plant time to rest before blooming.
- Be patient as the plant may take several weeks or even months to bloom.
- Keep humidity levels minimal, as excess humidity can lead to fungal or pest problems.
- Use rooting hormone to promote root growth when propagating.
- Pruning the plant on a regular basis will allow you to control its size and shape.
- If growing in a container, ensure that the container has drainage holes to stop water from becoming trapped in the soil.
Winter Treatment
Avoid exposing night blooming cereus to temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Carry plants indoors well before the first frost. If the flowers are budded when they arrive, place them in the brightest spot possible. Otherwise, even low lighting is sufficient. Plants should be kept cool in the winter, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 60 degrees. Plants tolerate low humidity throughout the winter, despite their rainforest roots. From November to March, water small plants sparingly. Throughout this time, mature plants require little to no water. If your night blooming cereus leaves are shriveling, it’s time to water them. Below is a picture of night blooming cereus bud:
Plants frequently develop long, pencil-like stems during the winter. When these stems are left alone, flattened leaves grow from them. To keep the plant in check, trim these stems as considered necessary. Plants should be moved outside in the spring as soon as the nights are consistently above 40 degrees. Start feeding plants once they have adjusted to environmental conditions and prepare for the summer flower show.
FAQs
What are the Optimal Conditions for the Development of Night Blooming Cereus?
The night blooming cereus prefers warm weather and lots of sunlight. It is ideal to keep the plant in a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The plant prefers temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
How fast does night blooming cereus grow?
Normally, it takes between two and three years before it starts to produce blooms, but once it does, they are magnificent. It requires relatively little care indoors other than a bay window and space to grow because it isn’t winter hardy in Arkansas. Each winter, stay it dry, and during the late spring, move it outside to a shaded area.
How often does night blooming cereus bloom?
It really glistened with the possibility of surprise. It turned out to be the night-blooming cereus, a collective name for a dozen different species of cacti that only generate blossoms at night. One night per year, this flower, which may be of the species Epiphyllum oxypetalum, blooms.
How often should you water a night blooming cereus?
A 5.0″ potted night-blooming cereus that is not exposed to direct sunlight requires 0.8 cups of water every 12 days. Utilize our water calculator to tailor watering suggestions to your surroundings or download some available applications for more sophisticated suggestions for each plant in your garden.
Conclusion
Growing the night blooming cereus is enjoyable and rewarding. It will undoubtedly add a touch of elegance to any garden with its distinctive blooming pattern and lovely flowers. This plant can make a stunning addition to any indoor or outdoor space with the proper conditions and care. It’s important to keep in mind that it might take some time to grow and may require some patience, but the outcome might be worthwhile. Growing more of these plants and introducing others to the beauty of this extraordinary plant can be accomplished by propagating it from offsets or stem cuttings.
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