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Epiphyllum
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Posted by echidna8 Victoria Australia (My Page) on Sat, Nov 1, 08 at 22:49
| For many (35 ?)years I have been growing two types of epiphyllums. Each year they flower very well... if I beat the snails. One type has long narrow 2.5 inch stems, flowers mid spring with largish red flowers. The other type has wider, flatter stems, flowers later with much larger creamy opalescent white flowers. Last spring I noticed that I had 2 different red flowers and it appeared that the formerly cream flowers (on the wider stems)were very early and they were not only very red, but the inside of the flower had flashes of a distinctive purplish irridiscense. This year (drought again in Aust) is a very good year for these plants, and I have even more beautiful blooms with these purplish colours. How is it possible for these plants to change colours like this? Is it possible that the occasional watering (during last year's dry summer)with grey water has prompted this change? I can see a few buds on the remaining plants not yet in flower, that look like they will be white when they open. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Epiphyllum
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| Hello Echidna.What is 'grey water'? T. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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| Ah...sorry, a common Aust term these days. 'Grey water' is rinse water from the laundry. If you use sensible quantities of low phosphate detergents, this water is OK for most plants. However, I don't use it on ferns or Australian native plants even though I read that it is safe. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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Hi.I imagine you'd have to have that water analised in order to know what minerals or other substances are in it and wether they directly or indirectly (by reacting with other minerals in your soil) act as fertilisers and to what a degree.I know that potash and phosphates can affect flower colour, and, as your plants are probably of hybrid origin - the genetic make-up of such plants being quite complex - these minerals can enhance subtle colours,previously 'hidden' as it were, and so give an overall impression of colour variation.
I say all this 'cause I've had similar experiences, not with 'grey' water, but with 'white' water with various fertilisers added.I hope this helps.Maybe there are a few Epiphyllum growers out there who can shed some more light on this.Bye for now . T. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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Thanks Tunilla. It is all becoming quite interesting. A West Australian grower makes the suggestion that new colours can appear for no apparent reason
"When an epi has colours that are not the normal colours,it is either a freak or it is reverting back to it's parentage. Either way it is a beautiful thing as you can cut the branch/branches and grow them on separately.
They should then become a new entity or 'sport'. I have a few of these. A few of the best hybrids today are 'sports'. It's a quick way of getting a new type!"
He doesn't think the recycled water has been the trigger. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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Hi, Iv been growing epies for many years and some times I'll get one plant with two diffrent colored flowers there in the same tones but one might be light pink and the other dark red some times my white will blush pink I'm not sure if this would be called a sport but I kinda think its a throw back to the parent plants, this doesn't happen all the time on the same plant,so I'm thinking it might be something in the fertiliser or in the potting mix I use, I use grey water alot in the winter and don't think its the water, but a sport will bloom the same color every time and not just every now and then, to find out if its a sport take a cutting and then in a few years when it blooms you will know for sure
Bear |
RE: Epiphyllum
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| Thanks Gardenbear, all this info is great. I am getting the same new colour on several different plants. I now am concerned of course, that I might be losing the beautiful original white blooms altogether. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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| Hello Echidna.Let's call it coincidence then,but wouldn't it be a shame if all your Epis started changing colour every year?It would certainly be a nightmare for a professional Epi-grower;just imagine the descriptions in the catalogue :"Epi so 'n' so colour maybe red, maybe fuschia or maybe slightly rosey....happy Epi-growing! T. |
RE: Epiphyllum
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Yes , that would stretch the Latin a bit.I have a couple of pics but I can't work out how to attach them to this. What am I missing??
Gil |
RE: Epiphyllum
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Here are 2 pics. The white flowers are the original colours , photographed a couple of years ago. The red one is the new flower photographed this week.
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RE: Epiphyllum
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| Wow, that red looks practically glowing!! |
RE: Epiphyllum
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echidna8 what are the names of the two Epiphyllums that are pictured?
Thanks |
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