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My Garden
Climate conditions
Because New Zealand is made up of Islands, the climate is influenced by the sea and prevailing winds, which affect temperatures,
cloud cover and rainfall.
The advantage of growing Epiphyllums in Auckland is, it is an area close to the sea and a narrow part of the north island meaning
we have minimal frosts - in my area maybe 1 or 2 a year.
Winter maximums are 12 - 15C, with a summer maximum rarely reaching 30C and usually around 25C.
So minimal summer winter temperature difference compared with a continental climate
Because these are my local conditions, other locations may not beable to grow plants like this.
Some observations
Currently I am experimenting with growing my epiphyllums outside in the open.
The practice here, in NZ was plants were always in pots and in a sheltered and shaded location. This picture on the right was a local gardener
who had been given "a few cactus plants" that he grew on the southwest side (the cold exposed side) of his house. He hadn't been told any different.
His few cuttings over time multiplied and he was later given other ones which he grew the same way. They flowered regularly.
The property has since been sold and this garden is no longer there. BUT the fact they grew so well is a motivstion to do the same.
For a number of years some of my plants were grown on the easterly side of the house, open to the rain and sun.
(prevailing winds from the west)
Putting things into practice
This year I have grown plants in various locations. Under trees with dappled light - to full sunlight and down to high shade...
Knowledge of the plants ancestory is extremely useful here. Disocactus phyllanthoides preferes much higher shade
compared with Disocactus speciosus that seems to enjoy full sun. Epiphyllum crenatum copes in full light
as long as it is well watered. And this gives me a rough guide to how much sun I can expose these plants to.
Also higher light with most hybrids seem to enhance the quantity of flowers the plant produces.
Seedlings of a Disocactus phyllanthoides cross, are happy in part shade,
and a Disocactus speciosus x Epiphyllum crenatum have been grown in full sunlight
Currently I have some Disocactus speciosus x Disocactus phyllanthoides - the first 'Epiphyllum' cross.
These plants seem reasonably tough, although they are still small.