EPIPHYLLUM. 



181 



twice daily for about ten days, during which time very little water ought to he given to 

 the roots. After this good start the plants should have more light and air, with water 

 at the roots as often as the soil approaches dryness. 



When the young shoots have made good progress, or, say, late in July, the plants 

 may be plunged in beds of ashes in a sunny position in the open air, there to mature their 

 flowering wood. Winter them in a light position in cool airy greenhouse, and water 

 carefully at all times. 



Eighteen good Epacrises. 



ardentissima. 



densiflora. 



elegans. 



Eclipse. 



exoniensis. 



Her Majesty. 



hyacinthitlora. 



,, candidissiina. 

 carminata. 



,, fulgens. 

 Jubileo. 

 KiDghorni. 



Lady Alice Peel, 

 miuiata splendens. 

 Princess Beatrice. 

 Eoso perfection, 

 rubra superba. 

 Vesuvius. 



EPIPHYLLUM. 



Strictly speaking, epiphyllums are cactaceous, but are extensively grown in many 

 gardens where no attempt is made to form a collection of cacti and succulents, and are 

 included among greenhouse plants accordingly. They are easy to cultivate, very fioriferous, 

 and a well-grown plant is a beautiful object when in flower. E. Eussellianum, with its 

 varieties Gaertneri, Makoyanum, and superbum, are to be found in nurseries, and should 

 be more generally grown in private gardens. E. truncatum and its varieties are the most 

 familiar, and are worthy of the best cultural attention that can be bestowed on them. 



Epiphyllums are easily propagated by cuttings or small branches. These if inserted 

 singly in small pots filled with a mixture of loam, leaf soil, peat, crushed charcoal, 

 and sharp sand, will root quickly in brisk heat. On their own roots, however, the 

 plants are too dwarf and spreading to be of much service, unless in hanging baskets. 

 Epiphyllums ought principally to bo grafted on stocks with a clear stem 1 foot and 

 upwards in height. There are two kinds of stocks available, Cereus speciosissimus and 

 Pereskia aculeata for the taller stems. The first named was probably the original stock 

 used, but appears to have gone out of favour. 



Cereus speciosissimus is of erect growth, with a succulent angular stem. Large 

 pieces, after being duly dried on a shelf for three or four daj^s, may be rooted in well- 

 drained 4-inch or larger pots, filled with the above-mentioned mixture, and will soon 

 afterwards be ready for grafting. Make small vertical incisions in the angles with a 



