Temple City, Calif. Page Seven 


-EPIPHYLLUMS OR ORCHID CACTI 
Deservedly taking the spotlight with all the dramatic appeal of a lovely leading lady, we find our “orchid 
cacti” getting more and more applause as its distinctive, breath-taking beauty becomes known to more lovers 
of flowers. 
The orchid cactus can truly be described as a composite of many beautiful blossoms. It has the patrician love- 
liness of the rose, the brilliant coloring of the dahlia, the waxlike, dewy freshness of the orchid and the camellia. 
In colors, these skillfully hybridized Epiphyllum blossoms range from purest white to flashy shades of car- 
mine, cerise and purple, through a wide range of intermediate blended shades of creamy yellow, soft pinks and 
cool violets. In size, they vary from the three inch clustering blossoms of the dainty Empress types to the giant ten 
inch flowers of many larger varieties. 
In habit of growth, orchid cactus follow the exotic tropical flowers for which they are named, for they are not 
desert cactus. Their parents originated in luxuriant tropical forests, growing in rich humus on the ground or 
epiphytic in the crotches of trees. So these flowering cacti make ideal potted plants, some taking naturally to 
hanging baskets, while others grow more satisfactorily in containers suited to upright growth. They are at home 
in the house, in the conservatory, the lathhouse, the shaded patio or beneath a cherished shade tree. 
EPIPHYLLUM CULTURE 
Ideal soil mixture consists of 6 parts leaf mold, 3 parts well-rotted manure, and 4 parts decomposed granite 
or concrete sand, or a mixture of the two if both are available. The soil must be coarse so that it will drain 
easily and the pot or other container should have drainage holes at the bottom as water stagnation will cause 
_ damage to the roots. The branches of hanging basket types may be allowed to hang naturally but other kinds 
should be staked and tied for ease in handling. The slender bamboo stakes sold by nurseries are ideal for this 
purpose. The soil should be kept moist at all times and the plants should be kept in partial shade. 
We are members of the Epiphyllum Society of America and are adopting the standard names as approved by 
this society in order to save our customers the inconvenience and expense of buying the same plant under differ- 
ent names. The name Epiphyllum has priority of use according to international rules governing botanical names 
and has been adopted by this society. The name Phyllocacti referred to the same plants is a synonym and should 
be discarded. 
Rooted cuttings are about 6 inches long and may not be expected to flower this year. If buds appear they 
should be removed in order to conserve the strength of the plant for new growth. Medium size plants are those 
which bear one to several branches and some of them may bloom this year. Specimen size plants are 2 feet to 
3 feet high with exception of the dwarf types. These plants will bloom this season and will be shipped in bud if 
ordered in time for March or April delivery. Some kinds bloom later than others and can be shipped in bud 
during May or even June. But the early flowering types, such as E. Ackermannii, should be ordered earlier. 
HYBRIDS 
ACKERMANNII. One of the oldest and best known 
having rather small light red flowers. It is the earliest 
to bloom in the spring and frequently thereafter having 
a not so prolific flowering season in the fall. Specimen 
plant $4.00, medium $1.00, rooted cutting .25 
A. D. HOUGHTON. Large flower with large round- 
ed petals of scarlet, the inner ones flame-color bordered 
with violet. Originated by the beloved author of ‘The 
Cactus Book,” the late Dr. A. D. Houghton, friend of 
all cactus lovers. Specimen plant $5.00, medium size 
$2.00, rooted cutting .50 
AGATHA (syn. Peach Blow). A reliable bloomer 
pink with crimson center. Specimen plant $4.00, me- 
dium branched $1.50, rooted cutting .35 
AMBER QUEEN. Vigorous free flowering with 8 inch 
flame red on outer petals, the inner ones orange red 
edged with violet rose, center amber to yellow. Speci- 

Epiphyllum Agatha 
men $4.00, medium branched $1.25, rooted cutting .35 
AUTUMN. Erect triangular stems bearing thick tubed, 
many petaled red, orange tinged flowers. Sometimes 
bloom in autumn but mostly in spring. Specimen 
$4.00, medium $2.00, rooted cutting .35 
BELLA. Bell shaped soft pink, with wavy incurved 
petals. Specimen $5.00, medium $2.00, rooted cutting 
a5 
CONWAY'S GIANT. A _ sturdy, vigorous grower 
bearing unusually large, deep red and purple blossoms, 
the newly grown stems of a deep red or purplish color. 
Specimen $4.00, medium $1.50, rooted cutting .40 
COOPERI. A vigorous erect plant, flowers large, fra- 
grant, inner petals white, the outer ones narrow, 
pointed, lemon yellow. Rooted cuttings .35, medium 
size $1.50, specimen plant $5.00 
DESERT SUNRISE. Elegant flowers shaped like a 
water lily of medium size, the outer petals scarlet, the 
inner ones orange-red edged with violet. A striking 
popular variety much in demand. Specimen plant $4.00, 
medium size $1.25, rooted cutting .25 
DEUTSCHE KAISERIN. This one has a different type 
of flower from the previous listing, characterized by 
much smaller flowers having a set of flaring outer 
