Hello, dedicated human. I am your Orchid Cactus, a plant of the genus *Epiphyllum* and its relatives. You wish for me to produce a spectacular display of blooms. I desire this too; it is my purpose. To achieve this, you must understand my needs from my perspective. Here is what I require.
This is the most crucial element you often overlook. I am not a machine that blooms on demand. I need a period of rest, a simulated winter. As the days shorten and temperatures drop in late autumn, you must significantly reduce your watering. Allow my soil to become almost completely dry between very light waterings. Withhold all fertilizer during this time. Place me in a cooler spot, around 50-55°F (10-13°C), for 6-8 weeks. This cool, dry dormancy tells my internal chemistry that it is time to stop producing leaves and start setting flower buds. Without this vital rest, I simply will not have the energy or signal to bloom.
I am an epiphyte, naturally growing in the dappled light beneath the canopy of trees. I crave bright, plentiful light to photosynthesize and create the energy needed for flowers. However, the harsh, direct midday sun will scorch my flat, leaf-like stems, causing them to yellow and bleach. Please place me in an east or west-facing window where I can bask in the gentle morning or late afternoon sun, or in a very bright spot away from the intense southern exposure. During my rest period, the cooler temperatures are often paired with these shorter, less intense days, reinforcing the message that it is time to prepare for blooming.
When I am actively growing in the spring and summer, I am hungry for nutrients. But I need the correct balance. A fertilizer high in nitrogen will only encourage me to produce more green stems at the expense of flowers. To support bloom production, you must feed me a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the bottle), such as a 5-10-5 or 10-30-20 blend. Feed me every two to four weeks during my active growth phase, but cease all feeding entirely during my crucial rest period. This specific diet directs my energy towards reproductive growth, not just vegetative growth.
I am not a plant that crazes a massive pot. In fact, I bloom most profusely when I am slightly pot-bound. This is because my roots fill the container, allowing me to efficiently take up water and nutrients, and it creates a slight stress signal that encourages me to reproduce (bloom) rather than expand. Ensure my pot has excellent drainage and that you use a very airy, fast-draining potting mix, often one formulated for orchids or succulents with plenty of bark and perlite. Soggy, compacted soil will cause my roots to rot, and a sick plant cannot bloom.
Once you see the small, knobby flower buds appearing along the edges of my stems, your care must be consistent. Do not move me to a new location, drastically change my temperature, or rotate my pot. Any significant change in my environment at this delicate stage can cause me to abort the buds to conserve energy, as I will perceive it as a threat. Maintain steady, slightly increased watering (never soggy) and protect me from drafts. If you are patient and consistent, I will reward you with the breathtaking blooms we both desire.
