From my perspective, as an orchid cactus (*Epiphyllum* or similar hybrids), I am not a true climber like a vine that seeks and twines around support. In my native jungle habitat, I am an epiphyte. I naturally perch on tree branches, using my aerial roots to anchor myself to the rough bark for stability, not to draw nutrients from the host tree. My long, flat, leaf-like stems (called cladodes) tend to cascade downwards under their own weight, especially when they are mature and heavy with blooms. A trellis provides the artificial structure I need to mimic this natural habit, offering support to grow upwards and outwards, which keeps my stems from breaking and allows for better air circulation and light exposure around my entire form.
You should initiate this process during my active growing season, typically in spring or early summer. At this time, my stems are most pliable and actively producing new growth. This new growth is far more adaptable and easier to guide onto a support structure without causing damage. Attempting to train me in my dormant period is not advisable; my stems are more brittle then and I am conserving my energy, not preparing to expand. Starting when I am naturally inclined to grow makes the entire process smoother and less stressful for me.
This is the most critical step from my point of view. My stems are succulent and can be easily damaged, kinked, or snapped if handled roughly. Do not use wire, string, or anything that can cut into my flesh as I grow and thicken. Instead, use soft and flexible ties. Ideal materials include strips of old nylon stockings, soft plant velcro, or biodegradable jute twine. Create loose loops that secure me to the trellis without constricting me. The tie should hold the stem firmly against the support but must allow for natural swelling and growth. Attach the ties at the sturdy, thicker parts of my stems, not at the delicate, thin segments between them.
Do not force me into a tight or unnatural shape. Gently weave my longer stems through the openings of the trellis, encouraging them to grow horizontally as much as vertically. This horizontal training is key to my flowering potential. In my world, blooms typically form on mature, upright-growing stems that have received adequate light. By training me along a trellis, you are creating a structure that supports many such stems in an organized manner, maximizing the space and light each one receives. As new stems emerge, continue to gently guide and attach them to the support, filling in the framework you have provided.
My training is not a one-time event. As I continue to grow, you must periodically check the ties to ensure they are not becoming too tight and cutting off my circulation. Adjust and loosen them as necessary. When you water me, be mindful of the trellis material; it should be rot-resistant if made of wood, or a material like metal or plastic. Pruning is also a part of this process. You can carefully remove any stems that are dead, damaged, or growing in an undesirable direction that cannot be trained. This directs my energy into the strong, supported stems that will form my beautiful structure and spectacular flowers.
