Night Queen of Flowers
Plants such a night queen flowers is amazing that fill your home with a sweet aroma that you will notice right away when you wake up.
Throughout this guide, I will provide you with some tips on how to grow this plant successfully. This flower is not difficult to grow, but need special consideration. Let’s get started!
Definition of Night Queen of Flowers
The Night Queen is a dramatic night-blooming cactus. It blooms once a year, only overnight. This is a very extraordinary performance, as expected from plants that consume all reproductive energy in a short amount of time. The flowers are large and fragrant, shining white like a full moon.
The Queen of the Night is a rare type of flower that blooms only one night a year. The flower queen at night in full bloom is a rare sight as it wilts before dawn.
White flowers have a subtle scent like magnolias and gardenia.
Facts of Night Queen of Flowers
● According to the USDA, it is hardy in zones 10 to 11.
● Despite its ability to grow 10 feet tall, this plant is an epiphyte, which means she needs to be close to other plants for support. This means that it grows on different kinds of flowers or plants.
● The night queen belongs to the Cactaceae family, but its growing requirements are more similar to those of a tropical plant.
How to Grow Night Queen Flower
Growing
It is a fast-growing plant in nature. A type of forest cactus found in parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. It has no leaves; the leaves you see from the plant are modified stems to help store water in a drier condition.
Soil Requirements
Because Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a unique cactus, it even needs moist soil. Most grow in humid climates, so the soil cannot be thoroughly dried, or the plants die. This plant prefers slightly acidic soils.
Light Requirements
This is a plant designed to grow in the shade of the forest. This means that you don’t want to get too much direct sunlight, especially during the hottest hours of the afternoon. They still need some sunlight. Otherwise, the flowers will not bloom properly. If your home has good indirect sunlight, this is a great place to grow it. It works optimally at temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Very low temperatures and ventilated areas where drafts can occur should be avoided.
Water Requirments
This plant needs water to live! Do not allow the soil to dry completely. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will not develop. Also, the flowers should be in well-drained soil. That way, the roots will not rot. Depending on the location, the plant should be watered weekly during the summer, especially if the weather is dry and hot.
It’s best to water every two to three weeks during the winter, but it still depends on the location. Another point to note is that they will need more water if the plants are young. On the contrary, if the plants are mature, they do not need much water.
Long shot
As your Night Queen grows, you will notice many long shoots from the plant. These are long stems designed to cling to nearby trees so that they can grow together in the wild. The stem, or dung, has a small root-like structure that helps the plant hold other plants. This allows plants to move through the canopy in search of better light.
Feed the plants
You can start with this liquid plant-based food from Schultz when fertilizing plants. It does the work you need to do, but I have found that making my fertilizer for this plant will make it bloom. After years of using dried banana peels, plants that had never bloomed suddenly began to bloom the following year exotically. Banana peels do not contain nitrogen, so they go well with other fertilizers. You can use a dryer or bake in a low-temperature oven to make dried banana peels.
Flowers Blooming
At night, owners of the queen of plants rarely see their plants bloom more than once. Some people aren’t lucky and have never seen it! This flower has a lovely scent, giving off a sweet scent that everyone pays attention to.
This white flower looks like a spider. It looks very delicate, making it even more interesting considering that it is a cactus. Flowering occurs during the summer rains, as this plant requires ideal climatic conditions to appear in the outside world fully.
Queen of the Night propagation
Breeding of this plant is very easy. You can start a new plant with the Leaf Clipper. The tip needs to be soaked in rooting hormone to help it take root, and the cut should be about 4 to 6 inches long. Let it dry in a cool, dark place for two weeks, then place the plant on the ground and start growing. Do not water 10 days a week while the plants are in the soil.
Pets
This flower tends to have spots on the leaves of the fungus. This tends to occur in the spring when the weather is still cold, and rain is in the immediate vicinity. If there are few spots, try cutting the affected area.
The Queen of Flowers at Night is famous for its magnificent scent. You can experience this plant in full bloom on the best nights. The long shoots of the plant penetrate quickly, so you should try to get a tight pot to control their growth.
I'm an enthusiastic horticulturist with a profound passion for exotic and unique plant species. Over the years, I've cultivated a deep understanding of various flora, and the Night Queen of Flowers, scientifically known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum, is one of my specialties. I've not only studied this intriguing plant extensively but have also successfully grown and nurtured it, observing its unique characteristics firsthand.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
Night Queen of Flowers - Introduction: The Night Queen of Flowers, or Epiphyllum oxypetalum, is a dramatic night-blooming cactus renowned for its extraordinary annual performance. Blooming only overnight, its large, fragrant, moon-like white flowers make it a rare and captivating sight. The plant belongs to the Cactaceae family but shares growing requirements more akin to tropical plants.
Facts of Night Queen of Flowers:
- Hardiness: According to the USDA, it thrives in zones 10 to 11.
- Growth Habits: Despite reaching heights of 10 feet, it's an epiphyte, relying on other plants for support.
- Family and Growing Requirements: Belongs to the Cactaceae family but grows more like a tropical plant.
How to Grow Night Queen Flower:
- Growing Nature: A fast-growing forest cactus native to parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America, with modified stems for water storage.
- Soil Requirements: Requires moist soil due to its origin in humid climates, and the soil should not be allowed to thoroughly dry out.
- Light Requirements: Thrives in shaded conditions, avoiding excessive direct sunlight. Ideal temperatures range between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water Requirements: Needs regular watering to prevent the soil from drying completely, with well-drained soil to avoid root rot.
Long Shot and Feeding:
- Long Shot: Develops long stems that act as roots to cling to nearby trees for support.
- Feeding Plants: Recommends a liquid plant-based food or shares a personal tip of using dried banana peels for fertilizer.
Flowers Blooming:
- Blooming Characteristics: The Night Queen blooms only at night during summer rains, emitting a sweet scent resembling magnolias and gardenias.
Queen of the Night Propagation:
- Propagation: Propagating the Night Queen is relatively easy. A new plant can be started with a 4 to 6-inch leaf clipper, soaked in rooting hormone, and left to dry before planting.
Dealing with Pests:
- Fungal Issues: The plant may develop spots on leaves due to fungus, especially in cold spring weather. Recommends cutting affected areas if spotted.
In conclusion, the Night Queen of Flowers is not just a plant; it's a captivating botanical marvel with specific growing needs and a fascinating blooming pattern that demands attention and care.
