Two Plus Three

Acquired Irette and Venetian Affair. My interest in how the flowers will turn out once mature enough was piqued. It might be a while before these will be of blooming age, considering they are still youthful, but it'll be worth the wait, I'm sure.

After helping out at Epi House at the Safari Park, the president of the SD Epiphyllum Society thanked me with cuttings from Tiny Flame and Orange Icing. As for the Louisa Irwin cutting, it was given to me for free. I love the rooting process. It takes a while and sure some cuttings fail and that's disappointing, but it's when they show signs of life and growth that makes it all worth the while.

Additional Four

Above is Seven Seas and Star Flight. If you haven't noticed I have the tendency to acquire epiphyllums based on the names. I was thinking "Sea and Stars" for this pair.

Paradise and Shangri-La were the other two I, the first I intended to get, the second was given to me for free. The winter has been bitter so far, and I haven't officially set up a way to protect the epiphyllums from the harsh cold yet. Unfortunately, parts of my collection is struggling against the low temperatures. On the other hand, the majority of them are doing rather well.

November Acquisitions

At the November SDES Meeting, I ended up winning three cuttings through a Silent Auction and the others from the monthly raffle. Some of these cuttings were divided into smaller cuttings since they were originally suprisingly big and long. From left to right, the cuttings are Beautiful Isle, Mango Tango, Misty Rose, White Wings, Emanuel, Tele, and Oran Cha Cha. Since it's been getting colder and colder outside, I'll be keeping these inside the house, as they go through the rooting process. Once night time temperatures elevate to be warmer, I'll have these brought out to join the rest of my collection.

The Couple, Glow Buddies, and Dreamers

Over a span of three weeks, I attained at least seven additional epiphyllums to add to my collection. All of them were purchased from others via eBay, but I'm sure in my care, they'll grow healthier and stronger than ever.

Although I started rooting some Falling In Love cuttings that I got in August, I couldn't help but get and repot one that had already rooted for a few seasons now. On the right, I also got and repotted You're the One. Side by side, I named Falling in Love and You're the One... The Couple.

It wasn't my intention but I realized I had attained and repotted Glow Buddies - Glow Bug and Golden Glow. Of course, they don't glow, but it sure does illuminate the name itself with it's own appeal. Finally, I named these three... Dreamers, with its dash of imagination, touch of royalty, and sense of appeal. From left to right, they are Fantasy Dragon, King of Siam, and Ambrosia. These three, in particular aren't exactly in great condition right now but by next year, I'll turn it all around and have these better than ever.

Safari Pair

While taking my cousin to the Safari Park, I couldn't resist the urge to buy and repot these two from the Plant Trader - Impressionario and Veneta. No doubt, they'll be a wonderful addition to my epi collection.

Euro Trio, Kiwi Set, and Matt's Batch

My Euro Trio - French Gold, London Delight, and German Empress. Considering each pot has three cuttings of each, I hope these root and grow extremely well as the months pass.

I visited Matt over the weekend at his new nursery location up in Fallbrook. He took me on a tour around his place, which he was still setting up at the time, and he generously gave me the above eight cuttings. The Kiwi set includes Kiwi Crusader, Kiwi Party Dress, Kiwi Filmstar, and Kiwi Dress Rehearsal. The others, which I call Matt's Batch, includes Lily Dache, Impossible Dream, Wedding Bells, and San Clemente Sunset.

I'm eager to see all of these once they are of blooming age. Although it's going to be a long wait, it will no doubt be worth the while.

The Epi House

Until I set up an official shade structure with a stamped concrete foundation, I'm temporarily housing my epiphyllums underneath a modified square gazebo. I relocated six cuttings and the four recently obtained plants into my little epi house. Little by little, I plan to move the remaining cuttings that I've been rooting, outside as well.

Four More

I purchased Blushing Angel from the September 2011 SDES Meeting and repotted it today with new soil mix. It has a few ants from the care of its previous owner, unfortunately, but hopefully I can get rid of them over time. Aside from a few subtle knicks, it's a healthy plant and I look forward to seeing it grow even better under my care.

I also repotted three rooted epiphyllum cuttings that I purchased from my favorite eBay seller. From left to right, they are Melt Down, Real Delight, and Three Oranges. I was very fortunate to receive them in extremely healthy condition with impressively well-developed stems.

Awesome Threesome

I bought three sets of new cuttings (Crystal Flash, David's Golden Splendor, and Falling In Love) to test out rooting in 8" pots when in possession of multiple cuttings of the same kind. I also modified my soil mix recipe. There are as many soil mix recipes as there are growers; I am happy to call this mix my own.

Repotted Golden Jubilee

I removed one of the stems of my Golden Jubilee epiphyllum, repotted it with the experimental soil mix recipe, and added it to the family of 8" pots. It looks like it's in its rightful place, standing strong and proud. It makes me smile.

14 Experimental Cuttings

I bought 14 different epiphyllum cuttings from an eBay seller to experiment with a soil mix recipe that I put together out of research from various sources. Unfortunately, some of the cuttings turned out to be small and baby-ish. Hopefully, they still root and mature healthy and strong over the months. The type of cuttings are as follows: Star of Persia, Raspberry Ribbons x Jennifer Ann, Pink Cup, Welcome, Glamour, Mary Betty, Peach Magic, Tropic Incense, Chi Chi Castenago, King Midas, Atlantis, Grace Ann, Mystic Magic, and Aztec Treasure.

Acquisitions from My First SDES Meeting

I attended my first San Diego Epiphyllum Society meeting two nights ago and I ended up winning six different cuttings (Sam, New Horizon, Red Willow, Pegasus, Exuberant, and Bayou Belle) from the raffle, mostly thanks to a dude that was kind enough to give me four of his winning raffle tickets. I potted them today to initiate rooting.

I also got a free rooted cutting, Golden Jubilee. Although one of the stems look beaten up, the other stem is healthy.

Give these additions to my epiphyllum collection a few months and they'll surely be healthier than ever.

Three New Rooted Cuttings

Having fallen in love with the blooms of two of five of my potted epiphyllums, I potted three new ones and added them to my collection last night. From left to right in the front row of this picture, they are Cerenia A. Markey, Pierrete, and Dragon Heart. They will be smaller blooms, but they have amazing combination of colors. Of my old five, the ones that have yet to bloom are Blushing Star, Coral Dance, and Montecito. Hopefully I'll get to see them bloom next year in the Spring. I sheltered underneath the cover of the Gazebo I assembled with my dad last night.

Calisto

Another epiphyllum of mine bloomed, bought as a rooted cutting about a year ago. Its bloom was XL in size with white inner petals and yellow outer petals.

Vista Sun

The first epiphyllum of mine to bloom. I bought it last year as a rooted cutting and was overjoyed to see it bloom healthily with some fragrance. Its bloom was XL in size with yellow inner petals and slightly amber outer petals.