Albert's Greenhouse

You have more exotic blooms than most Bloom Day posts, and a great presentation.

Epiphyllums! I only have the one known as 'night blooming cereus' to we old ladies. They're outside now; I expect blossoms about July.
 

Thanks! I have about a dozen Epiphyllums I grew from cuttings many years ago. They seem to take care of themselves, though they have a hard life outdoors. I also have an Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the "Night Blooming Cereus", which strangely doesn't do as well for me, despite being somewhat pampered.
 

Incredible photos,and plants!Great blog,too.
 

Such intriguing blooms! I especially like Arisaema candissimum.
 

Very beautiful and unusual blooms. I should get more exotic plants like those because I think they are so cool, especially the Musella and the Impatiens niamniamensis. Keep posting and I'll keep looking:)
 

Albert, is that Lisianthus nigrescens flower fully open or does it open more? That's a really interesting flower.
 

As far as I can tell, the L. nigrescens does not open any more. The flower to the left is immature, and the flower to the right seems to be perhaps a little old. I've never seen it open more in between, but I might not be checking at the right time of the day.
 

I believe that I have a Epiphyllum Oxypetallum. I was given a cutting at a local restaurant and was told to let it root in water. It has been about a month and the roots look like they are ready for planting (they are about 3"-4" long). Is there anything specific I should know about before I plant this cutting in dirt.
Should it be placed in a table top planter or a hanging planter?
I have cats, so is it dangerous to them? I was planning on hanging it but want to be sure.
I am not even sure what color it is.
Thanks for your assistance.
 

Hi Tina,

I think most people do not grow the species Epiphyllum oxypetalum in a hanging basket because this one tends to want to grow upwards. If you have a hybrid, however, it may be suitable for a basket. Either way should be fine for a little while, at least.
I have never heard of Epiphyllum being toxic to pets - it's on a list of specifically non-toxic housplants here.
 

Congratulations for your blog. It is very interesting. It is a pleasure enjoy with plants. I'm inlove of hoya plants and can see some ones into your collection.

kisses from Mallorca-Spain.

MANUELA
 

What a great find your blog is! Can you give some photo shots of your greenhouse. Is humidity high there? What zone would it be to tolerate keeping the plants alive. I'm thinking to bring some of these exotics indoors (begonias) and being frugal, like the idea of taking cuttings to propagate.
 

If you click on the "Greenhouse" link to the left, you can find some pix of the greenhouse construction and operation. Currently, I am keeping the minimum temperature at 72F, so it's definitely a tropical environment. Surprisingly, there are plenty of plants which are still not quite warm enough to be 100% happy!
 

Incredible. Nature's colorful artwork will never stop to amaze. It is like they're designed with mathematical precision. Never considered myself religious, but if there's a proof for "Intelligent Design", It is outside, in your garden :-)