Queen of the night cactus

Selenicereus grandiflorus is an impressive cacti that requires little care. The funnel-shaped flowers can reach a length of up to 30 centimeters, but the flowering period is short-lived. Shortly before dusk, older specimens of the "Queen of the Night" open their flowers, but only a few hours later they wither again. This event takes place only once a year and fascinates hobby gardeners and visitors to botanical gardens alike.

location and substrate

The relatively undemanding beauty can hardly cope with a location in full sun, but the planting location should not be too dark either. Treat the "Queen of the Night" to a bright spot with a few hours of sunshine a day. Like all cactus species, Selenicereus grandiflorus prefers high humidity and temperatures, which should be between 24 - 28°C. As soon as the temperatures outside permanently rise above 20°C, you can move the exotic plant into the garden in the summer months. When choosing a location, you should also take into account that the plant will develop meter-long, snake-like shoots if you take good care of it. The Queen of the Night is widespread growing wild in Mexico, Florida and also in some parts of the Caribbean. In its original home, the plant grows like a liana along trees and rocky ground. However, the plant does not parasitically withdraw nutrients and water from the living trellis. Rather, the aerial roots of Selenicereus grandiflorus take up this deposited segment in cracks and cavities. In the bucket you can promote the absorption of minerals by giving the plant a humus-rich and permeable substrate. The pH value should not fall below or exceed 6.

watering and fertilizing

It is a common misconception that all cacti species tolerate direct sunlight and prolonged drought. In order to encourage the queen of the night to flower for a short time, the soil must never dry out completely. Regular moisture control is particularly important for plants planted in tubs. Do the finger test: If the top layer of substrate feels dry and crumbly, it needs to be refilled. You should water regularly between March and September, but avoid waterlogging.

plants and repotting

Every 3 to 4 years - or when the planter is fully rooted - the Queen of the Night needs to be repotted. Shorter time intervals are not recommended, because the plant needs strong roots to develop the flower.

• Choose a sufficiently large container.
• A drainage made of porous material is laid at the bottom.
• Completely remove the old substrate from the roots.
• Move the cactus.
• Fill cavities with humus-rich substrate.
• Water vigorously.

The beauty's fleshy shoots are covered with thorns, so wear thick gloves for your own protection. Selenicereus grandiflorus is also suitable for hydroponic cultivation. The water level indicator of the special plant pot is advantageous. Thanks to a water level indicator, you know exactly when it needs to be refilled. However, switching from soil to hydroponics is not recommended. Because the substrate must be completely removed from the plant roots to avoid rotting. Buy hydroponic cacti directly or use cuttings from your own plant.

The meter-long, meandering shoots of the exotic cacti can quickly become a problem, especially in tight spaces. The short-lived flowers appear at their ends. To tame the tendrils to some extent, you can support them on a trellis or let them grow decoratively along the walls of the room.

multiply

The Queen of the Night can be propagated by seeds and shoots. Egg-shaped to spherical infructescences form immediately after flowering, in which the seeds ripen.

• Choose a shallow seed tray.
• Use lean substrate or coir.
• The location must be bright but not in full sun.
• High humidity and temperatures around 26°C promote germination.
• Keep the soil evenly moist.

To maintain constant humidity, you can wrap the entire planter in transparent, slightly perforated foil. You can prevent mold from forming on the substrate surface by removing the foil for a few hours a day. All types of cacti belong to the light germs. If the seeds are planted too deep in the ground, the probability of germination decreases. The root formation of individual plant parts is also possible with almost all cacti without any problems. Use broken or cut shoots with a minimum length of 12 centimeters and let the interface dry sufficiently. After about 2 weeks you can put the plant parts in humus-rich substrate. It is important to ensure that the location is not exposed to direct sunlight. Here, too, you should ensure high humidity and temperatures of around 24°C. This speeds up root formation.

Cut

You can largely do without a classic pruning or topiary with cacti. However, you can generously shorten the shoots, which can grow up to 5 meters long, with a sharp knife. However, keep in mind that the flower buds form at the end of these. The flowering can therefore be less in the case of a cut in the following year.

hibernate

The frequently asked question: "Why isn't my Queen of the Night blooming?", can be answered quickly: The plant was overwintered incorrectly. Selenicereus grandiflorus needs cool temperatures in order to develop the entertaining flowers in the following year. Even if the flowers, which are about 30 centimeters long, only bloom for a few hours once a year, it is always an impressive experience.

• The quarters for the cold season should be bright and cool.
• The temperature should be between 10° and 15°C.
• Even in winter, the plant must not be exposed to direct sunlight.
• Water moderately, the root ball must not dry out.
• Do not fertilize in winter.
• Do not expose the cacti to drafts.

Diseases

Mealybugs and mealybugs don't even stop at exotic plants. Even the extremely robust and easy-care queen of the night is not immune to these harmful insects from time to time. However, with a few tips, you can take effective countermeasures:

• Apply a mixture of soft soap and water over the insects.
• A diluted stinging nettle decoction has also proven its worth.
• Use lacewings.

A far more common problem is the occurrence of root rot. This is caused by sac fungi, which settle on the plant roots when it is wet. As the process progresses, the fungi slowly decompose the cacti. A musty smell and a troubled appearance are relatively late signs of the disease. There are no fungicides or home remedies for root rot. Prevent by watering the plant regularly, but moderately.

Conclusion

The "Queen of the Night" is a special cactus due to its unique blooms, which is particularly popular with lovers of exotic plants. Even if the plant itself is relatively undemanding, you should not underestimate the enormous space requirement of Selenicereus grandiflorus. The meandering shoots can reach a length of up to 5 centimeters. Tying up or cutting off is often the only way to tame these parts of the plant.

Learn more about succulents