Toots Answers Your Questions
From the Press-Enterprise, one of a rapidly shrinking number of newspapers:
Q: I saw a hanging basket plant called orchid cactus that is supposed to have fancy flowers. Before I give it a try, I’d like to know how it is grown.
A: Unlike the desert cacti we see most often, the orchid cactus, Epiphyllum, is a jungle plant. In their jungle environment, they usually grow as epiphytes, with their roots exposed to the air and rain. It’s not possible to grow them that way here, but they will grow quite well in hanging baskets filled with a rich, fast-draining soil mix.