How to grow Queen of the Night and its care
Queen of the Night is a stunning and unique plant native to Central and South America that belongs to the cactus family (family Cactaceae). Its large, fragrant white flowers bloom at night as well as during the day, making it a popular choice for nocturnal gardens. In this article we will look at how to grow Queen of the Night, its care and how to propagate
How to grow Queen of the Night
Floor
Queen of the Night grows well if provided with the right type of soil. This plant needs well-drained, airy soil that can retain moisture and is slightly acidic, with a pH of approximately 5.5 to 6.5.
Avoid clay soils at all costs. Apart from the above requirements, you can improve the soil by adding peat moss, perlite and a mixture of orchid bark.
You can also opt for sandy soil, in this case mix equal parts garden soil and river sand or construction sand (it should not contain salt).
Light
Like most plants, the Queen of the Night cactus needs light to grow. Direct sunlight in the morning is essential for flowering, although after midday it should be kept in indirect light.
This plant needs at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight, and if grown indoors, a window that receives good sunlight for at least six hours is ideal. But by all means, don’t place it where the sun shines directly, put it a little further back so that it receives light but not direct sun.
If you choose to grow Queen of the Night outdoors, you should place it in dappled shade where it can receive plenty of morning sun and shade after midday, especially in summer, and in winter it should receive as much sun as possible.
Water
Although the Queen of the Night may look delicate, it is a hardy plant that tolerates periods of drought and does not need frequent watering.
During its active growing season, always keep an eye on the top two inches of soil, waiting for it to dry out before watering it thoroughly. When potted, you’ll need to water slowly, waiting for the water to run out the bottom and pouring off the excess from the tray to prevent water buildup.
Water two to three times a week during the growing season in spring and summer. Water less during fall and winter. Choose rainwater or distilled water instead of tap water, as it contains mineral salts that can help compact the soil, which the plant does not tolerate.
Temperature and humidity
This plant is distributed in semi-desert, tropical and subtropical regions with intense sunlight, low rainfall and warm temperatures.
The ideal temperature for the growth of this plant is 20 – 35 degrees Celsius. A temperature below 10ºC or above 35ºC slows down the growth of the plant and sets it into dormancy. Make sure to avoid placing it in ventilated areas where there are cold air currents.
Queen of the Night thrives best in normal humidity levels in most homes. If your home’s humidity is between 40-50%, you can grow it indoors.
If you’re growing Queen of the Night in a very dry climate, consider placing it on a pebble tray filled with water to increase humidity levels. You can also mist the plant regularly to provide additional humidity.
This is especially recommended if the air in your home is too dry, but humidity is not a common problem when growing Queen of the Night.
Pass
Fertilization is essential to ensure flowering. Fertilize once a month during the active growing season.
Use phosphate-potassium fertilizer before and after flowering and nitrogen fertilizer during sowing. The concentration of the fertilizer should always be as low as possible. It would be best to apply a low-concentration fertilizer several times rather than using a high-concentration fertilizer.
If the base grows slowly and is yellow, it may be a sign of too much fertilizer, and fertilization should be stopped immediately.
Pruning
This plant requires only a little pruning. Removing white flowers and branches will encourage healthy growth. You can prune it annually after the plant flowers. Remove any yellow leaves, dead flowers or dead stems.
When pruning, use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. You can also propagate the plant by taking stem cuttings and rooting them in water or soil.
How to propagate Queen of the night
If you want to grow Queen of the Night from scratch, propagation by cuttings is a simple and effective method. The main method of propagation is division. Here’s how to create new plants:
Step 1: Cut the stem
The first step to propagating your Queen of the Night plant is to cut a stem from the mother plant. Choose a stem that is between 10-15 cm long and has no flowers or buds.
It is important to use sharp, clean pruning shears to make the cut. This will ensure that the stem is not damaged and has the best chance of developing roots.
Step 2: Preparing the cutting
Once the stem has been cut, it is time to prepare it for planting. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem. This will prevent rot or fungus from appearing.
Next, dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone. This will encourage rooting of the stem once planted, but is optional. Place it in a cool, shady spot for a couple of days to allow callus to form on the cut.
Step 3: Plant the cutting
Once the cutting is ready, it’s time to plant it in a pot. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the stem and fill it with a well-draining potting soil for cacti or succulents.
Make a hole in the substrate and carefully place the stem in. Press the substrate firmly around the stem to ensure it is secure.
Step 4: Caring for the cutting
Once the cutting has been planted, it is important to take good care of it. Water it sparingly, as excess water can cause the stem to rot. Do not water it for the next two weeks until it has established itself.
Keep the cutting in a shady, warm and humid area as this will encourage root development. You can cover the cutting with a plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse and help maintain humidity levels. Once it has established, continue to care for it regularly.
How to plant or transplant Queen of the night
It is important to repot the plant only when it has outgrown its current pot. Repotting too often can damage it, so it is best to wait until it is really necessary.
When you decide to repot your Queen of the Night, it’s important to choose the right type of container. A pot that drains well and has plenty of drainage holes is essential to prevent root rot. You should also choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one, so that the plant has room to grow.
Before repotting, it is important to water it thoroughly. This will help loosen the roots and make the work easier.
Carefully remove the plant from its current pot and gently loosen the roots. Place it in the new pot and fill in any gaps with cactus or succulent mix, making sure it is firm.
After transplanting, it is important to give the plant time to adapt to its new surroundings. Water sparingly for the first few weeks and avoid fertilizing until the plant has settled in.
Common pests and diseases of the Queen of the Night
Although it is not usually attacked by pests, it is important to know the potential risks and diseases that can affect the plant.
Mealybugs and spider mites are two common pests that can harm Queen of the Night. These pests can cause the plant to wilt and the leaves to curl, which can be detrimental to the plant’s health and appearance.
To prevent these pests from attacking your plant, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and periodically inspect the plant for any signs of infestation.
In addition to pests, several diseases can also affect Epiphyllum oxypetalum. Anthracnose, powdery mildew and stem rot are three common diseases that can affect health and growth.
To prevent these diseases, it is important to practice good care habits, applying proper irrigation techniques and regular fertilization.
Common problems of the Queen of the Night
Absence of flowering
Your plant’s nitrogen levels must be adequate to ensure that your plant flowers, as too much of this mineral causes less flowering. Direct sunlight can also affect the flowering of this plant.
Wilting
Check the soil. Coarse textures allow water to drain quickly, preventing the plant from absorbing enough. If the soil and roots seem dry, you can add sphagnum moss or another water-retaining medium and water according to the recommendations mentioned above.
Yellow sheets
Natural aging can cause plant leaves to turn yellow and even dry out; if this is the case, there is nothing you can do to stop the process. A nutrient deficiency can also cause yellow leaves; luckily, there are several ways to treat nutrient deficiencies.
You can use a water-soluble fertilizer, which includes most macro and micronutrients. Apply organic fertilizer pellets, such as animal manure and bone meal. Or add nutrient-rich compost.