Epiphyllum ‘Frühlingsgold’

Cultivated origin of Epiphyllum ‘Frühlingsgold’

German breeder Kurt Petersen introduced ‘Frühlingsgold’ in 1990 after crossing Epiphyllum ‘Reward’ with Disocactus macranthus.

Petersen’s Frühlings series is known for hanging growth, narrow-petalled flowers, fragrance and generous flowering. ‘Frühlingsgold’ is the yellow-flowered cultivar in the series.

Care for Epiphyllum ‘Frühlingsgold’

• Light: Give bright filtered light or light shade. Gentle morning or evening sun is suitable; screen the plant from strong midday rays.
• Temperature and rest: Keep it warm during stem growth. During the cooler rest period, aim for around 15°C.
• Watering: When the mix has partly dried, water thoroughly and let the excess drain. As growth slows, wait longer between waterings and keep the root ball lightly moist.
• Humidity and air: Moderate humidity suits this hybrid. Keep air moving around the hanging stems, especially in warm rooms.
• Substrate: Use a loose cactus mix with coarse bark or another chunky material plus grit or pumice. The mix should hold a little moisture and drain quickly.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a fertiliser suitable for epiphytic cacti while new stems or buds are developing, following the label rate. Pause during the cooler rest period and resume feeding when growth starts again.
• Pot and repotting: Let the roots fill the pot before moving up a size. Repot when drainage slows, the old mix compacts, the plant becomes unstable or the roots are packed very tightly. If possible, repot after flowering and choose the next pot one size larger.
• Propagation: Take healthy stem cuttings and leave the cut ends to dry for several days. Root them in an airy, lightly moist mix.

Common problems with Epiphyllum ‘Frühlingsgold’

• Yellow or bleached patches on exposed stems: Strong direct sun is the usual cause. Move the plant into brighter filtered light and protect it from intense midday rays.
• Long stems keep growing but flowering stays sparse: Very low light or an oversized pot can delay flowering. Improve the light level and keep the current pot until the roots have filled it well.
• Flowers look pale yellow after a cold rest: Low temperatures during the rest period can affect yellow-flowered orchid-cactus hybrids. Aim for around 15°C during the next rest.
• Soft, dark tissue at the stem base: Prolonged wetness in a cool or dense mix can trigger rot. Take the plant out of the pot and trim away every soft or discoloured area until firm, healthy tissue remains. Use a clean blade, throw away the damaged material, let the healthy cut ends dry, then root them in a fresh, airy mix.
• White cottony clusters along stem edges or joints: Mealybugs may be present. Keep the plant away from other plants, wipe off visible pests, then choose a treatment labelled for mealybugs. Follow the label directions, including any stated follow-up treatment.

Keep Epiphyllum ‘Frühlingsgold’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Who first published Epiphyllum, and what does the name mean?

Epiphyllum combines Greek epi, meaning upon, with phyllon, meaning leaf.

Adrian Hardy Haworth established the genus Epiphyllum in 1812 in Synopsis Plantarum Succulentarum, page 197.