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Disocactus crenatus, the crenate orchid cactus, is a fast-growing epiphytic cactus from Mexico to Panama, grown for its large flowers and as a parent of many epiphyllum hybrids. It needs humus-rich compost, steady summer moisture, and protection from cold.
Disocactus crenatus, commonly known as the crenate orchid cactus, is a species of cactus cultivated for its large flowers. It is a critical parent plant in creating epiphyllum hybrids commonly cultivated worldwide.
This species was shown at an exhibition at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden in 1844, and won the highest medal for a new introduction. It had been collected in Honduras five years earlier by Georges Ule Skinner and sent to Sir Charles Lemon who flowered it for the first time in 1843. John Lindley thought it to have originated in the island of Antigua. D. crenatus is the only species of Disocactus that has been used in hybridization to any extent. Most of the colored hybrids have mainly Disocactus genes and are perhaps better referred to as Disocactus hybrids rather than epiphyllum hybrids.
It is an easily cultivated, fast-growing epiphyte. It needs compost containing plenty of humus and sufficient moisture in summer. Should not be kept under 12 °C (53.5 °F) in winter. Can be grown in semi-shade or full sun. Extra light in the early spring will stimulate budding. Flowers in late spring or early summer.
The natural range of Disocactus crenatus spans from Mexico, specifically encompassing Oaxaca and Chiapas, down to Honduras and Panama. It thrives as an epiphytic species, exhibiting a propensity to grow upon other plants, or alternatively, as a lithophytic entity, establishing itself on rocky surfaces. Flourishing within moist or damp forest settings, it occasionally takes root within oak forests. Its elevation typically ranges between 1,330 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
Disocactus ackermannii · Fishbone Cactus · Cactus · Sun Cereus
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Disocactus crenatus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
