Question
Orchid cactus
I purchase an orchid cactus this year around may it was in full bloom, now it's leaves have grow out from the tips very long and narrow, do I cut these off or will they widen out. It's been growing like this for about 4 months, some are as long as 2 feet, and still growing. and It is full my plant is touching the ceiling. And when I can I expect it to bloom again. Thank you.
Denise
AnswerHello Denise,
Although it may be called an orchid cactus, it really is not an orchid but belongs to the cactus family. There are quite a few cactus that are called "orchid" cactus because their flowers sort of resemble orchid flowers.
Your photos shows there are many spikes or stems growing which will produce a fantastic show later. Most orchid cactus bloom some time between November to February, mine usually are in bloom in mid December or just before Christmas, not quite sure when yours will be in bloom but hopefully about the same time it was when you bought it.
To get it to set blooms, keep it in total darkness at night for 12 hours from now until mid to late October. You should begin to see buds forming along the stem within a couple of weeks of darkness.
Hope this has helped.
Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.
