Tree climbing cacti-like plants

[Walt]

About 3-4 years ago a friend gave me some cuttings of these two plants, but he didn't know the botanical names of them.

I planted said cuttings and since then they have grown up the tree/palm trunks, plus are spreading across the ground.

At the time I had the bare cuttings I posted photos of the, I believe at this forum. However, I don't recall the botanical names. I believe they had cerus in the genus word, like ....cerus, but that's all I can recall. If anyone can I.D. these plants for me I plan on noting the names in my copy of The Tropical Look.

Here's one type growing up trunk of Sabal palmetto. This species doesn't fully cling/attach to the trunks as well as the other species. Plus, this is the smaller (diameter) of the two species:

Alternate view of same species:

This is the larger (diameter) of the two species, climbing up the trunk of a scrub oak:

View of the larger species firmly attached to the tree trunk:

[Eric in Orlando]

The first looks to be Selenicereus grandiflorus, Serpent Cactus or Queen of the Night. The 2nd is Hylocereus undatus, Night Blooming Cactus or Night Blooming Cereus (which is also what Cereus peruvianus, now C. hildmannianus is called, but it is a tall columnar cactus, not a climber.)

[Gbarce]

Could it be Dragon Fruit??

untitled.bmp

[Walt]

The first looks to be Selenicereus grandiflorus, Serpent Cactus or Queen of the Night. The 2nd is Hylocereus undatus, Night Blooming Cactus or Night Blooming Cereus (which is also what Cereus peruvianus, now C. hildmannianus is called, but it is a tall columnar cactus, not a climber.)

I googled S. grandiflorus and I agree that is what I have in my first two photos. Mine get blooms just like the one at link below.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SEGR10

However, I don't think I have H. undatus (3rd & 4th photos). I googled that and it said that was dragonfruit cactus. I have a dragonfruit cactus and it's definitely different.

http://hylocereusundatus.foodlywise.com/

Thus far that particular cacti has never set blooms. I have what my wife calls night blooming cerus and it grows out of control on the ground, and the body of the plant is mostly flat with uneven edges.

[Walt]

Could it be Dragon Fruit??

No, it's non dragon fruit. I just bought one and only planted it at the base of a tree about three weeks ago. It's slightly larger in size and a more glossy and brighter green color. I look forward to my dragon fruit climbing the tree trunk.

[Walt]

My Selenicerus grandiflorus (Moonlight Cactus) started blooming about a week ago. I took the below photos around 10 P.M. yesterday (June 11, 2009).

[8er-moni]

Hi Walt - lovely fotos

I think, I have to wait very long for such beautful bossoms --- I got the cuttings last week from California - one has a bud, but I am not shure, that is will work

Selenicereus macdonaldiae

S."noname", S. grandiflora und Selenicereus hamatus

[Walt]

Hi Walt - lovely fotos

I think, I have to wait very long for such beautful bossoms --- I got the cuttings last week from California - one has a bud, but I am not shure, that is will work

Selenicereus macdonaldiae

S."noname", S. grandiflora und Selenicereus hamatus

Hello. Good luck. Yes, it should be long time until you get flowers. I also assume you will have to grow yours indoors, as these plants don't like temperatures below 0C.

[8er-moni]

Hi Walt,

yes, of course, in winter they have to grow (or sleep ) indoors, but I am happy, although!

First of all I hope, they get new roots *pray*

[Walt]

Hi Walt,

yes, of course, in winter they have to grow (or sleep ) indoors, but I am happy, although!

First of all I hope, they get new roots *pray*

I had no problem rooting my cuttings. In fact, I just stuck the ends in the dirt next to my trees and they rooted. Before long they started to climb the tree trunks. Now they are growing in every direction across the ground! Once they come to another tree/palm, they will probably start climbing their trunks.

[Fouquieria]

I posted these pics on here a couple of years ago my Selenicerus donkelaari hasn't bloomed since then...although it's grown a little.

I have some other Selenicereus besides this one but this one is the only one that has bloomed so far.

Selenicereus donkelaari:

[Walt]

I posted these pics on here a couple of years ago my Selenicerus donkelaari hasn't bloomed since then...although it's grown a little.

I have some other Selenicereus besides this one but this one is the only one that has bloomed so far.

Selenicereus donkelaari:

I think my S. grandiflorus only started to make flowers a year, maybe two ago. However, I have another S. grandiflorus growing on up an oak tree, planted at the same time as the one in my photos, and it has never produced any flowers. Both plants were started from the same cuttings, so I don't know what factor(s) are at play that causes the differences in blooming/non-blooming of the two plants in question.

[8er-moni]

Hi Ron,

what a beautiful blossom! Thnak you for showing it!

@ Walt: Till now I put the cuttings in the earth/sand as you said, but the "mother of my new cuttings" (living in California) told me, to put them - as above showed - with the aerial roots (if they have) in the pot!?

I hope it will work too

[Kris]

Lovely topic and beautiful visuals ! And thanks for the big sized stills

Thanks & Love,

Kris

[ron@springhammock]

I have S. grandiflorus bloom'n for years but all I ever see are the deflated blooms. I try and make a mental note to check them out at night, but always end up snoozing instead.