San Diego Epiphyllum Society
A community of epi growers who encourage the study of epies and the interchange of ideas on growing, displaying, and collecting epies and its related species.
Who WE ARE
Welcome to the San Diego Epiphyllum Society (SDES) Web page.
SDES has been serving the community of epiphyllum gardeners for over 50 years.
We are located in San Diego county. However we are composed of an international group of hobbyists who enjoy growing and helping others grow what is commonly known as epiphyllums (epies or epi hybrids).
We gather together to share our love and knowledge cultivating epies. Like more information? Email us
Some things we sponsor or participate in annually
We participate in local Garden shows
We actively support numerous San Diego area garden shows.
during these shows we sell plants and cutting. Besides providing information on epis to fellow gardeners.
Sponsor a Mother's Day Epiphyllum Hybrid (epi) Flower show in Balboa Park
One of the largest epiphyllum hybrid (epi) flower shows in the country. The Mother's Day show offers an opportunity for people to strolls through epi flower displays viewing a large variety of epi blooms. Epis blooms come in a variety of colors with sizes ranging from less than 2" to over 9" in width of their blooms.
Sponsor an epiphyllum hybrid plan and cutting sale on Mother's Day weekend followed by an online internet sale.
Balboa Park sale is conducted from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. Sale contains a wonderful variety of epiphyllums cutting and potted plants. Potted plants range from 4” to 1gal and once in a while even larger.
What we Do
Covid-19 temporary crimp in our style but with Casa de Prado opening again we are fully back.
We meet at the Casa de Prado every second Wednesday of the month except in December when we have our Holiday Banquet.
The business meetings start at 7:30 p.m. They start with reports on the San Diego Epiphyllum Society's status and what SDES has accomplished in the past month. This takes about 15 minutes and is followed by a presentation on a subject that is considered interesting to our members and guests. Past subjects have included photography of plants, gardening, hybridizing, and local San Diego horticultural history.
Visitors are always welcome at our meetings. First-time guests receive a 4-inch potted epi hybrid.
The meeting concludes with a raffle of epiphyllum hybrid cuttings, which is a great way to expand your collection.
The Society continues to help maintain the San Diego Safari Park's Epiphyllum Trail display, one of the world's largest public displays of Epiphyllums.
What are epi Hybrids
Epi hybrids have been created by hybridizing epiphytic cactus species such as Disocactus and Selenicereus. There are day-blooming and night-blooming species, and most of the night-blooming species have white flowers.
Epi hybrids are the gems of the cactus world producing utterly stunning blooms.
Choosing a single epi hybrid is difficult! Most of us have several of them and the longer you are around them the more you seem to collect.
Epi hybrid blooms are single-colored or multi-colored. Standard colors are purples, pinks, oranges, reds, yellows, and whites or a combination.
Epi hybrids can be grown in small or large containers, as hanging plants, or on benches. If placed on the ground, put something under them that allows the drain holes to work correctly.
The plants do not like direct sun and require filtered light. This is most easily accomplished by hanging or placing them on shelves under patio covers, in trees, under shade cloth, or in a lathe house.
Epiphyllum plants are new world plants that usually inhabit coastal rainforests. Which means they like to be moist but not wet. They do best in temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They will tolerate lower and higher temperatures if cared for properly. They will even tolerate low temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s for a short period. However, you are stressing them severely, and it is best not to expose them to freezing temperatures.
other epiphytic Cacti
This website focuses on epiphyllum hybrids. Realizing the extensive interest of our members and others, we provide links when they are deemed to contain valuable information for our members.
The Cacti Guide is a comprehensive resource that aims to provide a catalog of the different species, including detailed photos to assist in identifying a particular species where possible. It's a valuable tool that will keep you informed and knowledgeable about the diverse world of cacti.
Message from our president
David Cheever
Thank you for checking out our website. We aim to make it a treasure trove of information for members and non-members. Membership is less than a quick stop at a fast-food location and provides invaluable information, enriching your knowledge and skills in growing and caring for plants.
While we share basic information on growing and caring for epiphyllum hybrids in the main sections of our website, our members-only area is a real treasure trove. You'll find an exclusive Bloom Catalog with photographs of over 2000 epi hybrids here.
We extend a warm invitation to you to attend our meetings, which are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month except December at the Casa del Prado. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing our passion for epiphyllums!
If you have any questions, please email me. Click here to for meeting directions.
Membership
Advantages of Membership
You don’t have to be in San Diego to be a part of SDES. While most of SDES members are in Southern California, the society has members all over the world. Membership opens the door more detailed information on growing epis allowing you to expand your knowledge and enjoyment of these truly unique plants.
Some Membership Benefits:
All members
- Receive the monthly newsletter “EpiNews”. The Newsletter features photographs of epiphyllum blooms, articles of interest to epiphyllum and related epiphytic cacti gardeners, gardening tips, book reviews, upcoming Society events, and much more.
- You must have access to the "Members Only" area of the SDES website. This area contains both current-month and previous-month newsletters and other material of interest to epiphyllum gardeners.
- Receive discounts to some society-sponsored events, such as the Photo Caravan, the Holiday Installation Banquet, and the Plant and Cutting Sales.
- During our Mother's Day sale, we accept requests for cuttings from members who cannot attend the event.
Local Members
- Have access to our lending library, where they can check out various interesting books and magazines.
Membership Pricing & Store
Yearly Single Membership
$
15.00
Single membership offers discounts for the member.
Those discounts to not apply to a non-member spouse (therefore this is not recommended if you have a spouse)
Yearly Dual Membership
$
20.00
If you are part of a couple this is the best deal.
Some events are subsidized by SDES but that subsidy only applies to actual members.
Purchase Members Name Badge
Often epiphyllum organizations often use name badges as a membership card. We do not.
However having one will often allow you entrance at other society's events at their members cost.
Magnetic Back
$13.00
Safety Pin Back
$11.00
Several photographers have allowed their photographs to be used on this website. Our thanks go out to; Gilbert & Gail Hatfield, Svante Lundqvist, Don Crain, Jerry Moreau, Roger Chapin, Galen Pittman, Marie Elmquist, Jim Nones, Frank Supplie, Douglas Hillman, Chuck Everson, Linda Sinkovic, Eddie Huey, Janice Wakefield, Patricia Neal, Gerry and Mildred Mikas, Jeffery Hindershot, ESA and others for helping make this site what it is.
