San Diego
Epiphyllum Society
"Epiphyllums are what other flowers aspire to be."
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).
Epies are often referred to as orchid cacti because of their beauty.
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
There are numerous San Diego area garden shows which we actively support.
Besides selling plants and cutting we are there to provide information on epis to fellow gardeners as well as to promote SDES.
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 an epi flower displays viewing a variety of epi blooms 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.
A few weeks later we conduct an online sale of epi cuttings and 4" potted plants.
What we Do
Covid-19 has put a temporary crimp in our style.
Prior to COVID-19 we held monthly business meetings at 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month except for the month of December when we held our Holiday Dinner.
At 7:00pm just before the start of our monthly business meetings, we had a workshop providing information on the growing and maintaining of epi hybrids.
Visitors are always welcome for either or both of these events.
Our Business meeting included about 10 minutes of business and then a presentation on a subject deemed of interest to our members. Subjects of these presentations have included photography of plants, gardening, hybridizing, etc.
Until the Casa Del Prado reopens we will be holding ZOOM meetings at the same dates and times as we held in person meetings but sadly the workshops will not be held on ZOOM.
We continue to help maintain the San Diego Safari Park 'Epiphyllum Trail' display. It is one of the largest public displays of epiphyllums in the world.
What are epi Hybrids
Epi hybrids have been created through the hybridization of epiphytic cactus species such as Disocactus and Selenicereus. There are both day blooming and night blooming species. Most of the night blooming species have white flowers.
Epi hybrids are truly the gems of the cactus world producing utterly stunning blooms.
Choosing a single epi hybrid is difficult! Most of us have a number of them and the longer you are around them the more you seem to collect.
Epi hybrid blooms are single colored or multi colored. Common 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 in pots on the ground. The plants do not like direct sun and require filtered light. Which 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 normally inhabiting costal rain forest. 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 20’s to low 30’s for a short period of time. However you are stressing them severely and it is best not to expose them to any freezing temperatures.
other epiphytic Cacti
Epiphyllum hybrids are the focus of this website. Realizing there is extensive interest amount our members and others we provide links when they are deemed to contain valuable information to our members.
Cacti Guide - Endeavors to provide a catalog of the different species including detailed photos to assist in identification of a particular species where possible.
Message from our president
Gretchen Ward
My family has been growing epies since I was a kid growing up here in San Diego. I remember when my mother bought her first epiphyllum hybrids and a Epiphyllum oxypetalum from a local nursery and I remember how fun it was to see them bloom. From my mom I developed a love of all things garden related.
I met folks from the San Diego Epiphyllum Society (SDES) at one of the Del Mar Home Shows and became excited to attend a Mother’s Day flower show and sale and I joined up at that show. I count myself lucky to have found a wonderful group of epiphyllum enthusiasts.
For SDES, 2020 was a challenging year where we learned to Zoom, hold an online epiphyllum sale, and conduct a photo contest via our web site. This coming year we’ll probably continue with more of the same until we can once again gather together in Balboa Park for our monthly meetings.
Here’s hoping 2021 will bring you lots of joy and lots of blooming epies. Be well and be safe.
If you have any questions please email me.
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 epiphyllums and related epiphytic cacti gardeners, gardening tips, book reviews, upcoming Society events, and much more.
- Have access to the "Members Only" area of the SDES website. This area of the website contains both current month and previous months newsletters and other material of interest to epiphyllum gardeners.
- Receive discounts to some Society sponsored events such as: Photo Caravan, Holiday Installation Banquet, Plant and cutting sales, etc.
- Receive discounts at our yearly cutting and plant sales. They are normally held Spring through fall at different locations.
- During our Mother's Day sale time we accept requests for cuttings from member that are not able to attend the Mother's Day sales event.
Local Members
- Have access to our lending library where they can checkout various interesting books and magazines.
Membership Pricing
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
$12.00
Safety Pin Back
$10.00
A number of 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, ESA and others for helping make this site what it is.
