Although the plants that the San Diego Epiphyllum Society was formed to promote are called "epiphyllum", the question is "Are they truly Epiphyllums?" There are conflicting opinions on the subject and the issue causes a lot of debate among members around the world. For the casual hobbyist, the ins and outs of the arguments can be confusing; but for now there is no consensus on what name to apply to the epiphytic hybrids the epiphyllum societies promote.
The bottom line is that the true epiphytic Epiphyllum species is just one of many epiphytic species used in hybridizing. In fact, some believe that Epiphyllum was used in as little as ten percent of the initial crosses.
The first epiphytic crosses involved Heliocereus and Nopalxochia. According to author Scott Haselton, the earliest records go back to 1830 in England where Jenkinson and Smith recorded the first hybrids. About 1820, Heliocereus speciosus was introduced to English collectors shortly after Nopalxochia phyllanthoides had been distributed. The ease in crossing these two plants led to many fine hybrids which were named and offered for sale.
Then came the large-flowering, scented Epiphyllum crenatum which was imported into Europe in 1840. From then on, many English, German and French hybridizers began producing epiphytic hybrid
The bottom line is that the true epiphytic Epiphyllum species is just one of many epiphytic species used in hybridizing. In fact, some believe that Epiphyllum was used in as little as ten percent of the initial crosses.
The first epiphytic crosses involved Heliocereus and Nopalxochia. According to author Scott Haselton, the earliest records go back to 1830 in England where Jenkinson and Smith recorded the first hybrids. About 1820, Heliocereus speciosus was introduced to English collectors shortly after Nopalxochia phyllanthoides had been distributed. The ease in crossing these two plants led to many fine hybrids which were named and offered for sale.
Then came the large-flowering, scented Epiphyllum crenatum which was imported into Europe in 1840. From then on, many English, German and French hybridizers began producing epiphytic hybrid
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