Family: Cactaceae
Common Name: Queen of the Night

Originating from tropical America and the Caribbean, these epiphytic climbing, or some-what pendulous cactuses have long, sinuous branches, producing aerial roots. The stems are ribbed and spiny. The very large, perfumed, mostly white flowers are nocturnal. The buds are woolly and brown.

Species

S. grandiflorus, queen of the night, the most commonly grown species, has cream or white, sweetly scented flowers, 20-25 cm (8-10 in) long, which are quite spectacular. The slender, blueish green stems bear short, yellow spines.

S. hamatus has four-angled stems with hook-like projections along the edges. The large, white flowers, 30 cm (12 in) across, are borne sparingly. S. macdonaldiae, with the largest flower of all cactuses, is also known as queen of the night. Its white flowers have almost no fragrance.

Cultivation

Outside the tropics, these cactuses should be grown in a warm conservatory or greenhouse, in pots or hanging baskets of cactus compost formulated for epiphytes. Species with climbing stems need supports. Provide bright light (but shade from direct sun), and a humid atmosphere. Water normally when in full growth, but keep the compost only slightly moist in winter. Propagate in summer from cuttings of stem sections, rooting them with bottom heat.

Climate

Tropical.