It would not be easy to find a more beautiful object during winter than an Epiphyllum, 5 ft. or 6 ft. high, and nearly the same in width at the base, forming a dense pyramid of drooping, strap-like branches bearing several hundreds of their bright and delicate coloured blossoms all at one time, and lasting in beauty for several weeks.  With a little skill and patience, plants of this size may be grown by any amateur who possesses a warm greenhouse; and, although it is not easy to manage such large plants in a room window, handsome little specimens of the same form may be grown if the window is favourably situated and the room kept warm in winter.  Mr. J. Wallis, gardener to G. Tomline, Esq., of Ipswich, has become famous for the size and health of the specimens he has produced.  Writing on the cultivation of Epiphyllums, Mr. Wallis gives the following details, which are especially valuable as coming from one of the most successful cultivators of these beautiful plants: 

“The Epiphyllums here are grown for flowering in the conservatory, and are usually gay from the first week in November till February.  During the remainder of the year, they occupy a three-quarter span-roof house, in which an intermediate temperature is maintained.  All our Epiphyllums are grafted on the Pereskia aculeata.  We graft a few at intervals of two or three years, so, if any of the older plants become sickly or shabby, they are thrown away, and the younger ones grown on.  Some of the stocks are worked to form pyramids, and some to form standards.  The height of the pyramids is 6 ft., and, to form these, six or eight scions are inserted.  The heads of the standards are on stems ranging in height from 41/2 ft. down to 11/2 ft.  To form these heads, only one scion is put on the stock.  Some of our oldest pyramids are 4 ft. or 5 ft. through at the base, and the heads of the standards quite as much.  When in flower, the heads of the latter droop almost to the pots.  The pyramids occupy No.2 and No.4 sized pots, the standards 8’s and 12’s.  Each plant is secured to a strong iron stake, with three prongs fitting the inside of the pot, and the Epiphyllum is kept well supported to the stake by ties of stout wire.  After the plants are well established, they are easily managed, and go many years without repotting; but, of course, we top-dress them annually, previously removing as much of the old soil as will come away easily.  We grow these plants with plenty of ventilation on all favourable occasions, and they are seldom shaded.  During active growth, water is given freely, occasionally liquid manure; they are also syringed daily.  After the season’s growth is completed, water is given more sparingly, and syringing is dispensed with.”