Midget Maya (Epiphyllum ‘Midget Maya’) is a captivating houseplant known for its vibrant, often fragrant blooms and compact size. It offers a striking display, making it a rewarding choice for any indoor plant collection, suitable for both novice and experienced growers.
Understanding Midget Maya
Midget Maya belongs to the Epiphyllum genus, often called an orchid cactus due to its stunning flowers and epiphytic growth habit. Unlike desert cacti, these plants naturally grow on trees in tropical forests, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. They feature long, flattened, segmented stems often mistaken for leaves, contributing to their distinct appearance.
Essential Care for Midget Maya
Light Requirements
Midget Maya thrives in bright, indirect light, mimicking its natural rainforest habitat. An east-facing window or a few feet from a south or west-facing window is ideal. Direct midday sun can scorch delicate stems, causing discoloration or damage. Insufficient light results in leggy, weak growth, indicating a need for a brighter location.
Watering Practices
Watering Midget Maya requires consistently moist conditions during its active growing season, but it dislikes soggy soil. Allow the top one to two inches of potting mix to dry out before watering thoroughly. In winter, reduce watering significantly, keeping the compost slightly damp but never completely dry. Yellowing stems indicate overwatering, while shriveled stems suggest underwatering.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining, airy potting mix is necessary for Midget Maya to prevent root rot, as its roots are not accustomed to dense soil. An orchid mix or a cactus mix amended with perlite, bark, or pumice provides drainage and aeration. Terracotta pots are beneficial due to their porous nature, wicking away excess moisture. Repotting should be done sparingly, as these plants flower best when slightly pot-bound.
Temperature and Humidity
Midget Maya prefers warm conditions, ideally 65-85°F (18-29°C) during the growing season. It is sensitive to cold, avoiding temperatures below 50°F (10°C). As a tropical epiphyte, it appreciates moderate to high humidity, ideally 50-70%. To increase humidity, mist the plant regularly, place it on a pebble tray with water, or use a humidifier, especially in dry indoor environments.
Fertilizing Schedule
During the active growing season (spring through autumn), Midget Maya benefits from regular fertilization. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer or one lower in nitrogen, applied every two weeks. A potassium-rich fertilizer promotes better flowering. Reduce or cease fertilization during cooler winter months when the plant is less active.
Encouraging Blooms and Propagation
Promoting Abundant Flowers
To encourage abundant blooms, Midget Maya benefits from a cool rest period during winter, with temperatures between 52-57°F (11-14°C) and reduced watering. This cool, drier spell stimulates flower bud formation. Once buds appear, return the plant to normal warmer growing conditions. Bright, filtered light and proper fertilization leading up to the spring or summer blooming season also support prolific flowering.
Propagating New Plants
Propagating Midget Maya is done through stem cuttings. Select a healthy, mature stem segment 6 to 9 inches long. Allow the cut end to callus for several days in a warm, dry place before planting. Insert the callused end 1 to 2 inches deep into a well-draining potting mix, similar to that for mature plants. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots establish, which takes several weeks.
Addressing Common Challenges
If Midget Maya stems appear shriveled or limp, it indicates a lack of water, especially if the soil has dried out completely. Gradually reintroduce water to avoid shocking the plant.
Yellowing stems signal overwatering or poor drainage, leading to root issues. Ensure the potting mix drains freely and the plant is not sitting in standing water.
Browning edges on stems indicate insufficient humidity; increase ambient moisture through misting or a humidifier. Direct, intense sunlight can cause white scabbing or scorching, requiring a move to brighter, indirect light.
Midget Maya can be affected by common houseplant pests like mealybugs or spider mites, which are addressed with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.