Monday, September 25, 2006

September 25, 2006 - the spiky cereus blooms

Since 2000, when the flat-leaved cereus (the Epiphyllum) whose pictures dominate this and the companion site started producing flowers, it bloomed every September 25th, which is my birthday. Actually, the plant missed one of those dates, but no flowers appeared at all during that particular year. This year, the cereus missed by birthday. It has many growing buds, but they're several weeks away from blossoming.

Instead, the cereus with the spiky leaves, mentioned farther below, managed to bloom last night and this morning! This plant was acquired last year, and this is only its third flower (the second this summer) in our custody. It's flower resembles that of the Epiphyllum, but is smaller and has a greenish cast. It's also a short-lived night bloomer, but its flowers appear able to persist longer after sunrise. But it's a cereus, too -- so the tradition of Sept. 25th blooms, somewhat modified, continues!

2 Comments:

At 4:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Robert, could I please see the leafs of the plant. I bought one recently and don't know how to specify it. Mine has long leathery leaves, and is called here"galan de noche", but I have see it bloom during the day ,too! I 'd appreciate your answer.regards-Birgit

 
At 11:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My great-great grandmother started with a night blooming cereus plant and we all have cuttings from the original plant. In the twenties and thirties they would put the plant on a front porch, park a car near it, and shine the car lights on the flowers. They would also drink champagne.

CB

 

Post a Comment

<< Home