Every year at this time the Queen of the Night cactus that I brought back from my mother's garden in Florida blooms.
The plant itself really isn't much to look at, but the blooms are quite amazing! The plant is long, thin and snakelike and climbs up on any nearby plant or if it's planted in the garden next to a tree it will climb up into it. In June, small fuzzy buds begin to sprout from the sides of the cactus. They become long, about 6 inches or so and then one day, late in the afternoon the flower slowly begins to open. By midnight the flower is in full bloom. I took a picture with my hand holding the base of the flower to give you an idea of its size. For part of the night the flower emits a pleasant but very slight perfume.
By morning the flower has wilted and closed, never to open again. In a few days the spent blossom will fall off the plant. We all enjoy watching this spectacle of nature - even the neighbours come to have a look. It makes me happy to share something from my mom's backyard.
I love the fact you appreciate such beauty and share it with us. This is beautiful, being fragrant too is a plus! I think I may have to go on the search for one. Thank you Sandi
ReplyDeleteHow lovely . I don't remember ever seeing this in Fla. when I lived there , maybe a southern Fla. thing ?Have you ever seen a Pencil Catus before ? They are cool looking , but don't remember whether or not they flower .
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