Wednesday, June 26, 2013

NIGHT BLOOMING CEREUS PLANT FINALLY BLOOMS!

I had just returned home from a lovely dinner with two of my dear girl friends - look what awaited me:



This is the night-blooming Cereus plant.  

I was given a cutting of this unusual guy from dear friends that have since moved down to Tennessee from Pennsylvania.  I have kept them updated on the growth of our unusual "pet", including the long   branch that grew and grew and has finally shot out a couple of new leaves.  You can see this "growth" in this photo:



Bob told me that you will know when it is going to bloom, but I really expected this to have happened last week, as the "pod" was getting bigger and bigger and I really had no idea how much bigger it was going to get!!

This morning at 11.55am, it was looking like it might be going to do something soon.  So I took another photo (just in case):



... and 9 hours later:



How big is this flower?  Here it is - in relation to Calum's head!:



Isn't mother nature wonderful?

.... unfortunately, we've been warned that the flower will only last for tonight.  The beautiful perfume, which I assume in the wild would attract night-time pollinators, will not be present by the morning. We'll just have to wait again for the next exquisite emergence.

What a difference a day makes?



Try just 10 hours!


Well, I guess I have to go to bed.  Just wanted to share my little bit of joy for the day!

'Till next time,

Shona

9 comments:

  1. Shona, I have never heard of this plant. It is so spectacular, too bad it's a one day event!! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous creation.

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  2. Shona this is spectacular and so is your photography! Great example beside Calum's head. Isn't nature fascinating?

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  3. Wow, that is really awesome. Some of nature's most beautiful things only get one day....glad we get more.

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  4. I've never seen a plant like that. That bloom is not only gorgeous, but it's huge. Hope you get another bloom soon. Thanks for sharing the photots.

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  5. OH wow, what a unique plant. Nature at its best.
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  6. Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Wowser! LOVE LOVE LOVE this write up and your photos, Shona. I've never seen anything like the plant (which seems to need a lot of elbow room) and the amazing bloom, which feels it only needs to show itself once in a blue moon! WOW! Thank you for sharing your joy! xoxoxox

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  8. Wow!! That is a gorgeous amazing flower!! It is just stunning!

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  9. Wow...now that's patience but sooo worth it! That bloom is stunning and you captured it beautifully!!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me share in part of your day. I would love to hear what you think about my latest creation!