About three years ago, I purchased a cutting of a Night Blooming Cactus (Cereus) from a little greenhouse in a neighboring county. (For my local friends, it was Farmer Joe’s in Surry.)
I planted it in a special cactus soil, recommended by “Mrs. Farmer Joe”, and placed it in our upstairs sun room. This tiny plant has grown and grown and grown. That one stalk is nearly 6 feet long.
Although Motor Man and I don’t spend much time upstairs, this room is one of Sundae’s very favorite spots.
Whenever I go upstairs, she lies down and stretches out on the rug and waits to have her tummy rubbed. On August 25, she did just that. She was so cute, I sat down on the rug beside her, and while indulging her in her request, I happened to glance at the cactus and noticed this. It was on the back side of one of the leaves and nearly on the floor. It would have been very easy to miss. (Thanks, Sundae!)
Now, here’s a little info on this plant. It grows wild in the desert, but can be grown as a houseplant. It blooms once a year for only one night. The following morning, the bloom is wilted. From the desertUSA web-site: “… for one midsummer’s night each year, its exquisitely scented flower opens as night falls, then closes forever with the first rays of the morning sun.” Folks have been known to host parties for their friends to witness the blooming of this cactus.
After discovering the bud on August 25, I made numerous trips upstairs to keep watch on it. It was like waiting for a baby to be born.
Motor Man brought home a security camera system and aimed two cameras on it – just in case we weren’t home when the big event took place. This picture was taken this past Saturday.
Early in the evening Sunday, by the looks of the bud, I just had a feeling that night would be “it”. Sure enough, this next picture was taken around 9 pm. The scent of the blooms is so sweet, they are used to make perfume.
A little later in the evening…the bloom was continuing to open.
I must admit, I was a little sad to leave it at bedtime, knowing that the next morning, the bloom would be gone. This was around 11 pm and what I’m guessing is full bloom.
Sure enough, Monday morning.
Without knowing it, I’d actually been doing everything right for this cactus to thrive: it was in a dark place at night with indirect sunlight during the day, and I certainly hadn’t over-watered it. I’m just hoping that I can refrain from giving it too much attention in the future – now that I know the beauty and magic of its blooms.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 