The Queen That Didn’t Bloom
The queen that didn’t bloom last night is my Nightblooming Cereus, or Selenicereus grandiflorus. The cactus species blooms one night a year, or years, and withers within hours. For some reason, the bud didn’t open.
Queen of the Night One Day Before Bloom 3/4 Angle
The impossibly intricate, huge white blooms, are protected by long, pale salmon tubes, with sharp points. When the bloom looks like this, it will either open that night, or the following night. It blooms after dark, for one night only.
Queen of the Night One Day Before Bloom with Shadow
I just got excited photographing this beautiful bud from every angle.
Queen of the Night One Day Before Bloom Side View
Queen of the Night One Day Before Bloom Front View
It blooms for one night (see photos of my neighbor Zdena’s blooms in my Queen of the Night post) and is spent and limp by morning. These buds do not like to be handled, evidently, as in my zeal to get some light on the subject, I moved the pot a few times. The pot resides in the shade under my wisteria.
Queen of the Night the Day of Bloom in Sunlight
By this stage, a heavy bloom was being lifted up by the stem. Monday night it had not bloomed. Yesterday, it had started to open. I moved it yet again, into the sun in an effort to see inside. The stem was probably stressed too much. When I returned from class last night, I found it hanging limp, never having opened. I’ll know better next time to leave it alone, and enjoy it’s stunning beauty from where it is. What unforgettable flowers are you growing in your garden? Thanks for stopping by! – Kaye
Category: Flowers
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Queen of the Night - Late Bloomer Show | July 30, 2014
how disappointing!
Particularly, since it was probably my fault! 🙁 But, gardening is an education. – Kaye
Kaye, I know you’re disappointed, but even without blooming she’s gorgeous!
Thanks, Anna. I tried to capture her beauty as best I could. But, the beauty of nature is beyond our capture, don’t you agree? – Kaye
well, kind of Kaye, I don’t think we can capture/hold it per say, but I think you DID capture real beauty there 😉 and I thank you xo
*anna
Thank you, Anna!! Hope your cold is better! – kaye