Mid-Atlantic Gardening: What's Happening in your Garden Today June 2011, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
OH, MY GOD!!!!!

The "other" Red Epi bloomed today!!!! It is the most amazing bloom I have ever seen!

I got both my Red Epis from "kachinagirl" (Karen) in CA in 2005. Just leaves...one each.

You all have seen the flowers from my Red Epi that has now bloomed in the last 3 summers.

The "other one" (Ruby! You got one of these from me at the Swap) has NEVER bloomed!!!

In mid-June--I posted pictures of potentially developing buds....The blush in the veins....
the tiny red pips which were buds-to-be....Three of them grew into buds that will bloom.
Took A WHOLE MONTH FROM BUD TO BLOOM!!!...WOW!!!
Talk about patience....I took pictures all along to see how these buds developed....
SO! Here--a month later one of the three bloomed.....HUGE, fuchsia blooms in shades of red and
fushia and deep pinks. The bloom was about 6" across.....The biggest I have ever seen!!!
Will post this on the "Orchid cactus" Forum to get an ID and name.

SO! TADAAAHHH! Here is the first picture!
The slowly developing buds....making this long "neck" as it grew and grew...