Finally had my first Epi bloom. I took several shots over a 24 hour period so I could share my thrill. The most amazing thing to me (besides the beauty) is the awsome aroma--reminiscent of a bubble bath, sweet-sweet-sweet and soapy). It filled the house and spilled out into the yard.
Bill
7:40 AM yesterday
Around 4 PM
9:20 PM--No odor at all...
9:45 PM
10:30 PM--Slight aroma..
Midnight: Pervasive heady scent has flooded the house...
Heart of the bloom....
1:30 AM: Height of its glory and scent...a full 9 inches in diameter...
This message was edited Jul 8, 2007 8:10 AM
7:40 AM: Already drooping. I think a love affair with Epis has started!
Bill
Lovely pics!
They never fail to delight, the first and the 100th...
Thanks RUK, Another one opened last night, alerting me with its fabulous aroma--posed with driftwood and a brom. An amazing plant.
Bill
Bill, is this 'Queen of the Night'?
Growhappy, It is Epiphyllum oxypetalum. I have heard it called "Queen of the Night" and it certainly qualifies! I believe it is an accepted common name for this orchid cactus. I called this one 'Seymore' after the man eating flower in the movie Little House of Horrors. I think one of these must have been the inspiration for the design--at least the bud--LOL!
Bill
'Seymore' is such a fitting name for this monster! LOL What do you feed this thing Bill? It's beautiful...
GH
Do you mean like children or pets?--lol! I water it with 1/4 strength Miracle Gro. Seems to love it.
Bill
Bill, Great photos!! It is such fun to watch the blooming process, thanks for sharing.
Betty
Betty, Thanks for the compliment. I have never seen such a show and wished it would stay around for everyone to see--but the camera was the best I could do!
Bill
I try to have a "Blooming Party" when I know several are blooming. Just has to be a last minute party. LOL
That's for sure. The party has to start around 10 PM too. Seems hard to find takers at my age--lol!
Bill
I understand the takers at my age. LOL
I usually invite them about 8 or so we have snacks and then sit and wait.
I usually I have enough blooms that each guest takes home a flower. Sometimes a cutting or plant. Even if the flower is cut off before it opens it will open on up on schedule, so if they have to go home early they still get to enjoy the bloom.
Betty
*sniffle, pout* I NEED blooms!!!! Bill - just found your thread...WONDERFUL pics!!!
picabo, That is good information on cutting the bud. Do you put them in water when cut? And does it have to be the day they are ready?
Aw chantell, don't cry--lol! I have my monstrosity in a 6" pot and suspect it waited until it was pot bound before flowering. I feed it dilute bloom fertilizer when I water. The way it is growing I guess it likes the treatment. It is three years this month since I rooted the leaf and is now three feet tall--still in the small pot-- and trying to take over my space!
Bill
OOppss...hmmm, maybe my idea a couple of months ago wasn't such a good one...LOL. I had 3-4 different night blooming epis in 6" pots...moved ALL of them to one 12" pot. Let's hope they get root bound real quick...LOL - think I'll get some diluted fert in there to "help" things along esp. since your's has obviously done so well with it!!!
Bill, I usually wrap a wet paper towel around the bud for them to get it home. Doesn't really seem to make any difference if it is in water or not. The flowers are going to do their thing. Might hold a little longer in water, but how long are you going to sit up and watch a flower anyway??? LOL.
When I have lots of buds opening at one time (Not unusual to have 20 open on one night) I often cut lots of them off around 6:00 in the evening and take them to the retirement community where Mother lives. I give the buds to her neighbors. I tell them to stick in a glass of water and watch the show. People love having someone give them something this beautiful.
Betty
Betty,
What a lovely thing to do! Thank you for the information.
Bill
