funny thing about the orchid cactus

Last time I had shown my first cutting cactus orchid flower, it was lighter pinkish color except the petal parts, and normally I only get flower bloom in April and early May. Now I got another bud coming from the parent plant and flower today like I have never seen before. I am not sure whether is due to maturity or the weather, the color tends to be darker and more red. Is this mutation or something is going on. I am not quite sure, but the flower is so pretty.

Lat

This message was edited Jun 4, 2008 12:33 AM

I am going to post couple more pictures

last one

Comparing above, this picture flower was taken in April this year( same plant). you can see the color is much lighter.

Lat

Forget to add this picture at the beginning when it was in bud.

Lat

Hi Lat, beautiful!!!! looks like 2 different plants.

I wonder if it's similar to plumeria. They say (mine haven't bloomed yet, so I haven't seen it) that that increased heat in the summer intensifies the color/scent.

Beautiful! I would also say that it looks like two different plants. Darn I have to wait till next year for my cutting to get big enought to bloom.

Thank you all, I hope your flowers will bloom as beautiful as mine. Kaper, I think you might be right. Do you remember one week during May was so hot, this could trigger the color intensity. But anyway I hope my next bloom will be this color.( there is still one small bud left on the other branch).

Lat

Whatever it is, that is one beautiful flower! Will you be at the Roundup on Saturday? We will be thankful the heat hasn't set in yet for that day. :-)

Hi Kaper, sorry, I will not make it this time, may be I could try next year. This Sat. I plan to work as volunteer at the arboretum near my home. We are going to plant bulb for the next year plant sale. This is my first time to participate, so it will be fun.

Lat

Sounds like fun, Lat. Maybe we'll see you next year!