This plant has been in the family since I was a child, so I'm guessing it to be 50+ years old and as you can see, it's a little on the gangly side. But what a thrill late Saturday evening, to find it with seven blooms. By the time I got over there, my brother had already cut off two and put in the refrigerator to try to save the blooms a little longer, so I didn't get a picture of all seven. (He did not know I was coming over to take pictures and Mom did get to enjoy the fragrance the next day.)
Finding this forum was so helpful because last week, someone posted their bud the day before it opened that night, so that helped us to know when ours was going to bloom. The explanation about "cereus" in an earlier thread was so informative also. As a kid, I could never get it right - kept calling it Night Blooming Series, so when I got one of my own later on, I just call it my Nightbloomer.
No blooms on mine this year, but it is still alive. I tried putting it in too much sun last summer and burnt it up. It was so unsightly, so I cut it way back - I should probably pitch it, but it too is very old and the blessed thing bloomed on our anniversary when I was going through chemo, so since it gave me a promise of hope like that, I will keep lugging it inside in winter and taking it out in the summer, and maybe it will bloom again one day. It has sprouted back out with a lot of new growth this year, so maybe it will revive.
Night Blooming Cereus - Queen of the Night - 2008
That is lovely. But it is a epiphyllum oxypetalum and not a cereus. I have never had the luck to see a cereus bloom, but I too have had the epis oxy for many, many years.
Thanks for the proper name. I've got so much to learn.
I don't know how to link to the explanation of cereus that I was referring to - it was a post by Kaelkitty on August 19th or so and it explained how "cereus" means "torch" and that was where the common name comes from.
How crucial is the night temp being below 60? This one gets to live in a greenhouse that gets no colder than 60 at night. I have been wintering mine over in an upstairs bedroom where it would get more light but definitely not that cool. The basement would be cooler but not very much light.
Well the one I had bloom earlier was out side with out protection all winter here in north Florida and it get down into the 30's a couple of times. Mine did get a lot of sun much more that it really needed. I forget about the poor thing for a couple of years so they are tuff.
I mean to also say that I have a lot to learn, about this beautify type of plant. I kind of went crazy and bought about a 100 cuttings!!!! Now I need to built a greenhouse/shade house. I think I need a keeper.LOL
Nice Plant you have there kljflower! I know you must treasure it since it's been in your family for so long!
Here's the link to Plant Files for your Epiphyllum Oxypetalum: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2443/
As you can see, one of the common names for this one is Night Blooming Cereus.
HI All,
I'm loving the photos. Here (if I have done it right!) is a direct link to the Cereus post I made earlier: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=5275533
Ciao, KK.
Edited to add, I have checked the link and it works - you learn a new thing every day!
This message was edited Aug 26, 2008 11:07 AM
E. oxypetalum is also referred to as Dutchmans Breechs and Queen of the Night and Nightblooming Cereus.
There are some other plants also referred to as Cereus but they are not related.
WOW, nice old fashion pic of your plant, unbelievable you have something like that, We lost all of our treasure pics when we had to fllee our country to come to the USA. SO nice you posted!
Your blooms are incredible, thanks so much for sharing.
Your blooms are FANTASTIC !!!! It must feel good to have had a flower in your family for so many years. Thank you so much for sharing it with us ('',)
Annette
