The Return of a Night Bloom

Not An Orchid Update ..

But rather a Cacti Update.. hehehe. My cactus plants never do anything but grow taller, so I rarely write about them. I don't water them as much as my other plants, so maybe that's why I almost missed a once in a 365 day event!

Last night while watering plants .. I noticed something I must have overlooked for weeks. My old Peruvian apple cactus has a new bloom forming. I stood there for a while, surprised I hadn’t seen it sooner. Maybe my mind has just been too busy lately, but there it was—quietly preparing for its once-a-year show.

This cactus has been with us for around thirty years now. She stands about seven feet tall, still impressive after all these years. I got the original cutting from my late aunt, and over time I’ve had to trim her back and replant her a few times to keep her going. She’s been through a lot, yet always manages to keep growing.

The Peruvian Apple cactus .. Is known for its tall columnar shape and large night-blooming flowers. When the bloom opens, it happens after dark and lasts only through the night before wilting by morning. The pure white flower is striking and always feels like something rare and special, maybe because it’s gone so quickly.

It’s been several years since she last bloomed .. So this feels like a bit of an event. We’ll be keeping a close eye on her over the next several days so we don’t miss it. Even if it lasts just one night, it will be a beautiful sight to see again.

She isn’t alone in her corner of the home, though. She’s got a couple of cactus friends keeping her company. One is a small one that I planted right in with her, and another sits nearby in the corner—shorter, but very heavy for its size. I’m not sure what either of those are, but maybe someone here on Hive who knows a thing or two about cacti can help identify them.

Here is one poking her head around the corner, the last time the Peruvian Apple Cactus bloomed (9/2020)

And this is my other Cacti. Not sure the name of this one either, but she sure is heavy!.. The terracotta pot adds to it I am sure.

Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!

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