Night Blooming Queen...Cereusly!!!!

[betcsu]

ive been so crazy busy that i forgot to let yall know that "willis' plant" (the name we call our night blooming cerius/queen of the night) bloomed nearly a month ago! i was shocked as she usually doesnt even think about it till august and sometimes september. and because i dont expect anything much sooner than that, i was surprised when i went to talk to her on july 5th and found this:

cerius 070512.jpg cerius2 070512.jpg

we missed her only night out! i just never thought in a million years to look for buds/blooms that early in the season. but all is good and theres no need to fret cuz this is what i found on her tonight:

cerius 072812.jpg

the funny thing is that earlier this year, just before i put her outside for the season, i had to cut her WAY back. i cut at least half of her off cuz she'd gotten too huge and unruly. i did, however take every single cutting - whether it was a stem with leaves or just a single leaf - and stuck each of them into the soil of the same pot the rest of her lives.... just to see whatd she do - if anything. i dont know if that means anything about the early bloomin' since the bloom from earlier this month and tonights current bud both grew/are growing on leaves that didnt get the scissor treatment.

anyway, im getting a second chance for a bloom night very soon and at this rate i expect many more before her blooming/outdoor season comes to an end. happy bloomin' to all who have a queen of your own!

[Willis]

I thought I recalled that last year I had a bloom early but was surprised when MM22 said her plant (another of my Cereus' progeny) was nearing a bloom. And when I went out on the deck this AM, lo and behold:

click the pic for a larger view

Did your flower bloom, MM22?

My offer is the same as in past years. Anyone who wants to witness the bloom is welcome. I'll post a bit later when the buds are nearer to opening. The flowers only last one night. And the scent is amazing. You can search the forum for pics of the flower. It must have come from outer space

[Willis]

Maybe Monday
The Invite Stands
click the pic for a closer view

[Willis]

I now suspect I'll have 4 blooms THIS evening. Feel welcome to stop by. PM for directions and bring your fav snacks and beverages.

4:00PM

[betcsu]

i'll try to stop by if im not too tired tonight, willis.

but lookie what i found. an itty bitty bud that fell off as i tried to get a better look at it. you see, it was growing INSIDE the leafy mess the cereus is and as i tried to move the outer leafs apart to see inside the middle the baby bud fell off. it was the size of a die (as shown in pic below) ive never seen one growing anywhere but on an outer leaf so this was quite a sight... till it dropped like a dead cereus bud.

itty came from.jpg
itty.jpg

anywho, this is what my still growing heartily bud is looking like today. whats your guestimation for a bloom night for me, willis?

redy2blook.jpg

[Willis]

...whats your guestimation for a bloom night for me, willis?

betcsu, it looks as tho that bud of yours will open either tomorrow or Tuesday.

...it was the size of a die (as shown in pic below)...

Looks a bit like an Olympic Flame

[Tony]

I'm sorry, but those things creep me out so much I may have to spring for a hotel room in town tonight!

[Willis]

I'm sorry, but those things creep me out so much I may have to spring for a hotel room in town tonight!

I can't understand why

[betcsu]

willis, with the rain, i aint gonna make it out for your bloomin', but please post 'in progress' pics so i can be there in spirit!

[Willis]

willis, with the rain, i aint gonna make it out for your bloomin', but please post 'in progress' pics so i can be there in spirit!

It is a shame the rain gods dumped on the parade. But we needed the rainfall and there are some more buds on their way. I may not get out to take the four which are now just about in full bloom, but here are some I took before the rain started in earnest.

Click the pics for a better view.



7:00 PM

8:30 PM

9:30 PM

9:30 PM

[betcsu]

great pics! who took them? or did you use a tri-pod?

[Willis]

The last pic from the first 4 blooms is below. If anyone is interested, there are two more in line to bloom tonite. Stop by if you're so inclined.

Click the Pic

[betcsu]

i think this baby might bloom tonight! *crossing fingers* whatdaya think, willis?

last night:
redy2blook.jpg

today:
IMG_20120806_182929.jpg

so do you think its gonna be tonight or do you think its gonna be one more day? *crossing fingers for tonight, but want an honest answer!*

[Willis]

I'm having difficulty opening the larger file, but from what I see in the thumbnail, betcsu, it looks fat, sassy and ready to bloom, just like the two on my deck. If someone were to stand at Locust drive and Shenandoah River drive, they might be able to smell the fragrance in stereo.

[LFE]

One of the best voices in music.

1. 4:11
   FEED ME SEYMORE - LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
   
   

[Tony]

I keep telling the wife that smell IS NOT ME. But she's making me sleep outside tonight anyway.

[antzgal]

I am bummed. I checked my plant yesterday, looked all under the leaves and on stems and I have no buds coming in. I felt like I was peeking under "its skirt" checking for its "bloomers". I was so hoping. Is there a time frame for blooming. This plant that I have I got from Willis last summer at the yard sale. I keep it on the deck, morning sun afternoon shade. Growing like crazy. It is a pretty good size plant. I will keep checking.

[MountainMoon22]

They need to be at least five years old, I think. Mine bloomed about a month ago. Must have been the heat.

[Willis]

They need to be at least five years old

Yes, it takes some patience and a good bit of sun during the summer. It does seem they have bloomed earlier recently, but we've had some REAL hot summers.

BTW, I've got another bloom tonite if anyone wants to stop by.

[Willis]

I received the following email w/attachments from Charlene in Utah:

Just wanted to know that you are a grandfather of sorts. The night blooming cereus cutting you gave me several years ago (now named Audrey) finally bloomed. Caught a few pics by dawn's early light the other day (9/11/2012). Thought you would get a kick out of them. Four large blooms for the first time. Smelled divine!

So, ladies and gentlemen, those cuttings I've spread around the country (and world) do produce blooms. You just have to be patient
BTW, My plant is still blooming, the latest last week. I have at least a dozen more buds which should be bursting forth in the next week or thereabouts. I also have some cuttings if anyone is interested.