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My Night Blooming Cereus opened last night.

6 years ago

I put this plant in the corner of my greenhouse/sunroom before I knew it would turn into a place for orchids. It is so large that I worry about it raising the roof but the then it starts to put out these beautiful flowers. They are huge. It opened about 10 PM and closed about 8 Am this morning. I have had as many as nine open at once. Makes it all worth it.

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shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b

6 years ago

Here is the palmetto that hosts the cactus. It also hosts several orchids...

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Comments (16)

shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
6 years ago
Shirley, amazing you can grow it in your zone. Mine is growing on a palmetto tree. I do nothing. It blooms in late summer when we get big rains. I think we have different varieties...This type produces delicious fruit except mine is sterile. I had one fruit in 20 years.
shirleyz8tx
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes yours looks a little different but look at all those blooms. I had five blooms last night and have more to open.
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This plant thrives on neglect. They bloom best when they are rootbound in the pot. So if you are being kind to the plant and not seeing any blooms it is possible that you are treating it too well. The only thing you really NEED to do for this plant is let it get slightly dry between waterings, keep it away from frost, and if you really MUST fertilize it use a balanced fertilizer with a low nitrogen content. I think one website recommends a 0-10-10. Here is a link that might be useful: ehow
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It didn't bloom last night. I actually waited until all the house lights were off, took a small flashlight and brought the plant into my bedroom. Every time I woke up slightly I checked if I could smell it blooming. Nothing! Do they bloom shortly after dark or does one have to sit up all night? If so, I am not going to be able to do it. And as for light - how do all the guests at the plant-viewing parties find their wine? Candles maybe would not make enough light to bother the plant? a.m.
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shirleyz8tx
Original Author
6 years ago
The plant goes up a 12 ft wall then across the ceiling.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
Shirley's plant is e. Hookerii. Shaved monkey's is night blooming cereus. Both bloom at night and flowers are similar but not the same. There is a lot of confusion about names. I lost my e. Hookerii and hoping it sprouts back when it gets warmer. So far, no sign of life, sniff...
shirleyz8tx
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you for the info. I have never heard that.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
Somebody clarified it for me, I'm clarifying forward, ha.
Ingrida
6 years ago
You can see the leaves may be similar, but the bloom is different.

I've had mine for many years, set one bloom once, but it fell off, before opening.

My brothe'rs bloomed with, lots of very, strong, perfume and was similar to Harvey's plant. ( indoors)
shirleyz8tx
Original Author
6 years ago
What a sight! Wish mine was growing on a tree instead of trying to push my roof up. I have recently been talking of cutting it all back, guess it heard me because then it bloomed.
Darlene (GreenCurls)
6 years ago
I wish I could grow these...
shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
6 years ago
I'm amazed that Shirley grows it in a green house in Texas!
shirleyz8tx
Original Author
6 years ago
This plant was one of the reasons to build the green house. I got tired of moving it in and out every winter. Of course it wasn't this big then.
westoh Z6
6 years ago
Darlene,

I been growing two varieties in 6b for 8-10 years, they come in when the last orchids come in for the winter, they're both out for the summer as of this weekend. I usually get blooms indoors and out. About every 5 years I have to start new plants from cuttings because the older plants are getting too large, I ditch them once the new ones establish.

Why do you feel you can't grow them?

Bob
Darlene (GreenCurls)
6 years ago
Thanks for the note, Bob! I was thinking size and light would be problematic, especially given the need to take them in for the winter. I grow in windows and under lights in the colder months. Where are yours growing in the winter?
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Multiple different cactus genera produce white, nocturnal flowers. The indoor example shown here has the flat stems of an Epiphyllum, the outdoor plant the 3-angled stems of Hylocereus undatus. Dragon fruit seen in stores is likely to have come from plants of this latter species.

Pitaya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya
westoh Z6
6 years ago
Darlene,

Mine grew in an east window with supplemental LED lighting this winter. In the past, they grew in a south window with no supplemental lighting.

Bob

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