Queen of the Night Cereus / Epiphyllum oxypetalum / Remembering Nancy

Written on October 24, 2011 at 1:00 AM, by Miriam Admin

What can be said about this flower that hasn’t been said already? The plant itself is plain and homely and looks sickly most of the time—she blooms when you least expect it. If you don’t watch her daily you will certainly not know to stay up and go outside in the dark with a flashlight to capture her amazing beauty on the one day she decides to bloom. There are many lessons to be learned from this magnificent cereus. Although she looks like something the cat dragged over—don’t underestimate her reserves. From homely and plain plants can come great beauty. Always have batteries in your flashlight you never know when you’ll need them for an outdoor, evening cereus adventure. Oh I forgot to mention that there are three buds on this cereus and they opened on different nights. See if you can spot them.  I only witnessed one of the blooms. Some of the pictures are blurry in my attempt to show you how delicately the buds are attached to the plant. That is another lesson this plant teaches us–umbilical cords are something else!

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8 Comments

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8 Comments to Queen of the Night Cereus / Epiphyllum oxypetalum / Remembering Nancy

  1. by Dea W.

    On October 25, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    LOL, God gave them such beautiful blooms to make up for the foliage. I started one from a cutting and it is two years old so no bloom yet. Other Epis I have started bloom on the third year so I am hoping. I of course grow them as houseplants here in Michigan. Thanks for sharing your photos. Helps make me more patient.

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    Miriam Admin Reply:
    October 25th, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Dea you are so right—-ugly leaves and so easy to miss the flower stalks. It seems almost cruel that outdoors they can bloom and never be noticed. I hope yours bloom real soon.

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  2. by angellinda

    On October 24, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    What a Bloom. I Love it! I see Beauty in all growing life.

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  3. by Alex Crow

    On October 24, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    i have heard of this flower, but have never actually seen it growing in a garden! how absolutely stunning! delicate looking but so regal! i’m glad you caught her in her glory!

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  4. by Beth@Soap and Garden

    On October 24, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    There’s got to be a great character analogy in there somewhere. :-)

    I think I’ll dedicate this flower to my youngest dd, who is going through the trials of being a teen, in preparation for becoming a terrific adult!

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  5. by anuga herbst

    On October 24, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Nature is a great teacher. At times one needs to look beyond the obvious. “You should not judge a book by it’s cover”. Beauty is hiding from within.
    Thanks for the reminder.
    Have a great week.
    Anuga

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  6. by Chris

    On October 24, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Miriam, you take exquisite photos!

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  7. by Tugee McGinnis

    On October 24, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    Have always wanted to see this. Thank you so much for sharing.

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