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Dan Forman
04-25-2009, 5:30 AM
I raised this orchid cactus from seed, planted about 6 years ago. Yesterday it's first bloom opened, and tonight a second bud had opened. These flowers are about 9 inches across, and very fragrant. No more buds showing at the moment.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/P1020267.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/P1020258.jpg

Dan
Rob Russell
04-25-2009, 7:15 AM
Beautiful.

What sort of growing enfironment do they like best and how big is the cactus itself? How long do the blooms last?
John Fricke
04-25-2009, 10:35 AM
Very nice indeed. You sound like a proud papa.
Brian Brown
04-25-2009, 10:38 AM
Man, That thing is gorgeous!
Dan Forman
04-25-2009, 2:55 PM
Beautiful.

What sort of growing enfironment do they like best and how big is the cactus itself? How long do the blooms last?

They, like orchids, are "epiphytes", meaning they live on other plants, mostly trees in the rain forests. They are not parasites, they get their nutrients not from their host plant, but from bits of decaying matter where it collects in the crotches of trees and such.

The leaves (actually modified stems) on mine are about 30" long and trail if not supported, and are about 3" across.

Blooms last up to 4 days.

Here is a link to an informative web page about them. http://www.ecology.org/ecophoto/articles/Epiphyllum.htm
Jim Becker
04-25-2009, 9:53 PM
That's a really beautiful bloom!
Steve Schlumpf
04-25-2009, 10:35 PM
Amazing flower Dan! Love the brilliant color! Thanks for sharing - never heard of one of these before!
Belinda Barfield
04-26-2009, 10:38 AM
Thanks for sharing Dan. Like Steve, I had never heard of an orchid cactus before. Beautiful bloom!
Norris Randall
04-27-2009, 5:45 PM
Dan, that is a beautiful blossoming plant.

The foliage looks very similar to our Night Blooming Cereus, usually open around 10 PM and the next morning they have closed and are hanging limp.
This one bloomed late in the season and the cold weather held it until noon the next day.
Usually if we cut them at night and place them in a bowl of Ice water in the frige they will last a few hours the next day.

Did yours bloom at night and how long did the blossoms last?

116847

PS (jump thread)
Belinda, I've been gone for several months but have just returned and already enjoyed your instructions for installing a husband.