Just minutes after opening, this beautiful Argentine Giant flower began to wilt in the 110 degree heat. One thing I like about these huge flowers is the pure white of the petals. I have very few cactus blooms that have such white flowers. The sepals are a rose-red, so even the unopened flower is beautiful.
This slightly out of focus photo is the first flower on a tiny section of a Chamaelobivia 'Rose Quartz. This stem is only 1.5 inches. Chamaelobivia is sometimes called Peanut cactus, because each section resembles a peanut. These sections easily separate, and root readily. I have three small sections rooting in this 2 inch pot, and was very surprised to see a flower bud recently forming on one of the tiny stems. Usually, it takes a whole season before a section will flower.
That is one thing, Aiyana...you have so many cactus, you have a great chance you will find someting blooming! Awesome little peanut cactus!! Lawsy...I seriously don't know how you can live there with those temps like that!!! Does it cool down to a liveable temp at night?
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteIt cools down, but sometimes at ll pm it's still around 100. Toward dawn it will be around 80-85 and then rapidly heats up when the sun is up. The problem is this goes on and on...we have high temps from June to October. In mid-October it starts getting cooler in the day, and in late October it is really nice and even at times a bit chilly at night. Everything greens back up and it's like a second spring.
Aiyana
How absolutely beautiful ! I am glad to see you caught it on a photo. It is sad that some plants are only a day or a minute of full blossom. Thanks for sharing this treasure with us.
ReplyDelete110? Everything should wilt! I so do not understand Cactus plants...Yours are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI always see something interesting on your blog- here I thought all peanut cactus had those bright orange blooms! Very neat to see a pink bloom on one!
ReplyDeleteThe heat here has been worse than normal too- I keep prayin for rain!
I find August is such a difficult month here. I tend to lose potted plants that just can't make it any longer with the hot weather (especially the nights). Also, all the in the ground plants are struggling with the heat. At least by September there are usually cooler nights with does help. I'm holding my breath on that this year. It has been extra hot even at night so far. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, cacti blooms are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I have yet to have one of my cactus bloom. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThe white is lovely! Can't believe those tiny 'peanuts' can produce such a beautiful bloom! Love it! Jean
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! And, as you say, the unopened flower too.
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm not a fan of cactus, I do enjoy the blooms :-)
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Nice pictures. :) Good thing you caught it!
ReplyDeleteThis is just absolutely amazing to see! I'm starting to love cactus flowers!
ReplyDelete