Cereus greggii

[Tindomul1of9]

I got this one from my botany professor. Well I got the whole plant until after it blooms. Then I get to keep a cutting.
Its a night blooming Cereus!!! And its got three buds!!







So uhmm, Has anyone got any advice. I need to repot, and make a cutting for myself. I won't till after the buds bloom, don't want to blast them afterall.

What kind of potting mix? These are epiphytes right?

Thanks!!

[Molly Taco]

In my experience with the plant you really can't hurt it except with a lot of sun. It roots readily in anywell drained potting soil, just cut off a piece and stick it in. The flowers only last one night so stay up and watch or pick them and take them into your bedroom in a vase. They smell heavenly. Good rooting!!
Cin

[Piper]

I think we always potted ours in dirt. I didn't know they were epiphytic. Are they?

Tindo's in NY. He doesn't get enough sun to hurt a Cereus. My parents grow theirs on their lanai in Florida and it gets overdosed with light and grows like a weed. They only ever got one or two blooms when they lived on Long Island, but once they hit more tropical climes, it quickly became a monster. They get 1-2 dozen blooms each summer now.

The buds will be near to opening when they're the size of your hand with your fingers pursed together. Then watch it closely each evening. It probably won't fully deploy till 11-midnight, but it will only last that one night. Have your camera ready and your nostrils sniffing! We want pictures, of course!

McJulie

[Tindomul1of9]

Hi, my professor and I are thinking of tricking it into blooming during the day Something about covering it in a black plastic bag all day, and in an artificially lit room at night. Then expose it on the day of the bloom. Lets hope it works!
Do all the blooms open on the same day?

[Piper]

No, they can open on different days, but each only lasts for a night.

Good luck trying to fool mother nature!

McJulie

[Tindomul1of9]

Ok,here they are, the long awaited blooming pics!









Let me know what you think

[Piper]

Magnificent picts, Tindo!

I've only ever seen quick snap shots of my parents'. With care and good lighting, those stupendous flowers can be captured in all their glory! Well done!

I trust your place was filled with scent - what did it smell like? And how late did you have to stay up to get those final shots?

McJulie

[Ania]

Absolutely beautiful!!!!

[Tindomul1of9]

Actually the smell wasn't strong. It was good, indescribable, but faint. Apparently thats the way it is for this species. Maybe we are not ment to smell it.
The first set of pics was taken at 7 p.m. and the second set was taken at 9 p.m. Not that late.
Anyway, since I knew the flower was going to be lost forever, I decided to chop it off in full glory and preserve it forever!!!!! Wipped up a cool concoction of acetic acid, cupric sulfate, formalin and water and did this:


and this one is the second bloom. After cutting the first one off, I smushed them up together to pollinate the one still attached. Hope it works

[Piper]

Cool on both the preservation and the attempted plant sex! Good luck!

McJulie