Waiting for the Queen

 

My Night-Blooming Cereus, aka Queen of the Night has been keeping me up for the past several nights. The spectacular blooms open after dark, releasing a heavenly fragrance. And the next morning they are sad, wilted rags.  And the plant blooms just once a year. 

Right now, in the greenhouse one plant is sporting five or six fat blooms--it's like a pregnant woman almost at her due date.

                                       

A few nights ago I got up at 3:30 and schlepped into the greenhouse to make sure I wasn't missing anything. (I wasn't.)

Alas, the greenhouse is a crummy location for trying to get a photo. A hot water tank for background and the only light, a flashlight. But the Queen is sprawling and any attempt to move her would likely result in broken stems.

It's almost nine pm as I write this. I'll give Her Majesty a little longer before I go take a bath and go to bed. 

Meanwhile, HERE is a post from another year with a reasonably successful capture.

  And she's opening --around 9:15. Oh Calloo, Callay!