A few weeks later the overgrown patch of yellow iris spring into bloom. About that time I surgically remove all the half dried up arms of "The Thing" . It has been hiding in the basement all winter, away from the critical eyes of Mrs. T, who cares for it naught
By early July it looks much greener and begins to sprout little buds which quickly grow...
and begin to open by mid July.
I couldn't wait to take these pictures, although the blooms are only about half open.
Even Mrs T admits it gorgeous (albeit for "only 2 weeks out of the year.)" Neighbors and strangers stop by on the street and "ask what is it?" "Well, I say, it was a gift years ago from Mary Ann, but I've foregotten. I just call it my giant Christmas Cactus." Then I shrug my shoulders.
Maybe you know???
Maybe you know???
We have them here too and they are georgous but I cannot for the life of me remember what they are called. I will get back to you on it by tomorrow if I do but maybe by then someone has told you the name.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a succulent expert, but it does look like a Christmas cactus, much larger than any I've ever had. I guess the basement winter hibernation agrees with it. I like your new header photo.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what they are - but then I'm not well educated in the matter of flowers. It's beautiful though! I'm just glad to be back after 10 days away and blogging again!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a Christmas Cactus to me. I have one that blooms close to Christmas each year.. Mine has purple blooms.
ReplyDeleteYours is very pretty.
Betsy
That is one amazing plant. The blooms are lovely, whatever it is!
ReplyDeleteMy book has one of these called Easter Cactus or Rhipsalidopsis gaetneri (Epiphyllum gaertneri) flowering time, late spring.
ReplyDeleteI don't have this one, but a few others of the same general type. They will set buds when they have been light and water deprived for awhile. I get blooms during the later fall, early winter. Whenever we go out of town for a week, we turn the heat way down, pull the curtains closed, and, of course, they aren't watered while we are gone. There are tiny buds starting when we get back and then we get the blooms in due time.
I'm guessing you have a spring bloomer whose schedule is enhanced by the basement then outdoor treatment.
Looks like a Christams Cactus to me but like you said - on steroids. Mine have never gotten that big. It is lovely.
ReplyDeleteNo idea, but I think "Christmas Cactus on Steroids" should suffice.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea, but it sure is lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a Christmas cactus. I can say that because I have a Christmas cactus, and I have one of these. Now that you pointed it out the green is similiar to Christmas cactus, but very different at the same time. Never knew that it really did bloom although I had been told it did when I was given it. Now that I have seen yours in bloom I might try to keep mine from looking half dead all the time. It is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing plant! I have NO idea what it is, but it does look "cactus-y." ;-) Good luck on the ID
ReplyDeleteMy mom has two that do the same thing... bloom like crazy in the summer! It's beautiful! Love your little pond too.
ReplyDeletePoor 'Thing', it makes a beautiful display if only for a brief time. Looks like some variety of Schlumbergera but which cultivar it would be hard to pinpoint. Most people like the smaller 'Christmas Cactus' that fits on a window sill. Yours is larger so not nearly as common.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I'm no expert, but this appears to be an "Easter Cactus."
ReplyDeletehttp://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html
This is not a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter cactus. It's long saw-toothed leaves look more like a night blooming cirrus. However, I've only seen them bloom in white. I have my Grandmother's Christmas cactus, (must be at least 75 years old she passed in 1957 - this cactus bloomed for her profusely Christmas on into Spring every year), many Thanksgiving cactus and also several of the Easter cactus. The leaves on all of these are much different and smaller than your beautiful cactus.
ReplyDeleteThis is an Epiphyllum or orchid cactus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyllum
ReplyDelete