Scarlet Surprise
I don’t pay enough attention to this orchid cactus, even though it makes its presence felt in the house, to remember when it blooms, but the two huge scarlet flowers that opened yesterday were quite a surprise.
This epiphyllum lives on an old black kitchen step stool so that the 3+ foot long drooping stems have sufficient room.
The stool is near a big south window and gets lots of light. Our house just naturally gives it the right temperature range. At this time of the year the room is about 70 degrees during the day, and is at least 10 degrees cooler at night. In the winter the temperatures routinely go to 50 degrees.
I water it when I remember and almost never give it fertilizer.
I have repotted it a couple of times which is a big job. I’m not very gentle, but the plant seems to come through each time. Even though the flowers are so big and exotic, this plant is not a prima donna.
Hooray for bold easy plants.
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By Rose, April 9, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
I agree–easy plants are the best! Of course, it sounds like you have just the right environment for this orchid as well.
Enjoyed all your “L’s” for Wednesday–lots of lovely flowers begin with L. I can’t wait for the lilacs to bloom myself, but I hope they wait until it warms ups:)
By Commonweeder, April 10, 2009 @ 7:36 am
Rose, I’m watching the lilac buds swell, but it will be a while before they open. I hope you’ll be sure and visit here during Rose Season at the end of June.
By Celeste, April 10, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
Beautiful blossom. We call them Christmas Cactus in England because they (in theory) always flowered at Christmas, ours always came out in January! My Mum had a beautiful pink one.