Some of the Night Blooming Cereus have bloomed....Thirteen, in one night. This year I not only took pictures of this extraordinary thing, but some Video, too.....Here are three of these little Videos.....The first one was taken close to 7pm the night they were opening.....
The second one was taken just about Midnight, when these flowers were wide open....It is rather dark, but it is the best I could do without shining a light on them and possibly scaring them into thinking it was Daylight!!! (lol)
The third Video was taken the next morning....almost 12 hours later...And they were completely closed up, which is what they do. One night, once a year.....That is it. And if you miss it, well then....you have to wait another year to catch this amazing "happening"! I said it on the video...These flowers are Magical. In point of fact, they are 'Other Worldly'.....
And then....here are some actual still pictures of these Beautiful Flowers....They are truly special...I would go so far as to say...They Are Some of the Most Spectacular Blossoms I Have Ever Seen, In My Life!
I had to use my flash on these because otherwise they would not have shown up, at all! Luckily, it was only for a second, so these beautiful blossoms to did get scared and close up, thinking it was daytime....
This particular blossom was right next to the Lamppost....And though the lamp was on, they use rather dark bulbs up here in the hills---They have almost an orange tinge to them, so, again.....I had to use my flash.
The most blossoms that I could get in one shot was the one above....Eight of the thirteen. As you can see, the plant that they are on is a very skinny one....Who would believe that such big blooms could be on such a thin plant.....
There are some more of these blooms that will open, but I don't think there will be that many in one night, anymore this year.....And just so you can get an idea of where these flowers start, look at this, below
This little Fuzz Ball above, turns into this stunning flower below......
And this one, too......
I've had this plant for 22 years and each and every year I am awe struck by these gorgeous blossoms.....
More To Come......
- had this to say:
Naomi, they are just magnificent, and I am so glad you caught them in both video and photos.
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 5:34:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh Naomi, Thank goodness you didn't stay indoors all day!!
Imagine all that effort for one night of glory.- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 6:52:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I'd never heard of these before. How wonderful to witness these special moments in Creation.
Thanks for sharing the pics and video.
Cheers.- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 7:15:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Terrific photos! I hope you'll blossom that well next time!! xx
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 7:55:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Just amazing, truly magical this Night Blooming Cereus, Naomi! Great videos and photos! You did a good job here!
Have a nice weekend!
Big hug!- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 9:23:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Those are stunning. What a clever idea for a post to show those three videos. You have such an eye for these things Naomi. Well done!
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:21:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
What a natural magic moment we are witness too - this was so beautiful and the moving when it was blooming came out very well Naomi. Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a great end to your week :-)- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:18:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi,
Thank you so much for showing me that beautiful flower. I have never heard of it before. And how wonderful of you to video it for me to view as well as the wonderful photos of them.
I am at a lose for words, except to say, thank you, thank you, and thank you again....
Ann- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 12:05:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
how amazing!
doesn't God have a fabulous imagination! *grin*- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 12:43:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It never ceases to amaze me that there are flowers that only bloom at night..!! I remember these but it's still simply amazing! Great shots as always Naomi!!
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 1:50:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
today, as I lokk from my sisiter's rooftop patio garden, I can see past century city and all the way up to the Getty, you must be up there somewher.. please could you gooutside and wave???
tonight I head back up to big bear to care for my own plants, and bird. it been a nice break, here at the beach.
Always love your pictures....- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 2:06:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Those are so beautiful it kind of made my stomach hurt, like I'd had too much sugar. Oh, Naomi, thank you so much for sharing this. (hugs)
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 6:01:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
So, how do you know they're about to bloom or was it just a matter of being out there every night for a week??
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:11:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Those are some spectacular photos of those lovely flowers!
- Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11:26:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
How amazing are those flowers, flowering at night? You've captured nature wonderfully again.
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 1:00:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I had never seen anything like these night bloomers. I can't believe this happens only once a year! Amazing! You're introducing us to a whole new world! Thanks for the before and after footage! It's excellent!
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6:14:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful display! I have had a night bloomer since my high school Horticulter class. My mother and I kept them till she passed a couple years ago and now i have them back and her thanksgiving cacti also. A few years ago I was given some different cuttings and one was a cacti that I thought I was killing , well it is like your cacti. this year a little fuzzy nott appeared and then it grew. Well, I was so enveloped with the bloom buds of my other night bloomer, I missed my madusa's bloom!! :( I called it Madusa because of the way it went crazy in the pot I planted it in. Your Buds, blooms and all are really amazing. Come visit my display. I took the photoes with my camera phone, I need a new way to capture these amazing blooms.
Salute!- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 6:28:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I have never ever seen this before and imagine blooming at night!! so cool and you snap these at night??? Don't forget your beauty sleep pal :D
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 9:07:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
I love these flowers so much! Ours had not bloomed for a few years, but bloomed in May so beautifully. It happened to be the night/day when we had a cold spell and it was rainy and overcast the morning after they bloomed, so they stayed open several more hours than I thought they would. But I do love these and they are definitely magical!
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 9:49:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Naomi.......these are stunning photos! I have never heard of this flower before, and I LOVE the story behind them.....one night of blooming and then pffft..... It does seem otherworldly.
thank you so much for sharing the night of the blooms.....- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 5:11:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Very cool pix, Naomi! I've never see those kinds of flowers before.
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 5:35:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
They are beautiful Naomi! I had one of these plants and it was so awesome to see it open so lovely and then the next morning there it was closing and hanging down. Truly amazing plant!!
- Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 5:54:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
These blossoms are INCREDIBLE! I have never seen such a thing before. You took great videos and photos, well done!
So if these flowers are only open one night, they must be expecting to be pollenated by some kind of night flying insects, perhaps moths? There wouldn't be bees out at night. I'll have to do an internet search to find out more!
Thanks for introducing me to these gorgeous and fascinating blooms, Naomi!- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:41:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
As one who feels much more vibrant and playful after the sun starts going down I have nothing but respect for these "night bloomers"!
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 9:51:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Utterly amazing is the phrase that kept going through my head as I watched your video and heard you explain these very mystical flowers! Imagine! They only bloom ONCE a year for such a short time. I was not familiar with these at all, so thank you so much for sharing them with us, Naomi.
I couldn't help but think of them symbolically as SO similar to life......."One brief, shining, moment!"
Yes...these are truly amazing!
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:03:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh, they are gorgeous! What sumptious large blooms and so beautiful. It's incredible that such an unassuming looking plant could bloom like this. Your photos and videos are wonderful. I particularly love the close ups :)
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 1:15:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Another magical show. Thank you for staying up to catch their Cinderslla moment. Such a glorious moment and they look so sad and folorn at the end. Bit like life really:)
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 3:39:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I love that I get a zoology or botany lesson whenever I visit! ;) You'll have to visit the boys' site sometime. Number 2 is his old self. We like to think that is a good thing! LOL!
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 4:37:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
That is amazing, I have never seen them before.
ONE NIGHT ONLY is running through my head now lol- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 5:46:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It's amazing that those little fuzzy things become those splendid flowers! You really did capture them this time in all their glory.
It is so odd that they only last one night per year.
It makes them rare and even more special.- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 7:56:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Glorious. Nature never sleep. What a pity that these bloom at night and no one to enjoy them...but there is one...who did! Thank you Naomi. You're a wonderful person to be sharing these with us.
- Monday, July 21, 2008 at 11:55:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
What an interesting flower!
People always comment on my little "ice plants", they are a succulent and mine has the hot pink fringe-y flowers. They open up in the day and close back up at night - most people don't realize they do that.- Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 2:58:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Lovely flowers ... but the bees are freaking me out!
- Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7:54:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I'm glad I found my way back here thanks to Pat's blog. Once again, you've reminded me to enjoy the small things around me --outside my window. You've had such a rich life. I enjoyed the bees, the hawks and Huckleberry Farm.
Bravo!- Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 4:34:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Honestly, that first close-up and the ones that followed brought tears to my eyes. Such an exquisite beauty.
- Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 10:22:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Hey Naomi, I have one night blooming plant and it only has about five blooms each year. If I don't go out back the early morning of the bloom and miss it...it's so disappointing to miss it. But it is really amazing that it only blooms once like that. Your garden is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.
- Friday, July 25, 2008 at 11:11:00 AM PDT
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