Some cactus in bloom
 

Since the summer monsoon rains are coming here in southern Arizona, some of the cactus are coming into bloom. From left to right:
• Astrophytum ornatum (one of the few where the tag survived) – blooms about 2 ½ inches across.
• NOID #1 – I call it the “bad hair day” cactus – blooms about 2 inches across.
• NOID #2 – blooms about 2 inches across.
• NOID Cereus sp. – blooms about 6-7 inches across.
• The Cereus sp. again, the little “patch” of plants.
• NOID Echinopsis hybrid – blooms about 4 inches across.
• Another NOID Echinopsis hybrid – blooms also about 4 inches across.
• NOID mammalaria hybrid – blooms about 1 ½ inches across. This is a sparse bloom for this guy. Usually when it blooms you can only see a ball of pink, the plant is completely hidden by the blooms.
• NOID Trichocereus hybrid – blooms about 5-6 inches across.
• Another NOID Trichocereus hybrid – blooms also about 5-6 inches across.

Some of these cactus blooms are as spectacular as orchids, but unfortunately, they mostly last only a day, sometimes 2 or 3, but never longer. Many of them do bloom sequentially, like Hemerocallis/Daylilies, but the total bloom period is never more than a week or two at best.

At least they thrive in this climate on pretty much NO care. I just have to enjoy them the few times during the year when they are blooming. The rest of the year it’s orchids . . . much better really!

Ed

Oh I love cactus blooms! Some are almost heart breakingly beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!

Cactus blooms are great. I never had any luck with them myself and gave up because the plants are too spiky for me to bother with.

Thanks for sharing your pics :cheer: