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Friday, August 23, 2013

{Our Cereus Oxypetalum Night Blooming Orchid Cactus}

On July 3 in the afternoon, it became evident that our Cereus Oxypetalum Night Blooming Orchid Cactus would open up that very night. Even though in HEAVY RAIN... Perfect for our 237th Independence Day celebration!
This photo I took shortly after midnight in the wee hours of July 4th.
I had moved the entire plant inside our gazebo...
Looks lacy against the Vintage Woodworks ginger bread.
You can tell it is pitch dark outside, I used the ceiling lights in our gazebo.
There were a total of 6 blooms and they are full of rain drops from the torrential rains.
I put the storage container for our cushions on top of the round table in order to place this plant with its trailing blossoms on it.
Again you can see the Vintage Woodworks ginger bread at the top.
Husband Pieter took this photo at 1:45 PM (13:45 o'clock) in the rain.
Can you imagine that in ten hours time they do bud like that?
This is their usual pedestal so their full length can trail down.
In winter they are on the work bench inside our green house.
Again, clad in rain drops and to the right you see our pond.
This photo is taken at midnight, with flash outside... 
It didn't look good so I decided to bring the entire pot inside.
You can see all 6 blooms here.
This photo is a good one, from outside but more close.
Again, now inside our gazebo, after I placed the pot on the storage container on top of the table.
Regardless of the rain, their fragrance was still like perfume in the still midnight air.
 This is a last picture, showing the two top blooms full of tears from heaven...
Hope you did enjoy them!

Related links:
Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) | My Youtube video from this night
{BONUS - Our Epiphyllum oxypetalum re-bloomed!} | previous post by me
{Night Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) Orchid Cactus} | previous post by me
{Epiphyllum oxypetalum buds opening in the evening} | previous post by me
{LOOK how our Epiphyllum oxypetalum buds in only 6 days till THE afternoon...} | previous post by me

60 comments:

  1. they are awesome! glad you got to see them, even with all your rain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      Oh it was worth it going there through heavy rain! Got some nice photos as a memory.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Dear Mariette, thank you so much for sharing this beauty!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Linda,
      Oh, isn't she gorgeous and than to think this is only for ONE night...
      But we should enjoy the little miracles that come our way and treasure the memories.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Dearest Mariette,
    it is always a pleasure to see this night blooming pictures!
    Have a good week, I hope the rain will stop and you do not get water again in your house!
    hugs to you
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Claudia,
      Thanks for your visit and glad you enjoy these Orchid Cactus.
      Yes, we only had to work 3 x last night, instead of staying alert all night. Let's hope the groundwater will recede from now on and no more heavy tropical thunderstorms so the people will get a relieve.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Liebe Mariette,

    PRACHTVOLL!

    Sonnige Grüße
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      DANKE! Und die sonnige Grüße haben uns erreicht!
      Lieber Gruß,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Dearest Mariette,
    Yey, your "Cereus Oxypetalum Night Blooming ORCHID Cactus"☆☆☆ How BEAUTIFUL♬♬♬
    I was about to write a short topic of "Epiphyllum oxypetalum; gekkaijinn; 月下美人", thinking about your beautiful ones, which I remember I've seen in your post long before!!! I was SO surprised to see the coincidence, haha. I wish could see these awesome blooms n person♡♡♡

    Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Yep, kindred spirits for posting about the same subject at the same time! Funny indeed. Oh, these Orchid Cactus are like a dream and their fragrance. Too bad it was pouring down at the time they were blooming. So glad I did bring them inside the gazebo.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Dearest Serena,
      Oh, they sure are! Would be great to create jewelry like them...
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. It is so nice to have this kind of flower blooming even after a heavy rain !
    The Orchid is very sensitive flower and sometimes when friends brought to me as a gift I never could not keep it ...I am glad that you have this wonderful garden !

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Olympia,
      The heavy rain did not seem to bother this Orchid cactus at all as it happily produced six blooms. It is not a real Orchid, just because of the shape of the flowers it is called like that. And besides, Orchids are very easy to cultivate they demand very little and are very rewarding.
      You can read about our Tropical Patio with Orchids in Indonesia here: http://bit.ly/15eu0eK
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Liebe Mariette,
    die Blüten sind einach spektakulär. Und die Regentropfen glitzern wie Brillantschmuck darauf. Wunderschöne Fotos und genau das richtige Highlight für eine SOmmernacht.
    Schöne Grüße, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Johanna,
      Danke, du hast es fast poetisch beschrieben! Aber es stimmt dass sie spektakulär sind und mit ein himmlischer Duft.
      Lieber Gruẞ,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Lieve Mariette,

    Zag deze prachtige bloemen al eens eerder voorbij komen in een filmpje op Youtube,ik vond het toen niet alleen mooi om je te volgen met camera om de bloemen te bewonderen maar je stem te horen is ook zo leuk.

    Je hebt er toch heel wat voor over gehad Mariette om in de pikdonkere nacht met die harde regen naar buiten te gaan om dit allemaal vast te leggen,♥hartelijk♥ dankjewel voor het delen.

    Zag op Kreta ook een zachtroze bloeiende cactus met ongeveer zo'n zelfde bloem maar dat was overdag dus zal wel een andere soort zijn geweest.

    Lieve groet en fijne dag gewenst!!
    Ger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Ger,
      Ja, deze bloemen die verrassen ons sóms twee keer per jaar en het is een waar féést! Ja, met Pieter's Parka aan en de capuchon over mijn hoofd heb ik het gered. Altijd de moeite waard.
      Om iemands stem te horen is inderdaad een verrassing nadat je alleen 'stille' woorden uitwisselde!
      Lieve groetjes van een tot nog toe zonnig Georgia.
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. Hej Mariëtte, het is weer prachtig en bijzonder om te zien. Een hele gebeurtenis elk jaar. Lieve groet,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Willy,
      Ja en dat soms twéé keer per jaar. Het is de moeite waard.
      Lieve groetjes,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. WOW! You have the most wonderful, amazing flowers, dear Mariette!!! I also loved the white Hibiscus from the previous post! What a pity you couldn't enjoy more sunny days this summer... but your flowers are still a joy for the eyes and soul!
    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Anna,
      Thank you for your kind comment. As stated in the 'about' section above this blog: 'Our love for gardening, the botanical way'. This is the result of it!
      Oh, I was finally writing these replies and just had written to Ger: 'greetings from a sunny Georgia' and it started pouring down again. I regret for having said that, it almost looks like a curse!
      We finally could sleep last night, be it with 3 x making the rounds for emptying the wet vac etc.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Dearest Mariette,
    These are so beautiful that, at times, I wonder that they are real. I love white flowers at night; they look so elegant against the dark. And what are what look like little houses hanging from the eaves?
    I am hoping that I will have at least a few moon flowers this year. I had two plantings that rotted and washed out in our summer rains. I broke down and bought a few pots in hopes that there will be time for them to grow.
    My toes are crossed that the rain will stop and that you have not had any damage to your pretty house, indoors and out.
    Take care.........*s*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Suzi,
      Thank you for your compliments and yes, they almost look surreal. Hanging from the gingerbread those are bird feeders. One is for the blue birds with plexiglass on the sides. We put mealworms inside.
      Oh we had once an entire hedge made up from moonflowers; they are gorgeous too!
      We don't have any damage to our home, only the bridges so far. But it is aggravating for not being able to go to bed and keeping watch for the water. We are not the only ones here. It is pouring down again as I write this, we did have a lovely day and I even could make some photos outside!
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. I used to have one like that when I lived on the farm. They are so spectacular. The plant is quite an unassuming plant isn't it.?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kay,
      Indeed, the cactus itself would never suggest that it bears such extraordinary orchid like blooms! Very rewarding.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Hello Mariette, The night-blooming cereus is truly a miracle of beauty. One of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Enright, once wrote a story about waiting for a night-blooming cereus to open, but I had never looked up its appearance. Thank you for these dramatic photographs.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jim,
      Oh, that story is so understandable as there is hardly anything more beautiful including its perfume. Very rewarding for waiting till midnight and than admiring them and capturing their beauty on camera. In reality it is much better still.
      Glad you enjoyed viewing them and you are more than welcome!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Liebe Mariette,
    ein Prachtstück - ein wahres Wunderwerk der Natur.
    Ich bin beeindruckt und freue mich, dass du es mit uns
    teilst. Auch mit Regentropfen sind sie bezaubernd.
    Liebe Grüße schickt Dir
    Irmi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Vieleicht sind sie mit diesen Regentropfen sogar noch schöner geschmückt. Danke für deine Wörter!
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Dear Mariette,wow!What a beautiful flower!!I have'nt seen it before!!
    Wonderful pictures!!!Is it raining all the time in Georgia?I always see droplets on the flowers!!Have a lovely evening!!Hugs!!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      Thank you for your 'wow' reaction! Usually it is not raining all the time but this summer YES. It is awful and also for the flowers it is very hard to survive.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Dearest Mariette,
    These flowers seem like they cam from the Heavens above. Your photography is also perfect. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Munir,
      Thanks for your kind words. They look like something surreal and from the Heavens indeed! Glad I went through the rain for capturing them.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Oh my goodness, Mariette, the flowers and photographs are really beautiful! Stunning white flower in the dark night and rain drops shining. So breathtaking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      Thank you for your compliments. It was such a reward for finding this beauty during our rainy summer.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. I think that the photo of your house is the new one, it looks absolutely great Mariette!Well done!These flowers, I know them, they are really lovely, I particularly love the white flowers.Great photos with the contrast of colors and the rain in spot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Olympia,
      It is not a new home but only the exterior got painted; it looks like new... Thanks for your compliment!
      We too love white flowers, they look magical.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. Prachtig Mariette!
    Wat n prachtbloemen, en heel bijzonder!
    Lieve groet,
    Nicole

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Nicole,
      Ja, dit zijn heel bijzondere en prachtige bloemen. Al is het voor maar één nacht...
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  21. Szkoda, że ten cudowny kwiat tak krótko kwitnie. Może jednak w tym też jest jego urok. Pozdrawiam.
    It is a pity that this wonderful flower blooms so short. But perhaps this is also its charm. Yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Grazyna,
      In a way it is a pity yes, for only one night such tremendous beauty...
      Maybe it teaches us in a way to enjoy the MOMENT!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  22. Dear Mariette,

    How beautiful your Orchid Cactus is and thank you for getting up in the wee hours to show us this beauty. It looks so beautiful against the white of the gazebo.
    So sorry to hear that you have had flooding there - hope you get some better weather, so everything can dry out.

    Happy day
    hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Carolyn,
      Thank you for your comment and compliments. Of course I would get up for admiring this beauty! Today was sunny up until 6:00 PM and the rain started. We do hope we can dry out soon. Farmers will not be able to harvest anything off their fields; all flooded and or muddy...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  23. Weer zo'n bijzondere bloem! Jullie hebben heel wat gevarieerde bloemen!
    Is de zondvloed voorbij?

    Groeten Janny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Janny,
      Dit is een hele mooie exoot inderdaad en qua variëteit hebben we heel wat, al is er veel doodgegaan in 2011 van de droogte. Nú verzuipt alles... We zijn er nog niet door, het regende weer om 18:00u en dus nog niet veel kunnen opdrogen buiten. Laten we hopen dat het eens genoeg zal zijn!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  24. Dearest Mariette,
    Your love for garden the botanical way but against the dark in winter in the rain drops to the right your pond.
    They are gorgeous too.
    Next years few moor flower I hope mour FLOWERS this years too and your photo with Husband Pieter has lovely photos few moor photos all the time.
    I don't have my golfing still raining days.
    Hugs and love to alawys!
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Michiko,
      Thanks for your visit and kind words.
      So sorry that you too have rainy days and thus you cannot play golf.
      Hugs and love to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  25. Dearest Mariette, Rarely is this beauty seen. I think is is one of the most beautiful of flowers. Your's is doing so well. I just checked my but no buds. Do you use any special fertilizer on them.
    Love to you, Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ginger,
      Thank you for your compliments! No, we don't use any fertilizer on them. They are inside our greenhouse during winter and in the spring, through the fall they just sit on that pedestal in the garden... Their reward is great!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  26. What a wonderful flowers at the cactus. We never managed to have some here. Sometimes we watch them in Artis the Zoo in Amsterdam which has a big greenhouse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Marianne,
      Thank you, they indeed are wonderful flowers.
      Oh, a blogger friend, Johanna from Silber+Rosen does have one in Germany. She keeps hers in a greenhouse too. You can read about hers here: http://silber-rosen.blogspot.de/2012/07/nachtliche-uberraschung-nightly.html
      Happy weekend to you.
      Mariette

      Delete
  27. Oh was für eine PRACHTVOLLE Blüte!!!
    Wunderschön ist sie, dafür bleibt man gerne etwas länger wach :o))
    Alles Liebe aus Rostrosenhausen,
    Traude ✿ܓ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Traude,
      Ja, für so etwas kann man immer wach bleiben!
      Lieber Gruẞ und schönes Wochenende,
      Mariette

      Delete
  28. Beautiful flowers and I love white flowers.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Elna,
      White is our favorite color but we don't have all white in our garden. These are so exotic and so beautiful!
      Hugs and happy weekend.
      Mariette

      Delete
  29. Dearest Mariette,

    So rare shot.They are beautiful flowers. so lucky to have them for sure.
    have a good weekend

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ayu,
      Thank you for paying me a visit!
      They are so beautiful, exotic beauties and especially with all that rain they made us happy.
      Enjoy a great new week.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  30. Wat een prachtige bloemen Mariëtte, vooral de laatste met de regendruppels vind ik zo mooi.
    Gelukkig dat het bij jullie nu ook mooi weer is en je kan genieten van het buitenleven.
    De cloche is van metaal en de afmeting valt wel mee, ik kon deze in de outlet voor een mooi prijsje meenemen anders had deze nog wel een tijdlang op mijn lijstje gestaan.
    Ik wens je een fijne dag/avond, ben steeds in de war met het tijdsverschil hihi.
    Lieve groet, Mea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Mea,
      Ja, dank je wel en inderdaad maken de regendruppels ze nóg mooier! We genieten nog van volop zon; heerlijk dat het kan opdrogen in de tuinen overal. Laten we hopen dat we het nu achter de rug hebben.
      Fijn dat je de cloche gunstig op de kop kon tikken; het is een mooie.
      Wij komen 6 uurtjes ná jullie dus jullie tijd is vóór!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...