I have several varieties of plants that go by the same common names: "Night Blooming Cereus" or "Queen of the Night." One is Cereus peruvianus, or the "Peruvian Apple Cactus" and another is Epiphyllum oxypetalum, aka "Jungle Cactus" or "Orchid Cactus." Their blooms are similar, but the plants themselves couldn't be more different. Here are pics of several varieties I keep in my greenhouse.
Cereus peruvianus - (aka "Peruvian Apple Cactus", "Night Blooming Cereus" or "Queen of the Night") - a "true" cactus that is found in desert type environments, which can reach heights of 20 feet.
I took these photos on 7/2/07 at about 11:00 PM - there were 11 blooms open, 1 bloom had opened the previous night (closed in these pics), PLUS, there are 7 more buds to go on the other side of the plant!!! Thats 19 BLOOMS TOTAL!!! (Not to mention, there were 2 more that died before opening) And to think I thought the 2 or 3 blooms that opened last year were spectacular! Wish you could have been here - these pics don't do it any justice! It was simply breathtaking!!! Its no wonder people plan parties and wine tastings, etc... around these plants when they bloom! Too bad it only happens once in a while - even then, the blooms only open after dark, and the show stops when the sun comes up...
I took these photos on 7/2/07 at about 11:00 PM - there were 11 blooms open, 1 bloom had opened the previous night (closed in these pics), PLUS, there are 7 more buds to go on the other side of the plant!!! Thats 19 BLOOMS TOTAL!!! (Not to mention, there were 2 more that died before opening) And to think I thought the 2 or 3 blooms that opened last year were spectacular! Wish you could have been here - these pics don't do it any justice! It was simply breathtaking!!! Its no wonder people plan parties and wine tastings, etc... around these plants when they bloom! Too bad it only happens once in a while - even then, the blooms only open after dark, and the show stops when the sun comes up...
Cereus peruvianus
Cereus peruvianus
Cereus peruvianus
Cereus peruvianus
Cereus peruvianus
Cereus peruvianus
Unknown Cereus sp.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum - aka "Orchid Cactus", "Jungle Cactus", "Night Blooming Cereus" and "Queen of the Night".
The Orchid Cactus is closely related to the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera sp.), neither of which are not "true" cacti - they're epiphytes (they grow on trees) that live in humid jungle type environments. They require a LOT of space, and often grow in a tangled mess, therefore, they are well suited for hanging baskets. Like Cereus peruvianus, they only bloom at night, and their flowers close up when the sun comes up - but UN-like Cereus peruvianus, their blooms are HIGHLY fragrant!
The Orchid Cactus is closely related to the Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera sp.), neither of which are not "true" cacti - they're epiphytes (they grow on trees) that live in humid jungle type environments. They require a LOT of space, and often grow in a tangled mess, therefore, they are well suited for hanging baskets. Like Cereus peruvianus, they only bloom at night, and their flowers close up when the sun comes up - but UN-like Cereus peruvianus, their blooms are HIGHLY fragrant!
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
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