Our Cereus is riddled with blooms again.
I counted 18, maybe 19. It started out with over 20 but many of the buds didn’t finish forming before they dried out.

I probably could’ve paid more attention while this plant was blooming but everything just happened so fast.

4-18-09 – This stalk started sprouting last year, maybe early Autumn?

4-28-09 – 10 days later, a flower.

5-25-09 – Then I forgot about it and a month later, all this happened.

I don’t know what these are called but the blooms are very fragrant.  This little bunch has been sitting in our study for a week and the whole room smells so nice.

A few months after giving the orchids a good ass freezing, I’ve learned a thing or two from my charges.

Listen, that was pretty egregious treatment but we’ll forgive your transgression this time.

They’re not orchids, they’re pansies. 45 degrees was perfect.

We have no knowledge of the previous tenant. We have nothing to do with their disappearance. Keep the water coming though.

*Not available for comment.

While my parents were out of town, my dad entrusted his beloved orchids to me for two weeks. Clearly this was a mistake as they have all but frozen. In my overzealous attempt to save natural resources and a few bucks (I got the bill, I saved about $50), I may have done these poor plants in. I don’t know if they’ll make it but my dad’s been trying to revive them ever since he got back. They sure look pitiful don’t they? At least now I know their threshold for cold tolerance: not 45 degrees Fahrenheit!