When do night-blooming cereus flowers bloom
This article introduces the blooming season of night-blooming cereus and related topics about the cultivation of this flower, with the following details:
Many families enjoy cultivating night-blooming cereus, whose flowers typically open in the evening, emitting a strong and pleasant fragrance. Let's explore when the night-blooming cereus flowers and why it blooms at night.
The flowers of night-blooming cereus are fragrant and ideal for home planting. However, they should not be kept indoors for extended periods, as they may cause dizziness, coughing, or even asthma and insomnia. Let's take a look at when the night-blooming cereus flowers and why it blooms at night.
When does night-blooming cereus bloom?
Generally, the blooming period of night-blooming cereus is from May to October. The wide range is influenced by factors such as variety, temperature, humidity, soil, and climate differences between the north and south. In the north, the peak blooming season is in late June, while in the south, it is often from August to September due to the high humidity and heat, which are suitable conditions for the cereus to thrive.
Why does night-blooming cereus bloom at night?
1. Night-blooming cereus relies on ugly moths for pollination, unlike other flowers pollinated by bees and other small creatures. Since moths are only active at night, the flower has evolved to be fragrant at night to attract them, showcasing the plant's adaptability to the environment.
2. The stomata of night-blooming cereus behave differently from those of many other flowers. While other flowers close their stomata when the air is humid and open them when it's dry, night-blooming cereus does the opposite. When the air is very humid, its stomata open wide, allowing aromatic substances to disperse more quickly, making the fragrance more intense. At night, without the sun's evaporation, the ground temperature drops suddenly, cold air descends, and humidity increases, making it easier for the night-blooming cereus to open and smell stronger in this moist environment.
Why doesn't night-blooming cereus flower?
1. The flower buds of night-blooming cereus are formed on the bulb the previous year. If the bulb planted is small and hasn't reached the blooming age, it won't flower. Typically, the diameter of the bulb should reach 2.2 centimeters or more, with the primordium of the inflorescence formed internally the previous year, so it can bloom after planting.
2. If the bulb is dug up too late or stored improperly during winter with low temperatures, moisture, or freezing, the flower buds inside the bulb may be damaged by frost or rot, preventing blooming the following year.
3. Digging up the bulb too early may affect the differentiation of the flower buds inside the bulb, resulting in no blooming in the second year after planting.
4. Over-fertilization with nitrogen can lead to excessive stem and leaf growth, resulting in fewer flowers or even no blooming in severe cases.
The above information about when night-blooming cereus flowers and its blooming season is provided for your reference and assistance.