I know to our American friends in some parts of the U.S. that cactus plants are nothing unusual at all. However, here in the U.K. the weather does not permit the growing of them out of doors (although if they are right about our climate, that could all change).
I have always had a fascination with them. I used to have a very large collection years ago when I could devote time to them and did not mind being in a hot greenhouse. Now I only have a couple.
About eight years ago I purchased an Opuntia (prickly pear). It consisted of one pad and was very small. Each year I re-potted it, made sure it got plenty of sun and little water. Every summer brought a couple more pads and nothing else. I had hoped that one day it would flower for me.
About three weeks ago I saw some little growths on the top pads. I did not know whether they were yet more pads growing but had a feeling that this might just be the year and..........................I was right. It has come into flower at long last. I am delighted with it. As you can see, there are plenty more to come out yet.
A long wait but very worthwhile in the end. Cacti have such wonderful blooms. No signs on my other specimen yet but you never know.
I just do not know what is happening to summer this year. Even yesterday when it was bright and sunny we had very strong winds. Today it is chilly, gloomy and overcast and they forecast a wet and windy weekend as well. Dean was unable to help with the trees last Sunday as he had hurt his back and it is planned for this coming weekend but if the forecast is correct they are not going to get done.
We are just not getting the weather for the flowers to do their best and the Geraniums around the pond are not putting on the growth that they should. Even whilst I am writing this the skies are growing darker and darker and it looks as if it is going to pour with rain very soon.
Mike took another photo of the front of our home the other evening just as the sun was going down. It does look nice with all the plants, they seem to be doing better out there because they are more sheltered than the ones at the back. It looks quite tropical!
I am happy that you all liked our new windows and door. We are still over the moon with them.
Well, that is about all for today. I hope you are all well and happy. Next time I have some nice new photos of Nathan and Daniel to share with you.
Love,
35 comments:
Everything looks so pretty...thanks for sharing your photos with us...many hugs and love,
Joyce
I love cactus blooms, there are pretty. I have 2 plants that bloomed this year tha never have. I guess it is all the rain. Your house is lovely.
Julie
Those Cactus flowers are lovely such a vibrant shade of yellow, mm yes the weather is somewhat disappointing very overcast here now. You front garden looks great and with the sun just setting shows off the new windows to their best advantage.
Take care
Yasmin
xx
How lovely your home is, with all the plants in bloom. You two have
green thumbs for sure. I have never had cacti but the beautiful
blooms make me want some. Have a great day with many blessings.
Pat
I have a money plant, i dont know its technical name but you can break pieces off, replant it and it grows into another plant so ive been growing them all over the place, Jordans one looks great.Its part of the cactus family.I like the ones that looks like a stone, too.Your garden does look lovely, take care Beckie x
Loved the prickly pear flowers............such pretty blooms! Your garden is looking wonderful too, with all the flowers. Our weather today is very much like yours.....miserable! It has stopped raining now, but is overcast and gloomy. It is June, isn't it? Eileen x
Loved the prickly pear flowers............such pretty blooms! Your garden is looking wonderful too, with all the flowers. Our weather today is very much like yours.....miserable! It has stopped raining now, but is overcast and gloomy. It is June, isn't it? Eileen x
Great pics! I have always loved Cacti, being from TX I am used to them, but love all the different kinds.
Hugs,
Sugar
the cacti blooks are beautiful! Enjoy your day.
Missie
I meant to type your cacti blooms look beautiful!
Missie LOL
I love your flowers, touch of beauty. You have a lovely home.
Oh, I love your cactus and your home and lawn looks lovely! How nice to see where you live =)!! Have a good rest of the week, sweets! Love, Val xox
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Well done on the cactus...it is gorgeous. I have not had much luck with mine but now I won't give up. Your home looks lovely.
xx
Lisa
Your Home look's like a photograph from the "Better Homes And Gardens" magazine. Beautiful!
Tia
Hey Jeannette we have been to the garden centre again today and bought some cacti plants ,Yours is wonderful ,and what a lovely reward for all your nuturing ,dear little yellow flowers ,Yes isnt our weather strange do hope its fine on Sunday ,Look forward to the pictures of your little fellows ...love Jan xx
Our weather is cloudy and cool here right now. It seems like October not June. Your cactus is georgeous! I've never had one to bloom or to live that long. Your plants all look lovely. 'On Ya' - ma
Oh Jeannette, the catus flowers are just beautiful! You know, I think there are some cacti that do not bloom every year. You've obviously taken good care of this one. When we are down south, I'm always looking at the catus...I once had a "hairy old man" catus & I loved it. Our weather is the same..windy, cool, overcast & sometimes sunny but still hasn't been warmer than about 74*. I had to get my old flannel nightgown out again. Looking forward to N & D pictures. Linda in WA
So Purdy!
Nancy
Hi Jeanette, After the last 10 horrendous days I have had I am glad that tonight I felt like poppng in to see what others had been up to. Your lovely photogaphs have cheered me up no end. Everything is looking so good especially that lovley catci. Love Sybil xx
Hi Jeannette your cactus is a lovely shade of yellow ,bet you were surprised when it flowered...my friend had some lovely cactus that had unusual flowers on .Your photos are good ...Hope you are keeping well .....love Jeanxx
Hi...well you have me very interested just now...I have some cactus...and only the christmas and tgiving bloom...but they do every year...supposed to LOL...but the "pads" as you call them...I am going to get some...and hope I am as patient as you have been...what a reward...beautiful pics and flowers...and your house...oh it is lovely...looks like something out of a picture book...you both can be proud of it all...hope the weather doesn't get too bad...just a nice rain for it all...our sumer is quite different also...past few days down in the low seventies...not usual for June around here...take care...God Bless...hugs...Ora in Kentucky
Jeanette, the front of the house is beautiful. New windows really made a difference.
Congratulations on the cactus bloom, you deserve it.
Stay well and happy and enjoy the summer in spite of the lousy weather we all seem to be having,
I am adding a question....PS....what type camera do you have...it takes marvelous pic...so clear...even during the rain and overcast....wow is all I can say...would you mind giving this info out to me??? thanks...hugs...Ora in KY
((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))))Very pretty.I love the pad plant.
Lucky you to have your cactus bloom. You make me want to try my hand at it again
Sandra
Prickly Pear grows wild and is a protected species here in KS. Some places, they have nearly taken over. About 20 years ago, I went to Camp Fire Day Camp with my daughter. It was a bit difficult finding a place to spread our ground cloth.
;^) Jan the Gryphon
Your yard is gorgeous!
It does take a while for the cactus flower to show itself. But you have a beautiful specimen there, my folks have one in their yards that stands over nine foot tall with pads sticking out all over, at twilight it looks as though arms are reaching out to get you! I have nightblooming cereus cactus that just flowered this week the flowers are saucer size and dayglow white...just beautiful. It climbs up our Pine Tree about 35 high. I think your front looks wonderful....love, Sandi
Jeannette your cactus is beautiful such pretty flowers ~ and Love the Photograph Mike has taken of your home ~ your new windows look great and such a lovely garden full of flowers ~ look forward to seeing pictures of Nathan and Daniel ~ Ally x
Love the prickly pair. I used to have a collection of cacti as well. My prize was a Christmas cactus. When that bloomed it was beautiful. I can appreciate your excitement.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
Jeanette love the pictures of your home and the lovely essense of all of your flowers, so pretty. The cactus plant blooming is gorgeous. The beauty of your home and yard and flowers should be on the cover of a Home and Garden magazine, I love it. Have a great day your way. Arlene (AJ)
Love the catus flowers! They are so pretty. Also your house, it reminds me of Florida where i grew up. It looks like it would fit in very well down there.
~Rosemary
Oh those cacti blooms are wonderful. So worth the wait! Linda
that is one beautiful cactus. and i love the pic of your house and lawn area. it looks so cozy and welcoming. (((((((hugs)))))))
Love ya,
Cindy xoxoxo
The cactus is beautiful........ i had quite a few ....but over the years they have all died on me. My daughter brought some cute ones in pretty pots in Homebase the other day and very reasonably priced too.
The front of the house looks beautiful. Weather here is all over the place again..... have been expecting rain which didnt arrive even though the sky was blue one moment and grey the next, couldnt make up its mind what it wanted to do. Well today was bright then overcast this morning now we have rain...... ho hum...guess it saved having to water the garden.
Have a lovely Sunday
hugs
Jayne
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