If cacti flowers are pollinated by insects active during the day, the flowers are open during daylight hours. Prickly Pear cacti blooms open in daylight and close at night. Their blooms are open fully between noon and 4:00 PM, then they start closing up to prevent too much moisture evaporation. If a cacti or succulent is pollinated by nocturnal insects, they open at night. Mother Nature really is amazing!
@dide@cindymc@gijsje@beryl@alijchapman
Thank you so much! I have not been able to learn how many days the blossoms stay on the cactus. They open and close every day, and eventually fall off leaving the pear to ripen. The cactus itself can live longer than 20 years!
That is fascinating to know about these cactus flowers. Guess we're way too wet to have many survive here, but I remember seeing some pretty ones in western Colorado when I'd visit my daughter. Thank you so much, Lou Ann, for all the comforting messages you've written me this week - when times get rougher, I go back and reread them - you all are wonderful!
@lynnz@lynnz@carolscho@kwind@ziggy77 Thank you for the great comments and fav's! I actually thought I darkened it too much but that showed the petal wax, so it was a good tradeoff.
@milaniet We are sure thinking of you and hopeful for peace and comfort as the days and weeks go by. So nice to have this beautiful, caring site to bring good thoughts to you!
Thank you so much! I have not been able to learn how many days the blossoms stay on the cactus. They open and close every day, and eventually fall off leaving the pear to ripen. The cactus itself can live longer than 20 years!