Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Here, it's the kind of day when a bright splash of colour feels good . Yesterday afternoon, I finally washed all the dust, dried slush and build-up of dried mud off my car - driving the gravel backroads transforms ones vehicle in the blink of an eye, whether mud or clouds of dust. As always when I do this, the weather has changed from beautful sunshine yesterday to overcast dreariness today. There is also snow in the forecast for some of the upcoming days. This is another photo from my archives - this time, this beautiful Easter Cactus flower has no waterdrops on its long, narrow petals. Taken at home on 3 May 2010. "The Easter Cactus is Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri. In some respects it is superficially similar to Schlumbergera (Christmas Cactus). However, it blooms only once each year, in April (about Easter) and its flower is very different. It is not nearly as popular as the Schlumbergeras because it is rather more difficult to grow well, and it has the disconcerting habit of shedding its phylloclades (stem segments) at the slightest draught, or whenever over- or under-watered. It may refuse to bloom for no apparent reason. Enthusiasts tend to lose patience with this one, which is a pity, because it is quite magnificent in spite of all that." cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatiora_gaertneri

Another photo of one of my Easter Cactus flowers - so different from the flowers of the Christmas Cactus. Later: just realized that, all being well, I should be going on a strenuous, full day hike tomorrow (as long as it doesn't rain), so thought I'd better add my Happy Mother's Day wishes to all of you now, instead of when I get back late tomorrow. Hope you have a happy day! cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html