The first time I saw one of these gems, called the Argentine Giant Cactus I was told they bloomed for only 1 day. I was stunned. How could such beauty be so brief? We heard this on the way out of the Phoenix Botancial Garden a few years ago. And they were blooming right now! Of course, we had no option but to return back to see them. And they were indeed stunning. And the next day the flowers were gone!
In one respect we were very lucky in the weird year. The cactuses were blooming about 2 weeks later than they normally do. As a result, in a normal year where we leave for home on the last day of March, we would have seen very few cactuses blooming. That would have been disastrous. As it was, since we left April 15th this year, we got to see a lot cactuses in bloom. Not as many as we would have liked, but disaster was avoided. I did not have to pitch myself off a building.
One disadvantage of looking at cultivated cacti was I often did not know what kind of cacti they were. I have some knowledge about wild cactuses but even less of the exotic ones
I always say I am an orchid guy.and it is true, I am an orchid guy. But I must admit cacti are pretty good too. Sometimes it is cruel how short of time we get to enjoy such beauty. And if you miss it, you must wait a year to redeem yourself.