Stepelia - post 2

Not much change yet in our Stepelia

The two buds, the one far right and the one far left, each look a bit more swollen. What do you think?

 Hopefully there is more to come. Stay tuned!

Stepelia gigantea

Facebook is fine for short, "live in the moment" conversations but I'm asking you to stick with me while we see what happens to this Starfish cactus. Watch with me as, over the next few weeks, our Star cactus or Stepelia gigantea is transformed.  At least that's the plan. I am hoping that these buds don't shrivel up as others have in the past. 

Other common plant names are South African star flower or Carrion flower (for reasons we'll understand later). It is even called a Giant toad plant. It is native to the dry arid parts South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe though may be found in some surrounding areas as well.

Today as I sit here on a humid, hazy day in the Ohio Valley, a day that feels more like August than September, I think that Stepelia is out of place here on my porch. Yes, I think that . . . but I know so little . . . for here it thrives as long as I don't water it too often and I take it inside before frost.

Like several of my garden's residents, this plant came to me from Maxine Plum. Maxine & Jean. While visiting her one evening, she said, "Here, I want you to have this." She then, promptly, cut off a "leg" with a little dirt, wrapped it in plastic and sent me home with s tiny plant. the one above is a baby from my original gift.

Here is its mother.

See how the limbs swoop down, grazing the ground? Those "legs" will put out roots and form a new plant.

So, come back next week and see what has happened to our Stepelia.

Stepelia gigantea

A new bloom appeared on our library porch this week. 
Stepelia gigantea  or Starfish cactus finally bloomed.

The bud has been growing since early September and I thought it would never open.

Maxine Plum gave me this plant.  This is the same Maxine who has given me other plants throughout the years.  

Another common name for Stepelia gigantea is Carrion flower.  There is a good reason for that.  If you look closely into the elaborate center of the bloom this is what you see . . . Yes, those are flies. By-the-way, while you are looking closely you should be holding your nose because you'll be smelling the same thing the flies are smelling - rotten meat!


But is you have been smart enough to keep it outside then it isn't so bad.  I have chosen to write on the front porch   this week instead of on the library porch.  I will stand back and safely admire the beauty of Stepelia gigantea. 











The weather is supposed to get down to freezing again this week.  I am hoping not while the flower lasts because that is one flower that will NOT accompany the plant inside.

 To read about my connection to Maxine Plum, please read Maxine & Jean.