The Egyptian Queen ‘Desert Eve’ is now opening. I’m excited. Actually, that’s an understatement. I’m freaking thrilled. Eleven months out of the year I look after my Queens as they go through their rest phase, and growth phase. I watch the new shoots emerge and develop from the active “eyes” at the base of last year’s growth. I begin anticipating the bloom when I see a healthy green sheath emerge at the base of the leaf on the new shoot. When they do bloom, I feel good. They just make me happy to see them every year. I can’t explain I any better than that.
When I photographed Desert Eve this afternoon, she still hadn’t finished unfolding., The petals had not flattened out and the lip was still unfolding. Still, she’s everything I expected. Seven flowers on one plant…..Awesome!!!!! The fourth bud on this shoot has not begun to open yet. This is not unusual. Give it a day or two.
Eqyptian Queen ‘Desert Eve’ is having a grand opening! These three buds are opening at the same time. When I see them in the morning, all three buds will be wide open and flat.
My Egyptian Sisters…..’Inner Fire’ and Desert Eve’. I had to photograph these two together. They have the same parents and came from the same seed pod. They make a great pair. I love them both. The third sister, ‘Black Diamond’ is still developing buds. I expect her to bloom in 8 weeks or so.
