Question

Nightblooming Cereus   Night blooming Cereus.
I have recently inherited this plant and it is sprouting shoots over 2 feet long!
Do the flowers bloom from the shoots, or the ends of the leaves?  and should I cut back the long shoots to get it to bloom?

Thank you for any help you can give me on this!

Dale

Answer
Hi Dale,

Those really long shoots are floral shoots.  In nature, these plants are pollinated by bats and moths.  So by putting the flowers on long shoots and making them sort of stick out, it is easier for the pollinators to find them.  

If you want flowers, do not cut the shoots off.  After the plant flowers, the shoots will dieback and you can remove them.  But, for now you will just have to wait.  Enjoy the blooms!

--Jen