The photo below was taken last year, April 22, 2016.
A big, beautiful prickly pear that I would always pass on my walks around the neighborhood. And every Spring, I looked forward to the time when its yellow blossoms would appear. The bees liked them, too.
However, this year I noticed that the cactus was surrounded by lots of garbage that no one was ever clearing out. Then one day, much to my dismay, I found that the whole thing had been pulled up and thrown into a heap.
Amazingly, after a couple of months, despite being uprooted, discarded and neglected, I discovered that new pads had started to form.
And some of the old parts that were near the ground had started to root themselves.
Each time I walk now, I bring a piece home. The one above I left in my bathroom on the shelf over the sink and was surprised to find that it had sprouted a new little pad, too.
One of the bigger pieces I brought home had two buds on it and just this past week, I was blessed with one beautiful yellow blossom. It only lasted for a day and I'm still waiting to see what the second bud will do.
Fortunately I always have my crochet version that will forever bloom.
Pattern can be found at Paper & Landscapes.
Have a fabulous Friday!
18 comments:
The cactus was indeed beautiful, and I am sorry someone was so destructive, but very glad that you rescued some of it! Your crocheted cactus is remarkably and beautifully memorable! Happy Friday! xx
As a plant lover, it devastates me to see someone destroy a thing of beauty like that. Thank you for rescuing bits and pieces of it. What a neat flower! And I love the crocheted one! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I believe the cactus was thanking you for the good care that you take of all the plants surrounding you. And to be blessed with the buds is just perfect. I hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Blessings, Betsy
I thought your crocheted cactus was real for a moment. I agree, that blossom is so pretty. I'm glad you were able to salvage some of the cactus.
Horrible, need I say more about the garbage and the abuse to the cactus? Kudos to you for making a good thing out of this mess.
I have a huge Jade plant, very old, as well. When we had the water damage at the lakehouse, I somehow forgot about it. 18 months later we found it in a corner of the garage. Other than a few dried up 'branches and withered leaves, it was ready for another go. Amazing how succulents can resurrect themselves. The leaves store water and the roots draw from that when they aren't treated right. I'm so grateful this strong, giant of a plant is still with me!
You are a good person in all you do in your community, Tammie.
Jane
Nature is so generous. It takes so little for a seed to get taken in, or a neglected cactus to sprout or bloom. SO good you didn't allow it to wither away and die!
What a shame that someone couldn't see the beauty in this cactus. It couldn't be destroyed so easily though and you were there as well to rescue it. Your crocheted version is very lovely as well, Tammy.
xo Julia
That's awful why did they pull it up some people are so destructive but how lovely that the little piece you rescued survived, I love your crochet cactus it looks very realistic I may have to make one too. Have a great weekend. :) xx
It's heartening when plants revive with some love and care, but it's devastating in the first place when an environment is made unsightly and polluted by rubbish so that plants cannot thrive. I cannot understand why anyone would want to damage plants either. Seeing a beautiful bloom is a satisfying reward for saving a piece of the cactus and nurturing it. The crocheted version is cleverly made.
this is a similar story to my next door house. It had 2 trees and lots of bushes and every single thing that was green has gone. It upsets me so much that people do not care for the plants etc but maybe I'm just too sensitive.
Love the crochet cactus.
Briony
x
There is something powerfully inspiring when nature overcomes!!! I LOVE it. Rise up.
I saw that little cactus pattern on Ravelry the other day and thought it was so cute!! blessings ~ tanna
Gorgeous cactus and how devastating to see it treated so horribly. I am amazed at the strength and resilience of that amazing cactus to continue to grow and bloom. You were justly rewarded with such a beautiful blossom. How fun to have your endless crocheted blooming cactus. Happy Month of May Dear...<3
Cacti are so forgiving. I have a few of Sarah's in my little greenhouse outdoors right now which I deem "the plant hospital" hoping to redeem them due to her neglect (or inability to grow most plants, lol). I'm glad yours bloomed for you. :)
Linda
That is so sad! It was such a lovely plant. I like that you have pieces of it. I hope you are feeling better. :) Kit
What a miracle that the cactus is sprouting and flowering. Nature will ALWAYS overcome.
The cactus lives on :) I'm so glad you are being rewarded with blossoms!
I have never understood 'destruction' of beauty....what causes people to not desire beauty and to want to destroy it? Jealousy? Unhappiness? Anger? I can understand if they don't want to create it but to destroy it? This I will never understand.
I can't bear to waste any plant when it still has life in it. Even when I'm pruning, I try to strike cuttings and pot them on for gifts and if it wasn't for my compost heap, I'd feel guilty about casting the prunings aside. Your prickly pear certainly wasn't done with life yet. It will appreciate your love very much I'm sure by rewarding you with beautiful blooms in time. Good for you for rescuing it, especially since it gave you so much joy.
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