How to Identify Flowering Cactus Plants
As desert plants, not all cacti put energy into flowering. Those that do are stunning, with brilliant blossoms on a fat stalk. Learning to identify the types of flowering cacti will take time and patience, backed with careful observation and research.
- Record the shape and the makeup of the cactus. Look for leaves, and if the plant has any, record the details. Note how large the leaves are, their length and whether they spread out or needle-like. Leaves are very useful identifiers for cacti.
- Note the blooming time. Some plants bloom in the day while others only bloom at night. Cereus is a cactus with a large white bloom that only opens in the evening. It closes in the early dawn. Note the time of year that the flowers bloom. Some cacti, like the orchid cactus, bloom only in the summer.
- Record details about the flower. Measure the size and write down the color and shape. These identifiers are unique to varieties of cacti and can help narrow down the choices. Cactus flowers come in a variety of colors including white, red, pink and purple.
- Research cacti online. Search through photos to find a plant similar to the one you are trying to identify. Read blogs devoted to them and enter into online conversations with other cactus lovers. Upload a picture of your mystery cactus and ask if anyone can identify the genus.
- Look at the library. They will have several books devoted to plant identification.