Puya in Bloom

 We went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum on Monday to check out the blooms and found as many feathered friends posing for pictures as we did flowers.  We specifically wanted to see if the Puya was in bloom.  It typically blooms every 10 years and apparently the last time it bloomed at BTA was in 2008.  

The bud is about 18-24" long and about 10-12" wide and grows on a stem that is about 7' high.  Its a big sucker.  While it had unfurled a bit on Monday the blossoms were not quite out yet.  Yesterday we heard that it had started to bloom so back we went this morning and sure enough the turquoise flowers were showing their stuff. 

My favourite flower.  Isn't she just so cute in her new hat.  

Yucca in bloom

The Puya in all its splendour.  Looks a bit like a Christmas tree. 

Puya up close. 

This and many other cactus should be in full bloom next week. 

Pollen sacks appear to be full but going in for one more landing before heading home to the hive and see the queen. 

We will go back again next week before we leave as week by week different plants are in bloom.   While many of the flowering plants are now past their peak the cactus seem to be just starting to get showy.