Growing a Kadupul flower plant
The Kadupul flower, often revered as the "Queen of the Night," is a botanical marvel whose beauty is as elusive as it is captivating.
Scientifically known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum, this exquisite cactus species is indigenous to the rainforests of Sri Lanka and parts of South America, though it is cultivated worldwide by dedicated enthusiasts.
What makes the Kadupul truly legendary is its extraordinary blooming pattern. For most of its existence, it appears as an unassuming, flat-stemmed epiphyte. Then, without warning, slender buds emerge, swelling with a promise that electrifies the air.
The grand spectacle, however, is reserved for the nocturnal hours. As dusk settles, watch is kept, for the pure white, star-like petals unfurl slowly, majestically, only in the deepest silence of night.
This magnificent transformation typically lasts a mere few hours, from midnight until the first rays of dawn kiss the horizon. By sunrise, the flower wilts, its delicate beauty fading as swiftly as it appeared, leaving behind only the memory of its ethereal presence.
During its brief reign, the Kadupul releases an intoxicating, sweet fragrance – a perfume so potent and enchanting that it alone is worth the long wait and late vigil.
In Sri Lanka, the flower holds profound spiritual significance. It is believed to be the dwelling of mythical Nagas, serpent-like celestial beings, and its transient bloom is often associated with impermanence and the divine.
To witness a Kadupul blossom is considered a rare blessing, a fleeting glimpse into nature’s most exquisite and ephemeral artistry, reminding us of the preciousness of beauty that dares not linger.