Blooming this week

Except for Wednesday, when it was partly sunny and nearly 70 degrees F, it has been a dreary week here among the leaves. So, I went hunting around the house for some cheerful plant life. Here are some pictures of the few things that have been blooming (or, in one case, has been preparing to bloom) during the past few days:

A Schlumbergera 'Thor Alex' bloom nestled in the leaves of a Phalaenopsis orchid. You can see its own foliage to right.

A Pelargonium still blooming on my front porch. I ought to bring it indoors one of these days.

NoId Aloe cultivar blooming in the basement under lights. A bit sparse perhaps, but still nice.

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii (or maybe G. stenopleurum) in bloom

The same cactus with a better view of the plant. I have seen Gymnos of this color grafted, as with the yellow and red varieties, but this one is clearly thriving on its own. It has flowered (usually more than once) all three summers that I've owned it.

Astrophytum asterias. It has two flower buds, but they will probably bolt, as they did last year when I brought the plant in for the winter. I am keeping my fingers crossed, though. It did bloom during the summer.

As usual, all pictures open larger when clicked. I especially recommend looking at the first Gymnocalycium picture, as well as the photo of the Astrophytum, in their larger versions.