New Year’s Resolution #11: Get more sleep.

Getting more sleep is an excellent resolution!  We often feel pressured to do too much, burning the candle at both ends.

Unfortunately, this plant might not help us get more sleep (that is, if you want to see its flower). Epiphyllum oxpetalum, commonly known as the night-blooming cereus, only blooms at night! In the days leading up to blooming, the bud gets larger, but it doesn’t open up to reveal its full glory (and strong, sweet scent) until about midnight on the appropriate night. By the time dawn arrives, the flower wilts and droops, its job being complete (that is, to attract a pollinator such as a moth or bat).

How did you score on this resolution in the past year?  Sleep Averages: age 6-12: 9-12 hours, ages 13-18: 8-10 hours, ages 18-60: 7 or more

1 point – I get my full amount of sleep about 2-3 times per week
2 points – I get my full amount of sleep about 4-5 times per week
3 points – I get my full amount of sleep 6-7 times per week