We learned about degree days this summer. We didn’t have enough of them, even though it was so hot for most of the season. A sudden dip in temperatures late August from the mid to high 80s down to the 70s likely delayed Blanca’s blooming. But it was a shift I wasn’t entirely aware of. I thought I’d been pretty clever predicting almost infallibly which night Blanca would bloom. I’d put out the word to friends to come for a party, but by 7 :30 p.m. when bud opening should have begun, nothing had happened. The buds remained sealed shut. I tried again the next night. And the next. Then I had to admit those buds really weren’t large enough to open.
Bill, our tree expert friend reminded us how important degree days are to a plant’s growth. Those accumulated days of heat, a certain minimum that must be maintained for plant development are essential. Farmers watch these measurements carefully as degree days also signal when certain insect pests may become mature enough to damage crops. Then out come the pesticides. No such action here. Just the waiting and watching, and the lesson, once again: stay alert; don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Don’t assume ahead of where the plant actually is.
We’d had a furiously busy events schedule the weekend I thought Blanca would bloom. Anticipating her blooming each night was what got me through each day. Then each night she remained closed actually became something of a reprise. Friday, Saturday, Sunday passed with more inquiring phone calls, and more postponements. “Is she blooming, yet?” friends would ask. “Not yet, ” I’d reply sheepishly. “Maybe tomorrow; tomorrow, for sure,” I’d say attempting to regain my footing. But I didn’t really know what was going on. So we waded through the weekend like this wondering when they’d open. Meanwhile, my credibility and certainty seemed to fade.
Once Monday rolled around, the shop events over, we were rested and ready. And so was Blanca, apparently. She rewarded us and a group of new comers with eight glorious blossoms in one night. We lost track counting in the dazzling display. It was a perfect evening to sit out around the beloved Queen of the Night and enjoy each other’s company. On Tuesday one more bud opened, a quiet coda, just in time for cousin Frank’s visit. Another opportunity to sit at the foot of beauty and realize no matter how frenzied I get, there are moments of calm in the storm. Slow down; be observant; don’t assume, she reminds us. The temperatures had cooled, and Blanca’s blooming held off until I could really appreciate it, in a new way, with new friends. All over again, but still learning something new.
Late Night Bloomer 
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