Four stapelia gigantea flowers have opened now with the first to open (on the right) starting to fold back up already. Do hope the sarracenia directly below will be having a feast of flies.

The one on the left at the bottom appears to be starting to open. It is a tangle of stapelia gigantea flowers & they have not all opened yet.

These three stapelia gigantea flowers are all wrapped up in each other.



In the second pic it shows, down in the shade, another stapelia gigantea flower which has just opened. That is now three that have opened today. A fly is showing interest in the bud down on the right.

The flies are starting to gather at the stapelia gigantea flowers. Luckily, there does not seem to be many flies around at the moment.

The third stapelia gigantea flower to open today. It is right underneath the shelf.

The stapelia gigantea & friends.



A fourth stapelia gigantea flower has opened today. The flies are being driven crazy with the enticing smells.



The two new stapelia gigantea flowers hanging underneath the shelf.

A fly being enticed to pollinate the stapelia gigantea flower.



Close up of two of the stapelia gigantea flowers.

Stapelia gigantea flowers. There was a total of four which opened today with six altogether. The one on the right has finished.

The next day. These flowers do not last long which is a shame considering all the energy expended on growing them. Stapelia gigantea have rather large flowers for such a relatively small plant. The flowers are 30cms (12ins) across.

The flowers are wilting, although at least one is still fully open. They are starting to look like a Salvador Dali painting.



In the second pic, which was taken a couple of days later, the six stapelia gigantea flowers have definitely finished. They look very surreal.

One of the two stapelia gigantea buds around at the side of the plant, has opened. It is squished in too. The following day the second bud opened. This makes eight flowers which is a record for this plant.

That is a large bitey March fly on the stapelia gigantea flower. The second image is of the very last of this lot of stapelia gigantea flowers. There is no sign of any more buds but they could flower, again, later in autumn.

Well, one did & this stapelia gigantea flower was a complete surprise!!! Never even noticed the bud forming, which is unbelievable, as it grows to 15cms (6ins) in length & is big in every way. I was stunned!!!

The stapelia gigantea flower is still showing no signs of shrivelling up. Maybe they last longer in the cooler weather of late autumn. There aren't any flies about though.