I have had a giant Stapelia for a few years and have had it bloom almost on a yearly basis. This year however, it put out its flower stalks and they did get to a large size and right before I was expecting them to open, they didn't and started to shrivel up. What could make them do that? Anything I could have done? I haven' changed their care in years so don't know what went wrong.
Thanks, Jim

JimH, I am sure someone will chime in soon with an answer to your question. It must be very vexing!

Did you move the plant/change temperature or sun exposure just before it was due to open?

Nope , I left them right where they've been for the season.

Then I have no clue, sorry. In my hands/at my location, they put on growth over the Summer and start blooming towards late Summer for me into Fall. They usually bloom a bit better in warmer and sunnier location/condition.
Perhaps the next buds will do better for you.

Mine are doing the same. The weather has turned cooler. We had lows in the 40's so I think it made it stop. I am very upset because one had not bloomed for me and wanted to see the big red flower. That's the only way to tell just want kind it is.

Hey All,
I must've spoke too soon because it just opened up today. Very nice flower with flies already on it! I'm a little surprised about the flies as we are heading into cooler weather and the bug populations are dying off rapidly now. This is the latest my plant has flowered during the year. Usually it would've bloomed over 4-6 weeks ago.

Glad to hear! I guess it was just slowing down.

Well guess what happened to me. Mine also just opened and this plant is the first bloom it showed.
Now I know for sure the color and type. Stapelia flavoristris;






And while looking my Owl's Eye also bloomed for the first time.

Beautiful flower! I have one bud for the first time after growing the plant from a small cutting for several years. This summer was the first year I put it outside for the season and I brought it in when temps went below 60 at night.

Gothicgardener,
Thanks, I leave mine out this past few weeks. Temps went down to mid 40's and did so due to the new blooms. I heard they sometimes drop off if disturbed. So taking a chance with dropping temps. They did bloom for me. Time now to bring in.
Yours, Stapelia Grandiflora looks so much like mine. I bought mine from Bob Smoleys so I believe the tag. 'Grandiflora' is next on my list. Does the flower get very large? Mine was maybe 6 inches but puny not like my 'Gigantea'.

Wow, cool color CareBear.
On both.
But I like the first one, better. Big bloom, vivid color, all hairy ...
Waiting for my one and only Stapelia, from seeds... (label said S. leendertziae - but someone kinda suggested it doesn't look like one).
SO it's a mystery.
No buds yet... maybe next year?

Calin,
Too bad you got only one from the seeds. Seeds are very special. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Who knows where the flies have been at the farm who sold the seeds? Even in self pollination. Genetics are variably at best. Like us, no two alike but similar. Yours could be a new cultivar or hybrid and better than most. I can't wait until you post a picture of it's bloom.
Stush

I'm also... excited.
I'd say it's a blooming size, but it's got a mind of its own.
I wish I could convince it somehow.