London, Aug 18 (IANS) A British couple are elated after their cactus began to bloom – a good 52 years after it was planted.

John, 90, and his wife Barbara Long, 85, patiently waited all these years for the cactus to bloom. They had bought the plant in 1958.

The cactus is outside their home in Hitchin, and has reached a height of 10 feet. ‘I can’t describe the excitement,’ The Sun quoted Barbara as saying.