Colors of Saguaro Cactus Blossoms

Saguaro Cactus Blossoms

• The blossoms of the saguaro cactus occur at the top of its main stem and on the tips of its arms. The waxy, creamy white flowers with yellow stamens are approximately 3 inches wide and have a sweet, melon-like fragrance. The flowers bloom one time; beginning at night and closing by mid-afternoon the next day. The cactus has only this brief period for pollination to occur. In its native setting, a variety of bats such as the lesser long-nosed bat and the Mexican long-tongued bat arrive at night to enjoy its nectar. In the morning, a second serving of nectar attracts the white-winged dove and often, bees. If you keep a saguaro outdoors, birds or bees may take care of pollination for you. You can also cross-pollinate with another cactus, if needed.

Saguaro Cactus Fruit

• Once the white flowers of the saguaro are pollinated, they grow scaly, cylindrical fruit that is 2 to 3 inches long. The fruit is green, then matures to red, splitting open to reveal its deep-red fruit filled with black seeds. When the fruit splits, it gives the impression of red flowers on the saguaro. Bats eat the fruit, along with the white-winged dove, Gila woodpeckers and house finches. Mammals such as the coyote enjoy them as well. These creatures spread the seeds, allowing new saguaro cacti to eventually sprout. At home, you may enjoy making a syrup from its fruit as the Tohono O’odham tribe of the Sonoran desert do.

Growing Your Saguaro Cactus

• According to U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service at
  Saguaro National Park, it is easy to grow a saguaro cactus from seed but patience is necessary. You will need saguaro cactus seeds, a small pot with a drain hole in the bottom and a small bag of cactus potting soil. Place the soil in the pot and poke several holes in the soil with your finger, about 1/8 inch deep. Place a seed in each hole and lightly cover them with a little soil. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and poke several small holes in the wrap. Set your pot in a well-lit area, avoiding direct sunlight and keep it warm. Leave the pot covered for four to six weeks, moistening the soil about every 10 days. After removing the plastic, water your cactus about once a month. According to the Saguaro National Park Service it may take 1 to 2 years for your cactus to reach 1 inch high under your care. In its natural habitat, it may take as much as 10 years, depending on soil and rainfall.

Trivia About Saguaro Cactus

• The saguaro cactus will only grow wild in the Sonoran desert which spreads over southern Arizona, extreme southeastern California and northwestern Mexico. It grows from sea level to about 4,000 feet in elevation. This cactus usually grows to about 40 feet high, occasionally reaching 60 to 80 feet. A fully hydrated saguaro contains 90 percent water. According to biologists, killing freezes are the major cause of saguaro deaths. Your saguaro may live inside or outside because it is such a slow growing cactus. It can take between 30 and 75 years to begin flowering, depending on soil and rainfall according to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. You may have to add your cactus to your will; this one can live well over 100 years, sometimes more than 200.