Description
Carnegiea gigantea (Cactaceae) The saguaro cactus is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age, although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25. Saguaros are covered with protective spines, white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer. Sowing: Sow indoors at any time of year. Fill small pots or trays with a light and well-aerated compost. (John Innes Seed Compost, with the addition of gritty sand is an old favorite) Do not firm the mixture down. Stand the pots in water, moisten thoroughly and drain. It is a good plan to stand the containers on a tray of damp sand, so that they do not dry out. Scatter the seed onto the top of the compost or, if the seed is larger, sow individually and press lightly into the compost. Do not cover small seeds with compost. Secure a polythene bag around the pot or cover the container with glass or and place in a warm shaded place. If possible, germinate in a propagator. Care should be taken to prevent the pots drying out from below. Many people make use of a warm place such as the airing cupboard, or near the kitchen boiler. The majority of seeds germinate best at a temperatures of 22 to 24ºC (70 to 75ºF). Some seedlings may appear within a week or 10 days others will take longer. At lower temperatures, germination usually takes considerably longer. Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: June 2023
