๐ต Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) may eventually become one of the giants of the Sonoran Desert, but they start out incredibly smallโand grow very slowly. In this video, I show you my seed-grown baby Saguaros and explain how to care for these fascinating cacti indoors. Learn about lighting, watering and soil requirements, along with how slowly Saguaros grow, when they typically develop their famous arms, and just how large and long-lived these amazing cacti can eventually become.
#healthyhouseplants #SaguaroCactus #CactusCare #IndoorGardening #SucculentCare
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Today, I’m sharing this little pot containing three baby saguaro cacti. Someone gave these to me after purchasing them from a botanical garden gift shop in Arizona, and they were grown from seed.
The fact that they were grown from seed is important. Saguaros are protected native plants in Arizona, and you can’t simply dig one out of the desert and take it home. Removing protected native plants requires permission from the landowner and a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
Human-propagated saguaros like these are exempt from the special permit requirements that apply to plants removed from the wild.
Saguaros grow naturally in the Sonoran Desert, primarily in Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora. They require plenty of light, which is the first important consideration when growing one indoors.
I grow these babies in a western-exposure window, where they receive very bright light. During the shorter and darker days of the cold months, I sometimes place them under full-spectrum lighting to make sure they continue receiving sufficient light.
The second important consideration is watering very sparingly. For this tiny pot, I provide just 1 tablespoon of water approximately once a month to every six weeks.
The exact amount of water you provide will depend on the size of the plant and pot and your indoor growing conditions. The important thing is to allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings.
Saguaros store water extremely well. Grow saguaro in fast-draining cactus soil in a container with drainage holes. Never allow the pot to sit in standing water.
It’s also good to add perlite and/or pumice to the soil, and there is some perlite in this soil.
Besides bright light and careful watering, the other thing you need when growing saguaro is a lot of patience.
Studies at Saguaro National Park found that these cacti may grow only 1 to 1ยฝ inches during their first eight years.
In the desert, tiny saguaros usually grow beneath nurse trees such as palo verde, ironwood, and mesquite. These trees protect the seedlings from temperature extremes and other harsh conditions while they become established.
I’m definitely not expecting to see arms on these little cacti anytime soon.
Saguaros generally don’t begin developing branches until they are around 50 to 70 years old. In drier locations, it may take as long as 100 years.
[Snorts]
A mature saguaro can eventually reach up to 50 feet tall, weigh 6 tons or more, and live for 150 to 175 years. Some are believed to live more than 200 years.
Obviously, these little baby saguaros aren’t going to reach a really big size for a long time. So, these are plants that I’m probably going to be passing along to my heirs.
In the meantime, I’m going to have patience as I watch them grow very, very slowly in my indoor garden.
Thank you for stopping by today. Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Saguaro Cacti Indoors
Can you grow a saguaro cactus indoors?
Yes. Young saguaro cacti can be grown indoors when provided with plenty of bright light, very careful watering, fast-draining cactus soil, and a container with drainage holes.
How much light does a saguaro cactus need indoors?
Saguaros need plenty of bright light. A western-exposure window can provide strong natural light, while full-spectrum grow lights can supplement light during shorter, darker months.
How often should you water a saguaro cactus?
Saguaros should be watered very sparingly because they store water extremely well. For a small pot, approximately 1 tablespoon of water once a month to every six weeks may be appropriate, depending on the plant, pot, and growing conditions.
Should saguaro soil dry out between waterings?
Yes. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Always use fast-draining cactus soil and never allow the container to sit in standing water.
What type of soil is best for a saguaro cactus?
Use a fast-draining cactus soil. Adding materials such as perlite and pumice can further improve drainage and help prevent excess moisture around the roots.
How fast does a saguaro cactus grow?
Saguaros grow extremely slowly when young. Studies at Saguaro National Park found that they may grow only about 1 to 1ยฝ inches during their first eight years.
How long does it take for a saguaro cactus to develop arms?
Saguaros generally begin developing branches when they are around 50 to 70 years old. In particularly dry locations, it may take as long as 100 years.
How tall can a mature saguaro cactus become?
A mature saguaro can eventually reach approximately 50 feet tall and may weigh 6 tons or more.
How long can a saguaro cactus live?
Saguaros commonly live for approximately 150 to 175 years, although some are believed to live for more than 200 years.
Can you remove a saguaro cactus from the desert?
Saguaros are protected native plants in Arizona. Removing a wild saguaro requires appropriate permission and a permit. Human-propagated saguaros grown from seed, such as nursery-grown plants, are exempt from the special permit requirements that apply to plants removed from the wild.
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