Cacti are enjoying their time. You merely need to visit Pinterest to observe the phenomenon develop in real time. A fast search will turn up hours’ worth of creative ideas. No one appears to be able to resist their allure, not even our cactus-obsessed mayor Annise Parker, who has long anticipated this day.
She informs us via email that she has cultivated ferns, orchids, and cacti over the years.
For 25 years, I have belonged to the Houston Cactus and Succulent Society. They are very easy to cultivate, and I adore the variety.
Note the contrast made between Her Honor and the HCSS. Although a succulent isn’t always a cactus and all cacti are succulents, the distinction between the two has probably led to hours of argument and/or cactus-throwing at the HCSS, but it has no bearing on the common gardener. It’s important to keep in mind that succulents store water in their hefty leaves or stems in order to survive in arid environments. They’re noted for being extremely resilient in the correct setting “Zero care plants are described as “magic” by casual gardeners, and local nurseries claim they are selling more quickly than ever.
But Cactus Jack, a Texas-based landscaper, Jack Casey, advises against taking those terms literally. “My name is associated with “zero care” because of the drought that we have experienced over the past few years. People frequently phone me and inquire, “What is xeriscaping? Doesn’t that imply no upkeep and no water? But everything need upkeep.
Xeriscaping, a buzzword in gardening circles these days, refers to planting slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants in a garden. Saving water (succulents use far less than other species), time (they don’t require nearly as much pruning or pampering), and money is beneficial (they require less fertilizer, fewer pesticides, less water). Casey has more than 20 years of expertise caring for palms, cacti, yuccas, agaves, and other succulents, the majority of which are native to Texas, so she is an expert in xeriscaping, particularly when it comes to cactus.
He claims that despite the recent drought, the difficulty in Houston is ensuring they are not overwatered. “Cacti enjoy getting wet, but they don’t want to stay submerged. Raised beds with moss rock edging and sandier soil that allows water to filter are ideal for planting them in.
Cacti gardening makes a lot of sense in Houston, gumbo and all “According to Casey, water is becoming a greater and more expensive commodity. “People who have azaleas and St. Augustine grass require additional amounts of water to keep healthy. You can design a lovely garden and landscaping that uses 20 to 30 percent less water than normal gardens by combining your cactus and succulents with other materials and plants.” Casey suggests that you take a handful of fresh soil and squeeze it into a snowball. “If your hand stays closed when you open it, it is too tight for you to support cactus growth. There should be stones or sand there. You can’t just place them in the ground and expect them to be healthy because much of Houston is gumboyou.
Mayor Parker is obviously a fan. “She claims that yuccas and cactus are used in the landscaping of the office building she and her partner own on Montrose. “At every Houston residence we have owned, we have made an effort to get rid of as much grass as we could. It would be better for the environment if more Houstonians abandoned the idea of large green spaces and instead planted flowers or gardens that attract butterflies and bees.
Cacti and succulents can grow well in potted pots, sometimes even indoors, so anyone with a small yard should be aware of this. (More interior designers are utilizing them as a “green table centerpieces Terrariums filled with cacti are becoming more and more common in upscale furniture shops, cutting-edge art galleries, and farmers’ markets. Make your own or purchase one. YouTube is flooded with instructional videos because of cactomania.
Just keep Cactus in the dark. That growing cacti is trendy, Jack.” He maintains that it is not popular and uses his continued interest in it as proof. He does, however, acknowledge that when he first began, “The men working with native plants were regarded as odd.
What is the price of a real cactus?
Southwest Arizona, western Sonora, Mexico, and even a few locations in southeast California are home to saguaro cacti. They are typically found in the northern regions on slopes that face south, where the sun shines more frequently. The Saguaro Cactus is covered in protecting needles and bears a red fruit in the summer as well as tiny white blooms in the late spring.
Only in the Sonoran Desert does the suguaro cactus, also known as Carnegiea Gigantea, flourish.
A Saguaro will only grow about one to one and a half inches in its first eight years.
Moving a saguaro cactus off of private or public land without a permit is against the law in Arizona.
Saguaro cactus roots spread out like an accordion to take in as much water as they can.
Arizona’s state flower is the saguaro bloom, which blooms only after a saguaro has reached the age of 35.
SAGUARO CACTUS FACTS
The saguaro is a unique species of plant that can get rather big yet develops extremely slowly. The saguaro’s weight and height are often astounding, and the plant’s beauty is emblematic and significant to the magnificent state of Arizona.
- Arizona has rules and limitations on the gathering, harvesting, and disposal of these cactus. To learn more about the rules that apply to your region, get in touch with your neighborhood government.
- The Saguaro can survive for 150 to 200 years in the appropriate growing circumstances.
- The cactus has one major root that extends down approximately 2 feet while the remaining roots all extend out till they reach the height of the plant and only go down about 5 inches.
- Saguaro growth is particularly slow. A saguaro may only be 1.5 inches tall after a whole decade of growth. They can potentially grow to a height of 40–60 feet under the right circumstances! After a rainy season, a completely hydrated Saguaro may weigh between 3,200 and 4,800 pounds.
- Arizona legislation allows for the collection of saguaro “ribs,” which are used to create jewelry, furniture, roofs, fences, picture frames, and other things. Even the Native Americans used the ribs as water containers before the canteen was created.
HOW MUCH DOES A CACTUS COST?
According to DFRanchandGardens, the average price of a saguaro cactus in the US for 2020 is between $20 and $2,000 per foot.
The saguaro will cost less the smaller it is, according to osieOnTheHouse. However, if they are merely spears and in good condition, they typically sell for $100 or more per foot. The price of saguaros with arms is higher.
Where in Texas can you locate cacti?
All year long, cacti are gorgeous. However, they can astonish us in the spring with abundant yellow, red, and pink blossoms that are quite stunning. These native Texas plants, which may be found everywhere from the Hill Country to the Western deserts, begin to bloom in color in April and continue to be stunning through May or, if they are lucky, even into June.
Of all the native cactus, prickly pear or the yellow rose of Texas may be the most well-known. The state flower is abundant across the Hill Country, but is particularly abundant in the Highland Lakes area. The southwest region of the state also has a lot of it. It typically has yellow, yellow-orange, and occasionally even red and white flowers in bloom. In addition to being attractive, prickly pear cacti are also edible. A common ingredient in Southwestern food can be eaten raw or cooked to produce juice, jelly, or even wine.
Echinocactus texensis, often known as the horse crippler, is a sizable round cactus with a circumference of around 12 inches (30 cm). It is well renowned for its surprisingly delicate pink or peach blossoms, which often start to bloom in the late spring.
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, often known as the hedgehog cactus, is a common type that many people plant indoors. It has bright red or pink flowers that bloom in late May or early June.
The pineapple cactus, also known as a little nipple cactus, is just 6 inches (15 cm) broad. In March, this early bloomer displays a sizable solitary yellow blossom. From north to south, this species is widespread over the entire state. There are Yucca cactus all around Texas, especially in May when they bloom with tall clusters of cream blooms.
Another lovely cactus that resembles more of a tree and grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall is the cholla. It is widespread in West Texas and blooms in May and early June with exquisite hot pink flowers.
In West Texas, the Big Bend National Park is the greatest location to see blooming cactuses. In the spring, the region beside the Rio Grande is very beautiful. Another great location is Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Additionally, Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a large collection of native flora.