FAQs About The Saguaro
Lovers of desert landscapes often ask a lot of questions about saguaros, such as “what does saguaro mean?” And “how can you tell how old a saguaro cactus is?” This article is here to answer these burning questions and more, giving you all the information you need concerning this intriguing plant, (by the way, did you know that “saguaro” is pronounced “sawaro”?) There are a ton of exciting things to learn about these spiny, gnarly Sonoran Desert cactuses, so delve into our guide to discover more!
What Does Saguaro Mean?
Saguaro refers to a large cactus that’s native to the Sonoran Desert, and its famous arms (or branches) characterize it. It can take 200 years for a saguaro to reach its full height of over 45 ft, and their branches take the shape of a candelabra.
Which Is The World’s Largest Saguaro Cactus?
The Grand One is often regarded as the world’s largest and one of the oldest saguaro cactus. Unfortunately, the Grand One died in 2007. This historic saguaro’s height measured 46 ft (14 m), and 7 ft (2.13 m) around its base.
How Can You Tell How Old a Saguaro Cactus is?
You can guess a saguaro’s age by looking at its height. For example, a 1-inch tall saguaro probably took ten years to get that height.
Where are Saguaros Found?
Saguaro cacti, also scientifically known as Carnegiea gigantea, exist only in the Sonoran Desert, covering a large portion of the southwestern U.S.A in Arizona & California, and also in Northwestern Mexico. However, not all parts of the Sonoran Desert grow saguaros.
Do Saguaro Cactus Only Grow in Arizona?
Oh no! Saguaro also grows in California and parts of northwestern Mexico.
How Fast Does a Saguaro Cactus Grow?
The Saguaro cactus grows rather slowly, taking up to ten years to grow an inch, and 70 years to reach 6.5 ft tall. At that height, they may start to flower for the first time in their lives. At the age of 95-100 years old, a saguaro cactus’ height may measure up to 15-16 ft. That’s when they start growing their first arms.
What Creatures Eat the Saguaro Cactus?
Different kinds of animals feed on Saguaro Cactus. For example, the long-nosed bat, ant, wasp, honeybee, and butterfly all enjoy the nectar of saguaro cactus flowers. Pack Rat and Pocket Mice also feed on the cactus. At some point, the plant was even a source of food and water for humans.
How Much is a Saguaro Cactus Worth?
Basically, their prices depend on their sizes. A saguaro cactus could be worth $100 per foot. Averagely, the price may vary from around $20-$2000 in the USA.
Can You Plant a Saguaro Cactus Arm?
Yes, you can plant a cactus arm if you take it from a healthy saguaro. Arms which measure 2-5 ft tall when rooted, may grow to have a 20-30 years head start over seed-grown saguaros.
Can You Eat Saguaro Cactus?
Yes. Yearly, a saguaro cactus bears a ruby-colored fruit, which becomes ripe around late June. The fruit contains pulp and seeds, which give a characteristic strawberry taste, and they can be consumed raw or converted into wine or syrup.
Free East Valley Saguaro Maintenance + Removal Quotes
If you need help removing a saguaro, Jose Knows Trees (J&M Landscaping Services) can help! We have provided the best tree removal services in Mesa, Gilbert, and throughout the east valley for a decade. We specialize in cactus removal, too! Call or contact us online for a free saguaro removal quote today.
Lovers of desert landscapes often ask a lot of questions about saguaros, such as “What does saguaro mean?” and “How can you tell how old a saguaro cactus is?” This article is here to answer these burning questions and more, giving you all the information you need concerning this intriguing plant. (By the way, did you know that “saguaro” is pronounced “sawaro”?) There are so many exciting things to learn about these spiny, gnarly Sonoran Desert cacti, so dive into our guide to discover more!
What Does Saguaro Mean?
“Saguaro” refers to a large cactus native to the Sonoran Desert, known for its distinctive arms (or branches). It can take up to 200 years for a saguaro to reach its full height of over 45 ft, and its branches take on the iconic shape of a candelabra.
Which Is the World’s Largest Saguaro Cactus?
The “Grand One” was regarded as the world’s largest and one of the oldest saguaro cacti. Sadly, it passed away in 2007. This historic saguaro measured 46 ft (14 m) tall, with a girth of 7 ft (2.13 m) at its base.
How Can You Tell How Old a Saguaro Cactus Is?
You can estimate a saguaro’s age based on its height. For instance, a saguaro that’s about 1 inch tall probably took around 10 years to grow to that size.
Where Are Saguaros Found?
Saguaro cacti, scientifically known as Carnegiea gigantea, are found only in the Sonoran Desert, which spans a large portion of the southwestern U.S., including Arizona and California, as well as northwestern Mexico. However, not every part of the Sonoran Desert is home to saguaros.
Do Saguaro Cacti Only Grow in Arizona?
No, saguaros can also be found in California and parts of northwestern Mexico.
How Fast Does a Saguaro Cactus Grow?
Saguaro cacti grow slowly—taking up to 10 years to grow an inch and around 70 years to reach a height of 6.5 ft. At that point, they may start to flower. By 95-100 years old, they can reach 15-16 ft tall and begin growing their first arms.
What Creatures Eat the Saguaro Cactus?
A variety of animals feed on the saguaro cactus, including long-nosed bats, ants, wasps, honeybees, and butterflies that enjoy the nectar from saguaro flowers. Pack rats and pocket mice also feed on the cactus. Historically, humans also used the cactus as a food and water source.
How Much Is a Saguaro Cactus Worth?
The price of a saguaro cactus depends on its size. On average, a saguaro could be worth around $100 per foot, with prices ranging between $20 and $2,000 in the U.S.
Can You Plant a Saguaro Cactus Arm?
Yes, you can plant a saguaro cactus arm, as long as it’s taken from a healthy saguaro. An arm measuring 2-5 ft tall, when rooted, can have a 20-30 year head start over a seed-grown saguaro.
Can You Eat Saguaro Cactus?
Yes! Every year, the saguaro cactus produces ruby-colored fruit that ripens in late June. The fruit contains pulp and seeds, which have a characteristic strawberry-like taste. You can enjoy it raw or turn it into wine or syrup.
Free East Valley Saguaro Maintenance + Removal Quotes
If you need help with saguaro removal, Jose Knows Trees (J&M Landscaping Services) can assist you! With over a decade of experience providing tree and cactus removal services in Mesa, Gilbert, and throughout the East Valley, we’re your go-to experts. Call or contact us online for a free saguaro removal quote today!