Six years of growing Saguaro cacti from seeds; Sonoran Desert

I've germinated 3 batches of Saguaro seeds since 2016. I've learned a bit about doing it, so I share that information. I show a slide show of Saguaro vistas, show early results, give some growing tips, show their current status, and look at some information from researchers who study Saguaro cacti.
#saguaro #sonorandesert #gardening #cactus #tucson
Chapters:
0:00 Saguaro vistas and information
2:33 Early growing results
7:46 Growing tips
12:06 Current state of growth in 2022
14:46 The Saguaro that provided the seeds
15:19 Some small Saguaros that have grown naturally in the yard
17:07 Some info from researchers and comparing my seedlings to naturals

[@StingraySteve]

I was a little kid in the mid 60s when I brought home a baby saguaro from a trip we went on . I still have it. Most of its life it was on a south facing window in New York . Then about 6 years ago I left it in the same place while someone rented the area from me. He moved the plant away from the window for a year and she almost died. It has a stalk on the bottom so I cut it off and replanted it. The plant widened last year and got healthy . This year it finally got new growth on the top. I live in Florida now and it's very happy after all its been through.

[@weekenddistractions]

That's quite a story. Glad it looks like it's coming back!

[@codyray6340]

Good story but it is admitting to a felony.

[@screamingirish]

@@codyray6340 not if it was bought legally

[@keynage6693]

@@codyray6340 🤓

[@NoobNoobNews]

@@codyray6340 Depending on when the laws were put in. 1960 is a long time ago when it comes to natural conservation laws.

[@henrytavik6484]

i have seen dozens of videos of people sprouting cactus from seed and i never see anyone follow up 6 years later. thanks for makin this

[@weekenddistractions]

Glad it was helpful and informative! Thanks

[@thegreatwebstar]

That's because very few ppl actually make this place better through caring about plants, let alone teaching others how to conserve, how to learn from creating one's own data, how nature relies on us, and we benefit from each species as a student, then as steward, then as teacher, and master... thank you for all your years ... 80% germination rate is fantastic... just goes to show robustness and how important they are to that desert landscape... amazing to think 1000 gallons 3ventually fits inside those lil buttons!!!!

[@JaneCampbell-qy1qx]

Very interesting noticed

[@zloungeact]

​@@weekenddistractions very interesting!

[@Tybold63]

You know you are a plant nerd when you find this content so interesting and captivating. Thanks for posting

[@weekenddistractions]

Wow, thank you!

[@getintothewildwithjeffruma8777]

Lol can’t argue against that

[@Dd-sunshine68]

Darn dose that mean I'm a nerd lol ❤

[@5x535]

Guilty as charged.

[@paulie2009]

I'm not even a plant nerd (some other type maybe?) but this was just a mellow, interesting, and well paced, well narrated, well done vid that autoplay brought me to.

[@Jungleland33]

As someone who lives in Ireland I love how you equate a bad monsoon to very little rainfall and a good monsoon to a lot of rainfall.....exactly the opposite of how we gauge weather. Lol.

[@weekenddistractions]

too funny.

[@tenshikaren]

As someone who spent my early childhood in Arizona, the monsoon season is part of the landscape. You learn as a child that any ditch can be very dangerous, both because scorpions and snakes may have slid in and are hunting and because we often refer to these naturally carved grooves as a 'wash' because if it rains you may well get washed away down it with everything else. All the mountains and canyons are lined and carved by these washes in the desert. If you follow them out to a flatter plains area where the water diffuses into many puddles, you will often find frogs during monsoon season too. As a kid this is very exciting and sad, because they are a type of frog designed to swarm, breed, and die as the clay-like earth returns from muck to a concrete like texture. They live and die by the monsoon season, and are a great source of food for birds and snakes. I live in Oregon now, and we also have bad rain years where we worry about forest fires... but I've seen more years than not where winter rain floods the river at the back of the property and water rises to the edge of our deck. I think the right amount of rain for an area is relative, and I believe a lot of Ireland is prone to wetlands so I totally understand being sick of the rain. Personally though, I would rather live with rain than see another valley burn away like ours did a couple years ago, where the fires ended a block away from us and burnt pine needles swept the ground like waves on the beach with charred leaves that landed feet from our house. It was scary packing the car and leaving that morning as flames crested the mountain and the whole world was orange smoke and falling ash. But then, I have lived in desert for so long that rain feels like a celebration to me anyways.

[@SinAster_19]

This man somehow made a video that looks and sounds like it was made in 2011 I love it

[@BanjoBitty]

Incredible. I knew they grew slowly but had no idea just how slowly.

[@RandomTrols]

I got a growing method to grow them 2000times faster some cacti are actually very fast growing

[@RandomTrols]

If it was really that slow it wouldn't be in commercial productions but it actually is so... there is a way

[@charlescarabott7692]

@@RandomTrols what is the method. I'm used to San Pedro cactus which grow relatively quickly. My little saguaro is like standing still in time

[@swedneck]

@@RandomTrols source: dude trust me

[@RandomTrols]

@@charlescarabott7692 follow Max Montrose on youtube , he wil teach u

[@asha8443]

Very nicely done. As a scientist, I appreciated your methodological approach almost as if this growing the saguaro cacti was an experiment.

[@weekenddistractions]

Hi Ash. Thanks for the nice comment. Yeah--it's turned into an experiment that started with curiosity!

[@dejavu666wampas9]

I concur. You are a true scholar of saguaros.

[@kansasfarming]

In 1998 ( 25 years ago ) I brought a 6 inch high Saguaro from Home depot $5.99. Planted it in my backyard about 20 feet from my pool. Today it is about 16+ foot tall and has 5 large arms. It's beautiful

[@weekenddistractions]

Interesting. I see what looks like a saguaro at home depot these days, but they are something called a false saguaro. Amazing that you got a real one from them.

[@kansasfarming]

I brought it in 1998, 25 years ago, things were different than, I've try to find some that size for that price recently but no luck. mine now has a value of around $2,500. Eaeh arm is about 2 to 3 feet. That's approximate as I can't get up and measure them.

[@bradleythebuilder8743]

I get impatient with the growth of my golden pothos plant, which grow like weeds, but you just seem content to measure growth in millimeters over years and years, what amazing patience you have sir. Thanks for the video, very cool to learn about such a wonderful plant

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you for the very nice comment!

[@teonasbrk]

the slow growth rate of these is utterly mindblowing! Good for you planting seeds of cacti whose shade you will never sit under

[@ericwanderweg8525]

I’m so happy KZbin knows what’s in my text messages and this video randomly pops up on my feed

[@danthomas6587]

I live in Saguaro Park West, spending my retirement painting desert landscapes. I was pulling weeds near a Saguaro and the weed came out in a snap and my hand became impaled on a Saguaro spine. Took six weeks to heal. I enjoyed watching your vid and subbed immediately. See you around.

[@weekenddistractions]

Hi Dan, I wish you success in your desert paintings--very good landscapes to paint around here! Sorry about your hand. I have managed to get dumped off my mountain bike on several occasions. Luckily, I missed the saguaros, but ended up in prickly pear and cholla--nasty in different ways :) Thank you for the kind words!

[@roberthale8407]

The spines have a wax coating on them that is an irritant and it will take a while to heal. I had a cactus from the badlands and was nailed by it and hurt. I still have a scar from cutting an old world cactus that has the white sap in it. Chemical burn.

[@weekenddistractions]

@@roberthale8407 Eek!

[@waspjournals41]

Amazing video and i find it truly mind blowing that it takes them so long to mature and branch out. It makes me feel less old to know that if i was a saguaro I would still basically be a seedling

[@weekenddistractions]

I hear yah! By the time I die, the cacti I am growing will only be about 3 feet high!

[@Faesharlyn]

This was a great watch, thanks for sharing your work and your yard with us. The graph at the end was unexpected but really shows that you are becoming a better Steward of the Saguaro.. looking forward to updates on these beautiful little babies

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for the kind words. Probably won't do another update for several years.

[@65BAJA]

I don't know why KZbin thought I needed to see your video but I'm glad it did. Very interesting.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks greatly for the kind comment!

[@sundevil0271]

I love this! I lived in Arizona about 20 years ago and fell in love with the saguaro. I now live in Arkansas and still have a potted saguaro with me--probably 3 feet tall now. I've thought about trying to germinate from seed, but as I'm discovering now, they do become a challenge when you can't transplant them outdoors. At three feet, my girl is pretty darn heavy and becomes difficult to move indoors for the winter. But I still love them and your video was absolutely wonderful. Thanks for sharing your experience--and thanks for helping to propagate this extraordinary cactus!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I'm glad your saguaro is still doing well--that's great!

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Very cool that someone would take the time to understand and learn the process of germination of the Saguaro Cactus 🌵 "You're going to reap just what you sow" Perfect Day Lou Reed Save a life, Save the World 🌎

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for the nice comment!

[@stellarbum957]

I can sense so much passion and patience in this video. You have my full admiration

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you so much for the very nice comment! Best Regards.

[@commenter4898]

I love the way you looked up the literature and analyzed your data in the last 3 minutes. I can tell that you are a scientist.

[@XaurianQueen]

Spent over ten years in Tucson and my dad still lives near the intersection of Grant and Swan. I sure miss the climate!

[@janjanime8351]

This entire video made my heart so happy! You did an amazing job documenting the process, tracking growth, and methodically approaching their care. I love data, so all the charts and graphs were a pleasant addition. It must be so rewarding to have those little baby Saguaros growing as well as they are. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@weekenddistractions]

Gosh. Thanks for the great comment!

[@TheFatesLieutenant]

Cool! Quite interesting and well presented - Go Team Saguaro!

[@weekenddistractions]

Much appreciated!

[@KenG557]

I love Saguaro 🌵

[@melissajohnson2935]

Your dedication is legendary!

[@wonderwonder30]

Being a native of Tucson, this video was very informative and seeing the progression of this beautiful saguaro’s grow was a real treat. Thank you for sharing ♥️

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! Sometimes it's easy to take them for granted when you see them all time! Best.

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

The baby baby ones look so cute 🥺

[@drwisdom1]

Growing Saguaros is interesting because they are fascinating plants and the progress is so slow.

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY. I've spent 11 years in the desert of Arizona as a kid and I've NEVER before heard of or seen a Saguaro being grown. Well done.

[@capitalism-createshomeless2922]

It would be nice to see our deserts covered in cacto once again! Every biome should be protected!

[@weekenddistractions]

I suppose it's possible to have too many--then diseases easily spread. I guess mom nature arranges things just right over time and circumstances.

[@Killacorn]

Have you been north of Phoenix in the mountains there are thousands and thousands and thousands of them

[@maisonfield2148]

Wow this is the coolest video! I live in St George UT and I love our cacti here but I’ve always wanted to live in Tucson and enjoy the saguaros they are amazing!

[@weekenddistractions]

St George is a great place. I went though it once on my way to Toroweap.

[@concretecat]

This was awesome dude thank you. It was very fascinating learning about these giants. I think it’s so cool how they start out tiny but keep growing. Thanks for the video!

[@weekenddistractions]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@phild8095]

Great patience. I've grown fruit trees, and even a chola cactus, but never saw anything that slow. My compliments for you effort, your photography and your documentation.

[@weekenddistractions]

Gosh. Thanks so much. Someone told me that ocotillo are pretty quick growers from seeds.

[@phild8095]

@@weekenddistractions This was a version found in Texas, around Sherman County. Probably not native to their, but it thrived.

[@bebecatanzaro9362]

I fell head over heels in love with saguaro cacti when I stood next to one in Arizona (I live in Missouri)! They are breathtakingly beautiful, and scrappy at the same time. I hope to see one blooming one day. I REALLY enjoyed your video ❤

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks so much! Yes when they get bigger, they get pretty beat up as critters try to burrow into them. I had termites attack my big one a few years back, but they gave up as the lower trunk on thing is very barky and hard. Just the same, I destroyed all the termite tubes built in the attack.

[@samanthafafnis4799]

My husband indulged my love of plants with asking for me to grow a saguaro. I started the seeds last week. Thank you for the valuable information!

[@weekenddistractions]

Awesome! I hope they work out great! It's a long road :)

[@samisntreal3278]

This video rocks! I admire your citizen science!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks. I call it a hobby :)

[@birblover6423]

This was such a thorough video thank you so much! Had no idea they grew this slowly you have the patience of a saint

[@weekenddistractions]

Gosh--thanks for the nice comment!

[@laurencolburn5495]

My husband and I lived in Tucson for a year, and I loved it. We’re back in Michigan now and I miss the Palo Verde and Saguaros and the mountains.

[@chelseaflood]

This is so amazing! I went to Saguaro National Park for the first time last year and fell in love with these cacti! What a treat to see them grow. They are so cute when they're little!

[@drifter503]

Not sure why, but I found this video super interesting. Looking forward to future updates

[@5x535]

Your excellent video answered many questions that I had about saguaro after a visit to Scottsville. I plan a visit during bloom time as soon as I narrow that down. When we moved to Oregon 35 years ago, I planted several Coast redwoods and several more Sequoias. They are all well over a hundred and thirty feet now. Your patience and care are most admirable. Thank you for all the information.

[@weekenddistractions]

I hope your upcoming visit down here goes well. Growing Sequoias--how cool! Thank you for the great comment!

[@ThatGenericGuy]

There’s something utterly beautiful about someone putting so much effort into growing a plant that is so slow to show results. I like to think I respect and love nature, but this, this is another level of dedication. When you talk about these cacti, there is a clear underlying sense of tenderness that shows how much passion you have for your work. It’s truly admirable. All growers should strive to have your mindset and patience. Thanks for the video

[@weekenddistractions]

Very kind comment--thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@snapslingpeavine1371]

I never actually thought about that cactus sprouts look liked. *Now I know.*

[@javiicorrea7087]

I’m an Arizona native and never took the time to learn about these complex Arizona beauties. You definitely captured and amazed me with such knowledge and facts of our Saguaros. Thank you! I enjoyed the video and learning more about them.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you so much. Mostly I am just curious about them!

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Wow Lovely Cactus ^^ Like it My friend, thank you for good sharing

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks so much, and I'm glad you found it interesting! Cheers.

[@guybob548]

Great Macro Pictures! Both informative and great to look at!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! I do enjoy macro and that 20x image of the seed surface had unexpected structure.

[@nancherihasini6666]

Patience is everything 🤍

[@andyzip2373]

Astounding amount of work put into this video! Awesome

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you very much!

[@pam9470]

As a visitor from England to Tucson in 2015, I was blown away by the Saguaro Desert vistas - thank you for this informative and pleasantly narrated video, some good learning points for my 3 lonely cacti on the window sill!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for such a nice comment! Yes, the saguaro vistas down here are remarkable and unique. Cheers!

[@susanellis6402]

So interesting. Love how you care for the Saguaros.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! Currently we are having about a week of morning hard freeze warnings, so just to be safe, I have put a blanket over the cage they are growing in.

[@bobburnsstuff7287]

Great video Steve, I've transplanted a few myself but never germinated saguaro seeds. The germination-vs-year growth you show from the 1970's to the early 1990's was more than likely due to unusually active monsoon seasons we had during that span. Impressive video, thanks!

[@weekenddistractions]

Hi Bob. Thanks for the kind comment. I agree about the rainy season. I recall the monster and regular monsoons we had back then.

[@Ally-Oop]

These little fellas are sooo stinkin’ cute! Rock on bud, kudos for sharing your journey and info.

[@weekenddistractions]

The tiny ones are as cute as the baby yoda! Thanks

[@IHCOYT]

This is so incredible! I am not growing Saguaro's but this is such valuable information!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks so much!

[@westoneaston4775]

Fascinating video! I'm just visiting the Sonoran Desert over the winter, and was wondering what young Saguaros would even look like. I did actually come across a Barrel Cactus that was no bigger than a tennis ball, while hiking. I guess they all start out very tiny! Thanks so much for posting this.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for commenting. I hope your visit here is going great!

[@horsingaround5353]

The most beautiful flowers hands down.

[@weekenddistractions]

They are hard to see closely though being so high above the ground!

[@shainazion4073]

Thank you for the interesting video! I once planted seeds from cactus about 35 years ago, when working in a plant store. So many germinated, I was off one day, and my boss sold the whole pot of seedlings that came up. I was so upset. The man who bought them was a cacti collector though.

[@weekenddistractions]

Geepers--that's not right! Thanks for watching though!

[@lisascenic]

Absolutely fascinating! I had no idea how long-lived these amazing plants are.

[@gammayin3245]

Pictures of saguaro vistas are so beautiful that they give me goose bumps. I love the smell of the desert in the rain! Wow - amazing seed haul! Beautiful sprouts! Such care and attention to your growing population over the years -- accolades to you! You are a counterbalance to the Anthropocene.

[@weekenddistractions]

You are so kind. I too love the beginning slide show. It makes me realize I need to do more desert landscapes (esp with Saguaro). I had to look up anthropocene--nice!

[@LHVMleodragonlamb]

Thank you for sharing your data. great job

[@weekenddistractions]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@LHVMleodragonlamb]

@@weekenddistractions I am impressed by your cordiality. I must visit your peoples country one day and I hope to do nature conservation tourism and hope the business model is sustainable so that you feel confident that your great grand children can continue with the experience of Earth in health.

[@jcmendezify]

talk about a labor of love! So fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

[@serriayisasia]

I'm from frigid New England, have no plans of growing a Saguaro, but I watched this video full way though and was engaged the whole time. It felt like you were some uncle I had showing me his cactuses proudly and I think that's what made it so easy to watch.

[@danskdna8550]

They can grow indoors on a bright windowsill

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for the nice comment. There's a channel called something like 'Ted's exotic cacti'. When he moved from San Diego to the east coast, he took his cacti along, and probably has some videos about how he's handling that.

[@pimpozza]

What a fascinating video.. so glad it popped up in my recommendations! I was gripped from start to finish.. The Saguaro landscape photos are stunning. Watching your seedlings 🌱 and their progress over the years made my day. But maybe what I found the most intriguing of all.. _baby Saguaros growing for up to 10 years in the yard and never being noticed!_ Wow.. thank you so much for sharing your experiences! As an avid cactus lover from Italy, it truly made my morning.. 🌵💚🇮🇹🙋🏻‍♀️

[@weekenddistractions]

Hi again. Appreciate the nice comment and that you enjoyed the video. Yeah--missing those seedlings growing right in front of my nose is kind of embarrassing. The ones I planted from seeds are still going strong and a few of them are large enough to get planted in the yard now :)

[@pimpozza]

@@weekenddistractions I just think it goes to show how well camouflaged they are!! Nature is incredible.. these are such slow-growing beauties that it's best they get a good start on their potential long-life journey without being noticed.. that way they have a chance to grow into the next century! *Wow!* They're amazing.. 💚🌵

[@eve_squared]

I used to live in arizona around phoenix and I remember the shock I got when I moved to the midwest. Living in the sonoran desert for a few years as a kid then going somewhere that is very unlike a desert was hard on me. I loved reptiles and other common desert critters, I remember being fascinated by the spines on cacti as a child and thankfully my neighbor gave me a book of all the plants in the area. I still have it, now that I understand a lot more I think I'll look through it again.

[@weekenddistractions]

I had reverse shock since I grew up in Wisconsin. Leaving the trees, water, and green grass took a long time to get used to.

[@tabytastick]

@@weekenddistractions I to am from WI (West Allis)! The shock I had when I saw my first cactus is funny to me looking back, I moved to AZ when I was 22. I was pointing out every cactus I saw. 🤣 Me: "OMG, Look there is a cactus next to a pine tree next to a PALM tree!!" 😲 🌵 🌲🌴

[@peterchristensen9585]

That was fun, thanks! My experience with cactus is that they LOVE water. You just have to be sure that the soil dries out between waterings.

[@weekenddistractions]

I agree--esp when they are young. Drying out is important as you say. Thanks for watching!

[@GrowingwithAnastasia]

I’m so obsessed I want to do this. Please share more of this content omg. Greetings from south phoenix

[@weekenddistractions]

You should just go for it!

[@bluebowser3347]

Very high quality content. I like how fascinated you are with the saguaro cacti and how educational you've formatted this video. Keep up the good work!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you very much!

[@luisinhoseg]

here is somene who loves the place where he is living, and not trying to change it into something else. gracias por tu esfuerzo!

[@weekenddistractions]

Having grown up in Wisconsin, it took a while to get used to the terrain down here, but it's grown on me increasingly with each passing year!

[@Kungpaoshizzi]

Starting to collect cacti at 40, I sure wish I was younger now :)

[@tonyhamilton9764]

Wow, that's patient gardening there. Thanks for sharing!

[@suzil7687]

YOUR PATIENCE is AMAZING!!!!

[@IncogNito-xx7to]

I LOVE this video! Very well done, and put together! Thank you for caring about this plant and sharing what you have learned. Many of us would love to grow these too, but our current location just isn’t the kind for this plant, but one day we mkght move there and enjoy cultivating these marvels of creation. Again:: Thank You!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for the nice comment! If you think you are going to move here, starting them now and then transplant them once you get here makes sense. They'll grow fine indoors for many years so long as they get lots of strong window sunlight!

[@IncogNito-xx7to]

@@weekenddistractions Thankyou for the suggestion, I didn’t think of that. So I guess all I need to do is get some seeds. I have family that lives in Az, so that won’t be hard to do, especially since you explained when seeds are ready to harvest.

[@Kneenibble]

I feel a sense of awe when contemplating the saguaro's majestic form and its slow growth rate. It's a plant to respect. Thanks for making this video to share your research.

[@jwall6006]

Im a native Arizonan. Humans are and have always been the biggest threat to the saguaro 🌵 cactus, and the birds and rodents that live within them. The Sonoran Desert has many cactus, and animals found no where else in the world. The Saguaro being the largest and slowest growing example in this desert. In 1933 Hoover designated the Sonoran Desert as a national Monument. In 1994 2 areas of the Sonora Desert as the 52nd national park. They have been a protected plant since 1933. Yet we have over built Arizona and legally and illegally sold, moved and destroyed the desert until there is very little untouched desert left here. This is the most incredible, beautiful desert in the world, come visit it in the winter (unless you like 105° to 115°), walk very gently, stay on designated trails and enjoy the beauty. If you destroy a saguaro there’s a hefty fine and it can be a felony. Even after 63 years I see something new, interesting and beautiful. Stepping off my soap box.

[@beautyforashes2022]

This was fascinating, I love learning about different plant species. And I had no idea that they were so slow growing, makes me appreciate them even more. Also, while watching you spy out all the cute, tiny little cacti growing naturally in your yard, I was thinking to myself that Arizona is a place where you walk around barefoot at your own peril. Definitely very different from what I'm used to in my home state of Florida. Thank you for making and sharing the excellent video with us. 😊👍

[@weekenddistractions]

Barefoot or socks is a big no-no! I'm glad you enjoyed the video--thanks for the comment!

[@peytoia]

great video! thanks man, really enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite plants

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you kindly!

[@chestnutrice9855]

lovely video i learned alot thank you from egypt

[@weekenddistractions]

I'm glad you enjoyed it--thanks for taking the time to look at it!

[@anthonyw6488]

Well done! and props for using the metric system :)

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! 😃

[@reganbrown7285]

Love the use of metric in the video

[@mrcwoodworks4523]

That’s awesome I love the Sonoran desert 🏜️

[@billbush1270]

Very enjoyable to see your process. I have visited Tucson many times, and love the desert.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you very much!

[@feralviper]

Amazing video, thank you!! Watching the growth over a few years is fascinating, and the information about the plant and every step of the process is phenomenal!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you so much for the nice comment. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertmccabe841]

Thank you for sharing, Tucsonian

[@samuelsparling878]

Interesting project you've been working on. Thanks for sharing!

[@acerodriguez6884]

What an amazing video, great job. I mean wow, beautiful and super educational

[@weekenddistractions]

Wow, thank you

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

Amazing video about these amazing plants. I love seeing plants grow, even the slowest ones !

[@weekenddistractions]

Yes, I think the slow growth is a unique feature! Thanks for watching!

[@boxsterman77]

Incredible amount of devotion and patience required.

[@danhz]

I just planted a new batch a few weeks ago. It’ll be my 2nd attempt - my 1st batch I under-watered + tried to move them outside (late spring in Phoenix) too quickly. Thank you for your thoroughness and time - this video is really helpful!

[@weekenddistractions]

Yeah it's easy to underwater them when they are small. It's amazing how much water they will take when small without rotting. Glad you made a second attempt. I made several attempts before getting it right. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@pvgall1]

Good work.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks!

[@mhcbon4606]

a lifetime study to grow them nice and easy.

[@ecatsa7513]

Wow - I'm so glad this showed up in my feed! I've heard that it's1 about next to impossible to have success with saguaro seeds. Thank you for documenting and sharing! What incredible plants!

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! I almost killed them a few times!

[@seriousmanner787]

I love how you just cut to the chase and explain so clearly. I didn’t have to fast forward through nonsense talk like usual lol

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks! I know exactly what you are talking about.

[@toma5153]

Thanks for putting together a very interesting video and sharing your lessons learned.

[@brucemckay8379]

I grew up in Arizona. I lived in the Santa Catalina mountain foothills of Tucson for several years. Once I tried growing a saguaro in a dish filled with sand. This did not progress beyond the eighth day of your video. In Tucson, once we experience the aftermath of a Baja typhoon. During this time many ancient saguaros absorbed sufficient rainfall that their roots could no longer support them and, regrettably, they fell to the ground. I greatly appreciate that you caused this recollection.

[@brucemckay8379]

Somewhere in the past I remember seeing saguaro fruit on sale in a grocery store (possibly prickly pear instead)! Interestingly enough, both saguaro and prickly pear fruits are similar and taste like watermelon with the grainy texture of a pear. When I was a small lad there was a candy company that made candy from one of these cacti fruits.

[@weekenddistractions]

Hi Bruce. A couple of friends lost 20 ft plants in the 2021 monsoon. Shame to see it!

[@bif24701]

I love the Sonoran desert 🌵. It’s a beautiful landscape.

[@fabiansmg4237]

I love the final chart and it's comparisons with 1977 data. I can just say: your work is amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thank you for the very nice comment. Glad you found it interesting!

[@johngleeman8347]

Spectacular. One of my favorite plants and you're fostering them beautifully! Thank you for sharing.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks for the nice comment!

[@prieten49]

Thanks for a fascinating video on Saguaro cacti. I always admired them from afar but knew next to nothing about them. The seeds abd the red jelly they were in looked quite appetizing. I suppose some of the seeds survive the birds' digestive tract and get spread far and wide.

[@weekenddistractions]

I'm guessing that you are right about some seeds surviving the birds digestive tract. Thanks for the comment!

[@SeedGreed]

Great video! Love to see these slower growers getting love

[@marcialynn3469]

i moved from Key West o Baja. I havepropagated 2 Cacti gardens. Thanks! I have veggies and fruit trees too, as well as flowers

[@weekenddistractions]

Nice! Thanks greatly.

[@saravis56]

They are adorable.

[@weekenddistractions]

They certainly are!

[@kaycampbell8532]

Nice video.

[@weekenddistractions]

Thanks!