Carnegia (gigantea)
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Mark Pater and Bernard Siquieros Research Coordinator USDA NRCS - Tucson Plant Materials Center 3241 North Romero Road Tucson, Arizona 85705 mpater@aztucspmc.nrcs.usda.gov http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/azpmc |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Cactaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Cactus Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Carnegia gigantea | ||
| Common Name: | Saguaro cactus | ||
| Species Code: | CARGIG | ||
| Ecotype: | Tohono O'odham Indian Nation, southern Arizona. | ||
| General Distribution: | C. gigantea is found in southern Arizona and northwestern Sonora, Mexico and sparsely near the lower Colorado River in California. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | |||
| Target Specifications: | Seedling Type: Container Seedling in 3L containers.<br> Height: 10 to 15 cm<br> Caliper: 13 to 19 mm<br> Root Mass: Firm plug in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
Fruit is a fleshy red berry that contains up to 2500 seeds within the pulp.Seeds are black at maturity. Fruits are collected by hand when they are deep red in color and are easily plucked from the plant. |
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| Propagule Processing: |
Seed Processing: Fruits are split open and the pulp is removed. The seed and pulp mixture is rinsed with water, strained, and allowed to air dry for 5 to 7 days. Seeds/gram:990/gram. |
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| Pre-Planting Treatments: | None. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Growing Environment: Greenhouse at 32C day and 24C night on an 8 hour photoperiod. Growing media:To prepare for planting, pumice granules are sifted through a 6 mm screen.Pumice is added to Super soil mix at a 1:1 ratio. Super soil mix contains: fir bark, redwood, sphagnum peat moss, and clean sand. Pumice and potting soil mix is placed in 51x30x6 cm propagation trays. Seeds are spread evenly across soil to achieve a rate of 2 seeds per 6 cm2. This method is successful for producing 200 to 250 seedlings per tray. Seeds are covered with pumice granules Trays are covered with a tent like structure using a 30 cm tal wooden frame with a sheet of heavy duty clear plastic. Light misting of trays is done 2 times per day. Greenhouse temperatures should be maintained at 32C day/ and 24C night during germination. If temperatures fall below 24C, trays should be placed on a heating pad. Reduction in tempertures to 15 C greatly curtails germination. |
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| Establishment Phase: |
Sagauro seedlings normally have a red color indicating they are getting sufficient light. After germination, plastic tent should remain over seedlings for 60 days and watering to saturate the top 2mm of soil may be reduced to once per week. Seedlings average 3mm tall at this stage. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 60 days | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
After 60 days, plastic tent should be removed and replaced with a shadecloth that filters out 70% of sunlight. Greenhouse temperatures should be maintained at 32C. After 8 months, seedlings can be transferred to 51x51x76mm cavity trays containing a 1:1 mix of Supersoil and large granule pumice. After 6 months, larger plants can be transplanted into 3L containers. filled with 2:1:1 mix of Super soil, medium granule pumice and Forest Mulch and placed in a shade house. Pots accomodate growth up to 10 to 15 cm. |
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| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 4 to 5 years for 3L containers | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | If saguaro seedlings are to be held for a longer period of time before outplanting, they should be potted into 18L containers or planted in the ground under a shaded holding area. | ||
| References: | Saguaro Cactus: Cultural Significance and Propagation Techniques in the Sonoran Desert, Pater, M.J. and Siquieros, B., Native Plants Journal, Fall 2000, 1:90-94. | ||
Citation:
2000. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Carnegia gigantea plants USDA NRCS - Tucson Plant Materials Center Tucson, Arizona. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
