ASK MR. SUN:

Why are there saguaro cactuses in Arizona but not in Nevada?

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Ask Mr. Sun

Dear Mr. Sun, why are there saguaro cactuses in Arizona but not in Nevada? They’re the desert. We’re the desert. Why no giant cowboy cacti here in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas would seem a nurturing environment for most any desert spectacle. Alas, the towering, iconic saguaro, which can grow to 60 feet and sprout dozens of upward reaching arms, isn’t suited to Southern Nevada.

Saguaros (pronounced suh-WAR-o) are native to the Sonoran Desert, which covers southern Arizona and parts of northern Mexico and southeastern California.

Experts say two factors keep the desert giants from expanding into the Mojave — temperature and rainfall. Las Vegas gets a few too many days below freezing for saguaros to thrive. Then there’s the rain, or lack of it.

Tucson, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, averages about 12 inches of rain a year. That’s fairly wet for a desert and certainly wetter than Las Vegas, which saw less than 3 inches of precipitation last year.

For saguaros it’s also important when the rain falls. The cactuses are dormant in winter, so it’s summer precipitation that counts.

“Saguaros grow in the summertime when there is the hotter weather ... and the seeds get down in the ground and the summer monsoon rains are germinating the next generation,” said Doug Larson, horticulturist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

July and August are the wettest months in the Sonoran Desert, averaging more than 2 inches of rain in some parts. Meanwhile, Las Vegas’ wettest months are from December through March.

That doesn’t mean a saguaro waking up in Las Vegas is doomed. A few lurk in landscaping around town and appear to be surviving.

Larson said their caretakers should be aware of the cactuses’ unique needs.

“Hopefully people in Las Vegas who have them in their landscapes will water them,” Larson said. “Once a month in the summer should suffice.”

Questions for Mr. Sun should be sent to page8@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By Nevada_Ned

9/24/09 at 12:09 p.m.

Suggest removal

If your cactus dies, it's probably over-watered. I was told to water a cactus once a week in the summer and once a month in the winter.
By mred

9/24/09 at 2:53 p.m.

Suggest removal

I heard that only borrego palms are native to eastern San Diego county (very tall slender palm trees) and all others are imported from mediterranean area.
By Vegasvampire

9/24/09 at 4:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

There are some Saguaros planted around town. But you will notice that they are all wrapped for warmth during the winter months.
By Bakersfield

9/25/09 at 12:30 p.m.

Suggest removal

Isn't it illegal to uproot a saguaro and tranfer it to your garden?
By LV4LIFE

9/25/09 at 12:36 p.m.

Suggest removal

Bakersfield, I know it is illegal to take them out of the state of Arizona. (I used to live there).
By getalife

9/25/09 at 1:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Baker, they need to be "tagged and permitted" then they are legal.

We had a judge here in Las Vegas who didn't follow the rules and harvested some cacti illegally and it cost him dearly (I forget his name)
By LV4LIFE

9/25/09 at 1:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

Yeah getalife, I remember that incident. I think (and I am not sure) They have to be like baby cacti or something. You can't take mature ones of a certain age. Arizona conciders them landmarks of a sort.