How do you tell how old a cactus is?

Answer 1

It's impossible to come up with a precise age for a giant saguaro cactus [Carnegiea gigantea]. In fact, guesstimating ages just can't be done regarding any type of cactus. So much depends upon the individual cactus and upon environmental conditions. But a saguaro cactus that has at least one branching arm and that flowers, fruits, and seeds is at least 40 years old. Not one of the preceding activities takes place for a saguaro before that age. Additionally, it tends to reach its mature height of 40 feet/12 meters in around 60 years.

Answer 2

There's no certain way to tell a cactus plant's age. The age can be guesstimated based on known facts about the cactus, its environmental context, and its genetic inheritance. For example, a living rock or fossil cactus [Ariocarpus trigonus] measures 10 inches/25 centimeters in diameter once it's 100 years old. In the way of another example, the agave cactus [Leuchtenbergia principis] sports yellow, funnel shaped flowers and gren fruits once it's eight years old. In the way of still another example, the pincushioin cactus [Mammillaria sempervivi] forms baby offsets when it's 20-30 years old.

Answer 3

it depends how pointy the spikes are if its old and you touch it you will start to bleed if it is young you wont

Answer 4

A saguaro grows about 1/4" per year. By measuring the height of a saguaro one can calculate the approximate age of the plant.