Cactus Gardening

Cacti have adapted to extremely arid and/or semi-arid hot environments.

They show a wide range of features which conserve water.

Their stems have adapted to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have become the spines for which cacti are well known.

The bodies of many cacti are thick and have water-retentive tissue

Most cacti have a short growing season and long dormancy.

They also have the ability to form new roots quickly. Two hours after rain following a relatively long drought, root formation begins in response to the moisture.

When a cactus "stings" you, it releases tiny hair-like spines called glochids that can embed into your skin, causing irritation and pain. These spines can be difficult to remove and may lead to swelling, redness, and itching at the site of contact. It is important to carefully remove the spines to prevent further irritation or infection.

Height in 120 yrs = 30 ft. / 75 yrs. [ the height grown per year ] x 120 yrs. 30/75*120 = ( dividing through top and bottom of the fraction, by 15 to simplify, so you can do the math in your head, quickly ) = 2/5*120 = 48

the waxy cuticular & spiny covering from outside

Plants absorb water for hydration and nutrient intake, but the dye particles are unlikely to be absorbed by the cactus to affect its color. The color change in the cactus would not occur simply by dyeing the water it absorbs.

Cactus have prickles, sharp spines, or tiny hairs on their surface as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from animals that may try to eat them. These prickles also help cacti to reduce water loss by providing shade and trapping moisture around the plant.

the plants growing in deserts have adaptations to prevent water loss for example cactus:

1. has no leaves to prevent water loss through transpiration.

2. stem is modified in such a way that it performs photosynthesis.

3.root system is well developed and grows in deep in search of water.

Desert Plants adapt to their environment by trying to reduce the amount of water lost through the leaves. At some point long ago, the leaves of desert plants got thinner and thinner until they turned spiny. Desert plants are also very good at storing water because there is so little rain that falls in the desert which is why they have such fat trunks.

Saguaro cactus (Cereus giganteus) is the considered the largest cactus indigenous to the United States, although there have been reports of a few larger cacti of the giant cardon variety in Baja, California, Mexico, and Brazil.

Saguaro cactus grow slowly and need partial shade to thrive. For this reason, new cacti are usually found under bushes and small trees, termed "nurse plants" for their function in the cactis' survival.

A new cactus takes about 15 years to grow to the height of one foot, which is when they begin to bloom; they can take 40 years to reach 10 feet. Saguaro cactus continue growing until they're about 100 years old, reaching a standard height of 20-30 feet, with a few as large as 40-50 feet. The lifespan of this plant is approximately 200 years.

Donkeys do not store water like camels. They are not able to retain water for long periods of time and rely on frequent access to fresh water sources to stay hydrated.

The stomate are located in the same place as other plants, leaf and stems. Their stomate are much smaller and sometimes sunken deeper into the surfaces to help keep water loss at a minimum. Also, the stomate on catus only open at night when it is cool outside.

The adaptations for the Barrel Cactus are ideal for their survival. Barrel Cacti have a unique metabolism that works for their lifestyle. Their metabolism lets the stomata remain closed in the daytime, which is when the most water would be lost. It then opens at night releasing the oxygen while absorbing the carbon dioxide that is normally saved as malate. The Barrel Cacti has a spine that doubles as a protective shield against its predators.

The inside of a cactus is filled with a very sponge-like, fleshy white core. When it rains, or moisture is collected through dew, the cactus absorbs a large amount of water and stores it in the spongy cells, similar to how camels store fat in their humps. When it gets hot again, the cactus feeds very slowly off its new water supply to stay alive. Cacti do not grow very fast. This is because the energy it would take to grow quickly would use up all their stored water they need to survive.

To eat a prickly California pear, start by removing the skin using a knife or peeler. Be careful to remove all the small spines, as they can be sharp. Once peeled, you can slice the pear and eat it fresh, or use it in salads, desserts, or smoothies. Enjoy!

Cactus roots have adapted by burrowing deep to reach water that is not quickly evaporated by surface heat.

The stems grow very thick to act as a sort of insulation against evaporative loss.

And the leaves have evolved as needles which have a low surface area to reduce evaporation and to deter animals and insects that would pierce the stem to suck moisture from the plant.

the Christmas castus only blooms at Christmas time. the rest of the year it will be greenery but around next october-November keep in warm and humid. try putttin a plastic bag over the plant with a small hole at the top so it doesnt go moldy. keep soil moist but don't over water. make sure it gets some sunlight to promote blooming. when you see the first blooms remove bag and it should stay till Christmas.

Good luck.

It would take far too long to list them on this site even if anyone had the time to do it. Try botanical websites, or narrow the search to something manageable.

FlorasEnchantix: Try these 2; Flora and Tulips. Flora is Italian for Flowers.

The roots to a cactus are long thick and go very wide and deep. When it rains the roots absorb the water and store it in its leaves. The cactus doesnt need a lot of water. A couple drops a year will keep it alive. Its leaves are protected with spines.

A cactus breathes through its stomata. These are little holes on the flesh or skin of the cactus.

Through it's thorns

Cactii breathe through pores in their skin called stomates. These are generally closed during the heat of day to retain moisture and opened during the night to allow respiration to occur.

Photosynthesis

Prickly Pear pads can pop up quickly. In as little as one year, the clusters of pads will grow to four feet high at maturity. The earliest it can be harvested as a tasty fruit is five years.

Enjoy! They are really tasty with honey.

The Cactus Hill archaeological site in Virginia, USA, contains evidence of human occupation dating back over 15,000 years. The site has yielded artifacts such as stone tools, hearths, and bones, providing valuable insights into the ancient inhabitants' way of life. Cactus Hill is significant for understanding the early peopling of the Americas.

The scientific name for Mexican lime cactus is Ferocactus latispinus.

Ferocactus, but there is more than one type so each type will have a different second name.

the genus mammillaria has several species that have fishhok spines