It’s been a season of growth both for baby nursery saguaros and for the incredible community helping to care for them. In just the past month, the Garden launched seedlings into the world, hosted our first seed-starting workshop and shared saguaro conservation with the world.
In parallel with our ongoing Saguaro Census, Desert Botanical Garden researchers and volunteers launched a bold new effort: creating a collective nursery to grow saguaro seedlings that might better survive Phoenix’s extreme desert conditions: the Saguaro Nursery. This nursery is more than just a scientific endeavor—it’s a long-term vision to restore and preserve these iconic giants across the Valley.
The nursery program is part of the Garden’s broader Saguaro Initiatives, which includes the Saguaro Census, that aims to study and preserve saguaro in the Valley by expanding its genetic diversity throughout the urban landscape. By growing saguaros from seed, volunteers will foster them in their homes. With the help of our community, the Garden is preparing for a future where these towering plants continue to thrive, even as the city around them grows hotter and drier.
The Garden began this work in May by giving new life to seedlings that were gently transplanted by Garden volunteers, with many trays going home as part of our first-ever Saguaro Seedlings Rescue Nursery. We also kicked off our first community seed workshop, where participants planted seeds harvested from saguaros—an important step in filling gaps in global conservation collections.
Throughout the month, germination updates poured in from 3% to over 90%. Every tray has become a living experiment, teaching us about light, temperature and seed ripeness of the plants.
We also saw our work gain wider attention: Dr. Tania Hernandez shared insights on radio show “Rosie on the House” and Dr. Kevin Hultine spoke with CBS News about how heat and drought are shaping the future of saguaros. Meanwhile, our community gathered again to transplant another round of rescued seedlings—hands of all kinds, coming together over trays of soil and tiny green lives.
