In 2002 we were able to finalize the purchase of a large private nursery in Lake Havasu City, which contained at least 6000 plants of over a dozen main types. Of the various plants obtained, the large majority were the popular duo of golden barrel cactus and saguaros. As of this writing in late 2004, we were able to capitalize the finances of this major purchase into the successful drilling of a well and the creation of an extensive irrigation system out at Destination:Forever Ranch and Gardens. This has made the significant job of watering much more manageable, especially in the dry and hot summer months. The plants were successfully moved from Lake Havasu City to Yucca, Arizona by the beginning of 2003, and we still have many excellent-quality plants that are available to interested parties for purchase.
As a result of this good fortune, we are now able to offer juvenile saguaros for sale at a very reasonable price. These plants were grown in full sun in amended soils, with plenty of water and occasional fertilization. This means that the plants are larger than average for their height, especially the ones in the wild that must endure desert heat and drought while running a gauntlet of predatory insects and rodents for years on end prior to reaching this size. The spines are dense and long, and the body of the plant is heavier and thicker than the norm for wild ones of similar stature. If you think you are interested in possibly purchasing one of these quality specimens, please contact the General Manager at jemming@dfranch.com. When you write, let us know what size you are most interested in, how many you are considering getting, and where you live (including zip code) so that we can estimate a shipping cost to you. If you do decide to go ahead with an order after getting that information from us, we will send instructions for payment and shipping arrangements at that time.
Sizes and prices of the saguaro cactus we have for sale now are as follows:
• 6-inch tall plant - $15.00
• 10-inch tall plant - $30.00
• 15-inch tall plant - $45.00
• 20-inch tall plant - $60.00
• 25-inch tall plant - $90.00
• 30-inch tall plant - $125.00
We also have packets of around 150-200 seeds for $3.50 each so that you can grow your own.
Other columnar cactus species
In addition to the very popular and well-known saguaro cactus, we carry a number of species of large, column-forming and/or branched cactus with a single trunk, most of which are hardy to between 22F and 28F, with a couple of them going even lower than this into the 17F range for brief spells. We want to offer them for sale but don't see as many requests for them, and as such we don't list precise sizes and prices because there is a lot of variability to them and we sometimes sell out for a few months before we can obtain more. Just ask. In general, however, the plants range in size from 1 gallon pots up to 15 gallon pots, and can generally be shipped via FedEx if they are under 5 feet tall or 70 lbs in weight, which most are.
• Cereus forbesii
• Cereus peruvianus (Peruvian apple cactus, Peruvian cereus)
• Cereus peruvianus var monstrosus (crested Peruvian cereus)
• Cleistocactus strausii (silver torch cactus)
• Cleistocactus, several unknown species (this is a horticulturally difficult group to identify and there are many hybrids, but all are very attractive and possess abundant tubular red to orange flowers over a months-long season of blooming)
• Echinopsis hybrids (Easter lily cactus, very showy large and colorful flowers)
• Espostoa lanata (old man cactus)
• Lophocereus schottii (senita)
• Morawetzia doelziana (aka Oreocereus doelzianus)
• Myrtillocactus cochal
• Myrtillocactus geometrizans (candelabra cactus)
• Neobuxbaumia polylopha (golden-spined saguaro)
• Oreocereus trollii
• Oreocereus celsianus (old man of the Andes)
• Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum (Aboriginal comb-fruit cactus)
• Pachycereus pringlei (Mexican cardon)
• Stenocereus marginatus (Mexican fence post cactus)
• Stenocereus pruinosus (Mexican pitaya)
• Stenocereus thurberi (Arizona organ pipe cactus
• Stetsonia coryne (Argentine toothpick cactus)
• Trichocereus chilensis (Chilean saguaro)
• Trichocereus tacaquirensis
• Trichocereus terscheckii (Argentinean saguaro, or cardon)
• Trichocereus spachianus hybrids (Easter lily cactus, very large and nice flowers)
• Vatricania guentherii