Cactus Down

Photos by Lisa E White

January has brought extreme weather to Phoenix with records set for cold, heat and now rain.  Scottsdale received nearly three inches of rain last week, about one third of the normal for the year.  Two cacti in our yard did not survive the drenching.  We will be able to salvage a few arms of the 25 year old cereus peruvianus in the back as they easily root, and the prickly pear in the front will survive with some tension cables.  This cactus is special as it was a volunteer that just grew on its own, and the pads begin as hearts before they fully form, making it perfect for this I Love Scottsdale blog.  You can see a little heart on the left side.  We are lucky to not live in an area with tornadoes, hurricanes or earthquakes, but mother nature has a way of showing us how little we are.