Back in April, Henry and I celebrated Earth Day in part by attending the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society’s Earth Day sale. I wrote earlier about the plants we purchased for the transformation of our front yard. At that event, I also got a chance to sow saguaro seeds and take home a container filled with potential baby saguaros.
The photo above was taken a week later, when a host of those seeds had sprouted. All those baby saguaros were thriving in a carefully curated mix of dampened soil components enclosed in a mini terrarium of sorts that started life as a plastic takeout container. I’m not supposed to remove the lid, but let the container sit in a warm spot with indirect sun (as opposed to being outdoors in our triple-digit heat!).
At this point, most of these baby saguaros have died off. I’m guessing it’s because some type of bug ended up trapped in that warm, moist environment. (I’ve seen its tracks in the condensation on the cover of the container.) A few baby saguaros have managed to survive—and they look exactly the same as they do in this picture—over two months later.
So, what has happened during that time? It’s hard to tell, but I’m guessing those tiny plants are fending off the bug and focusing attention on growing roots to establish themselves ahead of our upcoming monsoon rains. When you intend to live for 200 years, you don’t have to rush your growth.
Growing anything from seed is an exercise in hope. Nurturing baby saguaros is an exercise in long-term hope. These towering desert giants take decades to develop. They won’t begin to flower until they are over forty years old—and might not develop their distinctive arms until they have lived for close to a century.
Yet we plant seeds anyway. As I mentioned last month, birds build nests and we build homes that illustrate our hope for future thriving. We persist in believing a viable future is possible. I will not live to see any of those baby saguaros sprout arms, but I’ll start the process anyway. I’m willing to think very long-term.
How are you thinking long-term these days? What are you nurturing—or what could you choose to nurture?
Well this is a theme that I do believe becomes increasingly meaningful, at least in my experience, with aging. I’m spending my “third and fourth chapters” here in Costa Rica. It is an environment renowned for it’s biodiversity & extraordinary fecundity. It deserves the reputation of “Pura Vida!”
What that translates for me now, is witnessing, every day really, this miracle we call growth. What is the biblical reference, something to the effect of, “Thou plantest the seed, though the Lord provides the growth?”
I ponder this often. Even as an experienced gardener – especially so – this concept allows great humility & grace to enter into “allowing” me to participate in this everyday mystery.
Oh, Alex, thank you for sharing your current experience with growth. No matter our age, growth continues…as we also learn when we transplant(!) ourselves to a new place and climate. May you enjoy the humility, the humus, and the fecundity around you!
Peace,
Shirin
Shirin
We have been in triple digit heat for a couple of weeks now and it looks to continue for some time to come. I’m watering my gardens almost daily now so as to keep my seed planted veggies growing and soon producing food. But just last week after harvesting my fall planted garlic, I planted my favorite seed. Green, yellow and purple beans. I don’t know what it is about planting beans but they bring me such joy. Always have! Big fat seeds, big fat seedlings that grow into big fat plants that produce big quantities of most delicious beans.
If I didn’t have my gardening and growing of houseplants, I’d be a rather grumpy person. I’ve always been joyful in all manner of gardens throughout the US and my gratitude is walking with God in them.
Blessings and prayers, Nila
Oh, Nila, my prayers are with you and your garden—and all of us on and in Mother Earth who are struggling with these challenging summer temperatures. May your beans flourish in all their beautiful (and mardi-gras-theme colored) variety! I hear you about the joy that gardening brings, and the gifts that come with watching things grow. Long may it continue!
Peace,
Shirin
Along the line of your reflection, a friend gave me a card which I keep on display… a saying by Nelson Henderson:
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”.
Thank you, Mo, that is a powerful reminder. Let us do so!
Peace,
Shirin