Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society

When most people think of the desert, they think dry, brown, and dusty. It can be all of that, and more. For example, the photo to the left (a tricocereus) was taken right here in Tucson, just a day or so ago. Not quite brown and dusty is it?

In fact, right now a number of things are blooming here in the desert, although they are mostly cacti of some sort: prickly pears, chollas, and even the saguaros are starting to bloom. And what is nice is that cacti bloom every year without fail. It doesn't matter how much or how little rain we get, they bloom. That, and the minimal care that is needed, make cacti one of the best landscape plants for Tucson in my opinion. To make it even easier, you should get native cacti. That way there is no wories about the plants getting too much sun. Yes, too much sun. The first year we lived in Tucson, we went out and picked up a number of cacti from one of the nurseries in town and nearly all of the cacti ended up dying from sunburn. Ah well, live and learn and pass it on.

To avoid problems like acclimitization, I generally buy cacti for the yard from the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (click on the title) sales. They offer up rescued plants at terrific prices, and for the most part you can just put them in the ground, cover them with shade cloth for a season, and you're done. If you're looking for great blooms, check out the hedgehogs (echinocereus spp.), you won't be dissappointed.

Grand Canyon

I've lived in Tucson a fair number of years, and surprisingly (to me), I've only been to the Grand Canyon once. Just once, and that was late last year. The reason it's surprising is that it is relatively close: 4 to 5 hour drive. A half of a day to get to one of the most spectacular locations in North America.

If you're like me, you tend to put off those close by attractions in favor of something more exotic. Something distant, perhaps a plane trip overseas. And by doing so you miss out on some really great experiences. I tend to think this is natural, but kind of a shame, really. You (and I) should spend more of our time doing things close by. Learn about the area we live in. Eat the regional foods. Visit those small local shrines. These are what makes it so exciting to live in Tucson.

So with that, get out and start exploring!

Cinema La Placita

Ok, I know a number of people are asking when Cinema La Placita will start showing the free movies downtown, and which movies are the showing. I get asked because I attend regularly, but I'm not affiliated with Cinema La Placita in any other way.

Well, I don't know the answer to the second question. But to the first, Cinema La Placita should start up the first Thursday in May.

Now while the movies are technically free, they're not really free, or at least shouldn't be for most people attending. It does cost money to put on the shows, and the amount isn't insignificant, either. Now I know you say to yourself, "I can run down to the video store and rent this movie for $3, how can it cost much more to show it outdoors?" Well, for one thing, when you rent a movie from the video store, it's for home use. Not for public viewing. When you show a movie publicly, you must pay licensing fees.

So between the licensing fees, the popcorn, the security staff, and everything else showing one movie costs around $600. Yes, $600. Over a season that's around $15000. So you see it's not free. But where does that money come from? Not from the city. Not from a grant. Not from a wealthy benefactor. It comes from you and me -- the patrons. All of the costs of putting on Cinema La Placita come from donations. Every dime.

And the audience could definitely stand to kick in a bit more; last year they contributed around $4000. Just a bit over 25% of the cost. You can see that's not sustainable. So this season, dig deeper. I know it's tough. But do it anyway and chip in your $5 (per person) when you go to the movie. Keep the series going. It's up to you.

Se you there!

Agave

I just thought that I'd include another photo of an agave. This also was taken out at ASDM and I happen to like it for the way it shows off the "ghost leaves," or impressions leaves embedded in other leaves that formed when the agave was a tight rosette.

Hope you like it.

A Closer Look at Cactus and Succulents

Opening today are two great exhibits that anyone interested in the beauty of the desert should see: A Closer Look at Cactus and Succulents and Gentry's Agaves. Both are out at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. While they are officially opening today, I happened to get a quick sneak peek yesterday. As usual, the quality of the artwork presented at ASDM is just amazing.

While these exhibits will be around to June 7, 2009, I'd suggest that you get out there before then as it is too easy to forget about going.

Now just in case youo think that the photo is one of the pieces you'll see, it isn't. It's one I took yesterday.