Q. DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND YOUR MONTHLY MEETINGS?

A. No, all are welcome, bring a friend.  There are some member privileges though like being able to check out books, being invited to special events such as our Desert Garden Tours, Good Times Silent Auction and other events for Members. See our Meetings page for Meeting dates and speaker details.

Q. How can I join your club?

A. You can join online using a credit card or fill out a form and mail us a check.  Annual dues are $15 for single membership, and $20 for a family membership; $10 extra per year if you want to get the newsletter in the mail (black/white, web is color). Newsletters are available on-line for all to view.

Q. How do I find out about volunteer opportunities?

A. We have lots of potential areas for your participation. You can review our list of Committees and Teams to see if there are areas of interest.

Q. I have a cactus in my yard I don’t want, will you come get it?

A. Possibly.  We accept specimen quality succulents for Pima Prickly Park. Email a photo and description of your possible plant donation to TCSS@TucsonCactus.org

Q. I have Cholla and Prickly Pear cactus growing too close to my sidewalk, what can I do?

A. Most cactus can be trimmed and shaped. The cuttings can be planted to make more plants. Let the cuttings heal over in the shade for a couple of weeks then plant them. Use metal tongs to hold the part to cut off and cut with a clean tree saw or serrated knife.

Q. Where can I buy your Rescue Cacti?

A. Presently you can only buy our Rescue Cacti at our sales.  We normally have several sales each year but it is totally dependent on availability and how much construction is happening in our area.  You can get on our notification Non-Members Email list or just check our Calendar from time to time for dates and location.

Q. Do you donate cactus for Neighborhood HOA or School Projects?

A. Sorry, we do not donate any cactus. We do have a School Grant Program that can be used by K-12 schools in Arizona to request money for Cactus and Succulent Projects. See our School Grants Information.

Q. Do you ship your Rescue Cacti?

A. No, we are not a business and only sell our rescued cacti at our sales.  Many of our Member Nurseries in Tucson ship cacti.

Q. How do I find out what Cacti you sell?

A. We almost always have Fishhook Barrels, Hedge Hogs, and Pincushions.  We sometimes have Saguaros and Ocotillos.  When we post a sale date on our web, we try to indicate what type of cactus we will be selling. If you are a TCSS member, you will be notified of all sales and sometimes we have a Members Only sale if we have a limited number of cacti. If you are not a TCSS member, you can get on our notification Non-Members Email list or just check our Calendar from time to time for dates and location.

Q. I need a bunch of cactus to landscape my new home.   Do you give discounts?

A. Yes, if you are a TCSS member, you get a 10% discount on rescued cactus at our sales. Also, if you join TCSS and come to one of our rescues and help dig and haul your own plants home you only pay our out of pocket costs which is less than half of our sales prices.  Cactus under 8 inches are $1 each, saguaros are $8 each, all others are $6 each. We do have purchase limits per crew member that varies from rescue to rescue.

Q. I need a tall saguaro and some yucca.  Can you tell me where to get them?

A. There are many great  places in the Tucson area, we do not give referrals.  We suggest you start by calling our reputable TCSS Member Nurseries listed on our Member Businesses page and check their prices and availability. For Saguaro moving, look in the yellow pages under cactus and also cacti, we do not give referals.

Q. I have a cactus that fell over, what can I do?

A. Check the cause.  Is it rotted at the base?  If so it is probably gone.  If it looks healthy, many can simply be replanted (especially barrels, cholla, prickly pear and ocotillo).  If it is a Cholla or Prickly Pear and is too big to handle, take cuttings (handle with metal tools only), leave them in the shade for a week and then plant them deep enough to hold them upright.

Q. I have a Saguaro that is all brown at the base, is it sick?

A. Older Saguaros are often brown and darker at the base, just old age, this is normal. If there are soft spots or the cactus is dripping a dark liquid, then there is cause to be concerned.

Q. I bought a Cactus from you and forgot what you said about planting it, where can I find this information?

A. See our Cactus Rescue Crew page which has our planting guide brochures listed so you can read them or print one.

Q. I bought an Ocotillo and it is not getting green leaves but my neighbors is. What can I do?

A. See our Cactus Rescue Crew page for brochures , which has a special Ocotillo brochure. All Ocotillo do not respond the same, some will have leaves, some not, some bloom, some not. It can easily take 2 to 3 years for a transplanted Ocotillo to get re-established, many do not make it if they are larger specimens. They should be watered regularly to get them re-established and spray the canes whenever possible.

Q. I have a tall cacti that is blooming red, can you tell me what it might be?

A. Be sure you are looking at the bloom and not the fruit as to the color.  Saguaros bloom white but have lots of red fruit after the blooms.  Check our About Cacti page to find cacti by name or bloom color, etc.

Q. Can I sell or give away all the cactus on my property?

A. Maybe. If it is a native cacti and it is growing in its original location (or a saguaro over 4 feet tall) then you must get a permit and tags for each cacti from the Arizona Department of Agricultural prior to removing it from your property.  See our links about Legal Aspects of Removing Native Plants at the bottom of our Cactus Rescue Crew page.