My Pesky Buyers in Salem Oregon found just the right home here in Sun City Mesquite NV and went home to pack and move. Little did Marilyn and Art know that they had a treasure in their new backyard. The Giant Argentine Pipe Cactus is common in the Mesquite desert landscape - it grows well in the desert in Nevada, Arizona and Utah. But their cactus had 46 buds growing as we were getting ready to close escrow. The seller had moved out a few weeks ago, and I kept going over to the house to check on the cactus, and take pictures of the blooms to show the new owners when they arrived.
We had a long winter in Mesquite, with lots of cloudy days and over 7 inches of rain already in 2011. That is almost twice our usual annual average. So when the Mesquite area desert cactus plants finally started to bloom, it was spectacular. Cactus grows well here, as well as many flowering shrubs and trees - including prize winning roses. In the desert. Mesquite is sitting on a huge aquifer, so we have our own water - full of minerals that the plants love.
The day after Art and Mike arrived at their new Sun City home, many of the cactus buds were starting to open. I was with some other buyers that day, and told them about it. The Argentine cactus blooms might only last one day before withering. Joanne and Keith were good sports about my little mission to get a picture of the "Argentine Cactus with The Most Blooms." They didn't seem to mind dropping by the house every couple of hours in between looking at Mesquite homes. Joanne took a couple of pictures, too.
By late afternoon, I thought I had some great shots with 8 to 10 blooms at a time. But Art called me after dinner and said, "you better get up here."
23 of the buds had bloomed, each flower was about 10 inches across, and the sun was about to set. I got this photo right before the sun set that night. And the next morning .... all withered already, completely dried up by the next evening.
I got my shot of the Argentine Giant Cactus just in time - the best in my collection of desert blooms! Next: the largest and bloomiest Ocotillo in Mesquite - and I already know where it is. :)
Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent ~ ~ ERA
Virginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor
Pet Friendly Mesquite NV
Homes - Townhomes - Condos for Sale
50 - 55 + Active Adult Communities
Mesquite Gated Golf Course Neighborhoods
702 622-1177
According to 
