Mass Blooming of The World’s Largest Private Collection of Peniocereus Greggii

Mass Blooming of The World’s Largest Private Collection
of Peniocereus Greggii May Be Just Days Away

Tucson, AZ – Every summer thousands of Tucsonans visit the gardens at Tohono Chul to catch a glimpse of the majesty and beauty of the Queen of the Night, the night-blooming cereus Peniocereus greggii. When the summer heat begins to build, the buds of the Sonoran Desert native night-blooming cereus begin to appear. After a period of start-and-stop growth, the buds blossom in a mass blooming on one night. Although the exact night is still unknown, their plant expert just reported that is looks likely to happen sometime this weekend. Bloom Night guests will experience the magnificentPeniocereus greggii in its full glory with illuminated trails leading to each plant, refreshments from The Garden Bistro, a plant presentation, and live music.

Marvel at the gorgeous flowers and breathe in the intense and intoxicating scent at this one-of-a-kind event found nowhere else. Tickets are available at the door for $5 for general public, and admission is free for members and children under 12. Visit https://tohonochul.org/bloom-watch/ to sign up for email alerts and be sure to follow Tohono Chul on Facebook and Instagram for photos and up-to-the-moment news.

Bloom Night attendees need to know:
· Event runs from 6-10 p.m.
· $5 general public | free for members
· Wear closed-toe walking shoes
· Bring a flashlight and water bottle

Since the cactus cannot self-pollinate, the plants must bloom on the same evening to ensure successful pollination, usually by hawk moths. The more blooms that are open, the greater the chances of pollination. They’ve been studying the night-blooming cereus for over 20 years, and they still don’t know what triggers the bloom. The best they can figure out is there is some type of chemical communication amongst the cacti. Bloom Night is no small feat considering the event cannot be called until the day of the bloom. Upon the official bloom call, Tohono Chul galvanizes its forces, enlisting dozens of volunteers for help, and using social media to promote the magnificent occasion.

Tohono Chul is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and inspiring wise stewardship of the natural world. For more information about Bloom Night please visit https://tohonochul.org/bloom-watch/ or call 520-742-6455.