Tucson, AZ (June 4, 2019) 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. The gardens have the world’s largest collection of this plant. 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, Bloom Night guests will experience the Peniocereus greggii y with illuminated trails leading to each plant, bites and refreshments from The Garden Bistro, lectures, and the chance to win or purchase a Queen of the Night. Marvel at the flowers and breathe in the intoxicating scent at this one-of-a-kind event found nowhere else. Tickets are available at the door for $5 for non-members. Admission is free for members and children under 12. Visit http://tohonochulpark.org/bloom-watch/ to sign up for email alerts, download their iPhone or Android app. Follow Tohono Chul on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for photos and up to the moment news.
Bloom Night attendees need to:
| · Wear closed-toe walking shoes
· Bring a flashlight |
· Stay hydrated
· Bring a camera with a flash |
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. “We’ve been studying the night-blooming cereus for over 20 years and we still don’t know what triggers the bloom. The best we can figure is there is some type of chemical communication amongst the cacti,” says Lee Mason, director of general services for Tohono Chul. 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.
For more information about Bloom Night visit http://tohonochulpark.org/bloom-watch/ or call 520-742-6455.
