Q. After I spoke with you yesterday, I went outside and
took some pictures of my saguaro. Upon closer inspection, I found some of those
dreaded black spots you mentioned at the base of the plant. I also attempted to
move it and it wobbled back and forth. I’ll be taking it out this spring if you
think that is what should be done.
took some pictures of my saguaro. Upon closer inspection, I found some of those
dreaded black spots you mentioned at the base of the plant. I also attempted to
move it and it wobbled back and forth. I’ll be taking it out this spring if you
think that is what should be done.
A.
Sagaro Shouldnt Wobble
That “wobbling” you mentioned is bothersome to me.
These plants need to be firmly anchored into the soil if they are to remain
upright. In nature the roots of the saguaro may spread out eight times its
height. This provides firm anchorage in the soil. To get this kind of anchorage,
water needs to be applied deep and infrequently and at large distances from,
and including, the plant.
These plants need to be firmly anchored into the soil if they are to remain
upright. In nature the roots of the saguaro may spread out eight times its
height. This provides firm anchorage in the soil. To get this kind of anchorage,
water needs to be applied deep and infrequently and at large distances from,
and including, the plant.
Plant Neighboring Desert Plants
This can
be done in several ways. One method is to grow other plants coming from the
same climate zone at different distances from the saguaro. Irrigation supplied
to these plants will be enough to encourage the roots from the saguaro to
spread out. Enough water should be applied the first couple of years about a
foot deep. As the saguaro gets taller, this water should be applied so it
percolates 2 to 3 feet deep.
be done in several ways. One method is to grow other plants coming from the
same climate zone at different distances from the saguaro. Irrigation supplied
to these plants will be enough to encourage the roots from the saguaro to
spread out. Enough water should be applied the first couple of years about a
foot deep. As the saguaro gets taller, this water should be applied so it
percolates 2 to 3 feet deep.
Water Once in Awhile
Another
method, and one that I really prefer, is to take a hose on a mechanical timer
and inexpensive sprinkler and turn the water on for one hour. I would do this
on both sides of the saguaro about 6 feet from the trunk with the water
reaching the saguaro. Do this three times; in early spring, once in the summer,
and again in the fall. This timing encourages root growth of desert plants but avoids
the growth of Bermudagrass. If you see some Bermuda growing, whack the top off
with a hoe or shovel as soon as you see it. Do this once a week until it’s
gone.
method, and one that I really prefer, is to take a hose on a mechanical timer
and inexpensive sprinkler and turn the water on for one hour. I would do this
on both sides of the saguaro about 6 feet from the trunk with the water
reaching the saguaro. Do this three times; in early spring, once in the summer,
and again in the fall. This timing encourages root growth of desert plants but avoids
the growth of Bermudagrass. If you see some Bermuda growing, whack the top off
with a hoe or shovel as soon as you see it. Do this once a week until it’s
gone.
Look for Black Spots
The
“wobbling” and appearance of black spots on the outside of the saguaro tell me
that it’s probably getting watered too often and the water applied is too close
to the trunk. Those black spots or “cankers” indicate an internal rotting of
the tree.
“wobbling” and appearance of black spots on the outside of the saguaro tell me
that it’s probably getting watered too often and the water applied is too close
to the trunk. Those black spots or “cankers” indicate an internal rotting of
the tree.
You can
find out more about this and what to do by “Googling” the words “University of
Arizona” and “problems and pests of cacti”. Scroll down and a link should
appear that will take it to their publication on how to control diseases of agave,cacti, and yucca and what to do about it. Make sure you use a sharp and
sanitized knife.
find out more about this and what to do by “Googling” the words “University of
Arizona” and “problems and pests of cacti”. Scroll down and a link should
appear that will take it to their publication on how to control diseases of agave,cacti, and yucca and what to do about it. Make sure you use a sharp and
sanitized knife.
Your
call on whether to remove it or try to rescue it.
call on whether to remove it or try to rescue it.