Q. My Saguaro cactus is
beginning to lean and I’m afraid it will fall over. Landscapers were spraying weeds
with Roundup on top of the soil near it. Will Roundup hurt my Saguaro and Prickly
Pear cacti? Did the Roundup make the
Saguaro lean by hurting its roots? Do you know anyone in the Coachella Valley
who can put a brace on it so it doesn’t fall over?
A. To kill or damage
plants, Roundup must be sprayed onto the green parts of the plant. Older parts
of the plant which are not green or no longer green won’t absorb any. If your
gardeners sprayed the ground surrounding the Saguaro there should be no problem
for the Saguaro.
plants, Roundup must be sprayed onto the green parts of the plant. Older parts
of the plant which are not green or no longer green won’t absorb any. If your
gardeners sprayed the ground surrounding the Saguaro there should be no problem
for the Saguaro.
There is an exception. Roundup can move in water and
cause damage. Never spray Roundup where there is moving water.
cause damage. Never spray Roundup where there is moving water.
Any pesticide including Roundup can move with wind or
significant air movement. Never spray when there is air movement over 2 mph. never
spray the hot surface of a soil or rock because pesticides can volatilize, move
upwards with warm air and damage plants.
significant air movement. Never spray when there is air movement over 2 mph. never
spray the hot surface of a soil or rock because pesticides can volatilize, move
upwards with warm air and damage plants.
As long as
landscapers or applicators are careful around plants there should be no
problems.
landscapers or applicators are careful around plants there should be no
problems.
In my opinion, the reason your Saguaro started leaning is
because of how it’s irrigated. Saguaros support themselves with roots that
extend long distances from the plant. This stabilizes it as it gets taller.
because of how it’s irrigated. Saguaros support themselves with roots that
extend long distances from the plant. This stabilizes it as it gets taller.
If irrigation is applied close to the trunk and there is
no other water available then roots will not grow very far. As it gets larger,
it gets top-heavy and these short routes can no longer keep it upright.
no other water available then roots will not grow very far. As it gets larger,
it gets top-heavy and these short routes can no longer keep it upright.
What to do? I sent you a picture of how to properly
support a Saguaro after it has been planted and until I can get established.
Install other plants with drip irrigation at several distances away from the
Saguaro. If the soil is wet, the roots of the Saguaro will find this water and
grow further from the trunk.
support a Saguaro after it has been planted and until I can get established.
Install other plants with drip irrigation at several distances away from the
Saguaro. If the soil is wet, the roots of the Saguaro will find this water and
grow further from the trunk.