Q. I have a golden barrel cactus that has grown to 3ft
wide in a place that I cannot leave where it is. It’s a beautiful specimen, but
I have to remove it. Any ideas on how to move it? The thorns are lethal.
wide in a place that I cannot leave where it is. It’s a beautiful specimen, but
I have to remove it. Any ideas on how to move it? The thorns are lethal.
A. Now is actually a good time to move cacti. They can be
moved any time except during, and about two months before, winter weather sets
in. Unlike many other types of plants they do well moved in the summer.
moved any time except during, and about two months before, winter weather sets
in. Unlike many other types of plants they do well moved in the summer.
When we
have moved these sized cacti in the past they were easy to move, taking the
relocation without a hitch. We used a lot of thick gloves and old carpet remnants.
We dug a trench around the cactus with a pick about 12 to 18 inches from the
plant to a depth of about one foot.
have moved these sized cacti in the past they were easy to move, taking the
relocation without a hitch. We used a lot of thick gloves and old carpet remnants.
We dug a trench around the cactus with a pick about 12 to 18 inches from the
plant to a depth of about one foot.
We then
watered the trench to loosen the soil a bit and make digging easier in that
lousy soil. We then began under cutting the plant to loosen the soil and cut
the roots. We stopped when the roots had mostly all been cut and the plant
seemed easy to roll with leverage from a shovel.
watered the trench to loosen the soil a bit and make digging easier in that
lousy soil. We then began under cutting the plant to loosen the soil and cut
the roots. We stopped when the roots had mostly all been cut and the plant
seemed easy to roll with leverage from a shovel.
Laying
the carpet remnant to the side of the plant we were able to free the cacti and
roll it on to the carpet pad. We then placed the cactus in a shady spot to heal
the cut roots for two to three days before we planted it again.
the carpet remnant to the side of the plant we were able to free the cacti and
roll it on to the carpet pad. We then placed the cactus in a shady spot to heal
the cut roots for two to three days before we planted it again.
Our hole
was dug and amended with compost, phosphorus and large rocks removed. The hole
was cleared so that it was larger than the root ball of the cactus.
was dug and amended with compost, phosphorus and large rocks removed. The hole
was cleared so that it was larger than the root ball of the cactus.
After
that healing period we moved the cactus to its new location and gently rolled
it into its new location. We then placed
the amended soil around the roots and watered it in to remove air pockets.
that healing period we moved the cactus to its new location and gently rolled
it into its new location. We then placed
the amended soil around the roots and watered it in to remove air pockets.
We tried
to get the cactus at the same depth as it was in its old location. After the
soil had drained of water we came back and added more amended soil until it was
at the same depth and watered it in again.
to get the cactus at the same depth as it was in its old location. After the
soil had drained of water we came back and added more amended soil until it was
at the same depth and watered it in again.
Once
planted at the right depth we then watered deeply around the cactus no more
than once every two to three weeks in the summer heat. In the fall it dropped
to once a month and the winter only once during the winter cold.
planted at the right depth we then watered deeply around the cactus no more
than once every two to three weeks in the summer heat. In the fall it dropped
to once a month and the winter only once during the winter cold.
The next
spring we watered once a month and increased it to every two to three weeks
during the summer heat until we saw signs of growth. We then had to make a
decision whether we wanted to make it grow more or not.
spring we watered once a month and increased it to every two to three weeks
during the summer heat until we saw signs of growth. We then had to make a
decision whether we wanted to make it grow more or not.
If we
wanted it to grow, we kept it on the same watering routine and added nitrogen
every few months. If not, we reduced the watering to twice or three times
during the summer and once during the winter with no additional fertilizer. I
hope this helps.
wanted it to grow, we kept it on the same watering routine and added nitrogen
every few months. If not, we reduced the watering to twice or three times
during the summer and once during the winter with no additional fertilizer. I
hope this helps.
Gorgeous!
Thank you for the info. I have one that has many side ones. The mother is close to 45 yrs in this spot. I have been wanting to plant the growth but afraid of harming the main one. Now I feel, with help I can do this. Thanks again.
Good luck with it!!! We will all learn from you.