Q. I have a saguaro cactus
with three big arms growing from it leaning toward the west. On the east is my
house and shading the cactus from the morning sun. I also have been watering on
the house side of the saguaro, the up slope side, and letting the water run
downhill into the roots. I water about 3
or 4 times a year and water very slowly.
Do you have any suggestions about either stopping the
continued leaning or how to straighten the cactus to upright? Those two large saguaros have been in my yard
for 17 years.
 |
| Saguaro leaning due to shade from the house most likely |
A. These Sonoran desert
monsters are top heavy. The root system of the saguaro is fairly shallow but
expansive. This extensive but shallow root system can give this top-heavy
cactus quite a bit of support under native desert conditions. But they have
been known to blow over in high winds.
These cacti, like most, are opportunists and take shallow water from the soil before it evaporates or taken by neighboring plants. Most of the roots away from the trunk can be found at depths less than 12 inches. Watering deeply around these plants is probably a waste of water.
We put these plants in artificial desert landscapes and
put them on drip emitters or run water close to the trunk. This can lead to a
very small but dense root system close to the trunk. The roots don’t have to grow
far from the trunk for water and so doesn’t help to stabilize the plant as the
top gets bigger.
+cropped.jpg) |
| Saguaro normally does not need to be staked when transplanted but here is one method that protects the trunk |
In the meantime, we create a more expansive root system
by placing enough other desert plants close to this plant so that the
irrigations from these other plants can help the saguaro extend its root system
further from the trunk.
We could sprinkle irrigate the area around the saguaro,
simulating desert rainfall. But sprinkler irrigation can lead to weed invasion
in the landscape and weed control problems.
From the pictures you sent, obviously your watering
regime has given your saguaro some good growth but it sounds like the water is
concentrated close to the trunk. I will post the pictures of your saguaro on my
blog for others to see.
Another possibility that could contribute to the leaning is
how it was planted. If a hole was dug just large enough for the transplanted
roots, and the soil was not conditioned properly, then this will encourage the
plant to grow roots close to the trunk as well.
All cacti grow better in amended soils than in straight
desert soils or sand. Always amend soils for cacti at planting time.
What can you do now? If the plant is leaning due to the
house there is not much you can do. To give it better support put irrigation
water at greater distances from the plant and use shallower irrigations.
Like I said, giving saguaro deep watering is not going to help but getting its roots to grow wider might. If the soil is not loosened, it is best to loosen the soil surrounding the plant where you are watering to encourage growth at distances that will support top growth.
We have a 15 foot high saguaro that leans heavily, about 35 degrees, from half way up. It has a number of nest holes as well, and we fear it will fall soon. Do you recommend removal? I would like to attach a photo.
ReplyDeleteThe usual reason for saguaro to begin leaning after several years is because the roots have not spread far enough horizontally into the soil. Frequently homeowners will put a few drip emitters close to the base of the plant. Saguaro roots in the desert extend a number of feet from the trunk so that it will remain stabilized. If it has its roots close to the trunk and it gets tall and heavy, it will begin to lean because it does not have the support needed. It is important for these taller plants to have many other desert plants that receive irrigation scattered within a few feet of the trunk. The roots will follow these irrigated areas where there are plants. Do not plant saguaro all by itself with water close to the trunk.It is difficult to tell you if you should remove it or support it until you get its roots growing at greater distances from the trunk. Certainly as the plant gets taller and heavier, it will fall over. Your call on it.
DeleteWe have a 20+ saguaro started to lean this year... I now realize it is because I was base watering over the last year due to high temps... will it stop leaning if I stop base watering it? Will it straighten itself out if I water away from it on the opposite side it is ?leaning
ReplyDeleteYes, as I was mentioning above....the roots of desert plants like saguaro can extend as much as 8 times its height. This is the reason for its success in low rainfall areas. These extensive roots can grab a small amount of water that falls in very low rainfall areas because the roots are so extensive. Also roots that cover large areas surrounding tbe plant give it alot of support when it grows. Now put the same plant...a plant that puts new water into growth first and when it can get water close to its base...why spread its roots into dry soil? Plants are lazy. they take water from the easy places first. Secondly, desert plants translate this easy water into top growth...not root growth...why should it? Its hard to get water from dry soil. Easy to get water from wet soil. Your job is to deliver this water...judiciously...to a very large area under the plant so its roots grow after it. Otherwise they fall over when they get top heavy.
DeleteI have a small (3’) transplanted saguaro that started leaning after a strong wind. How can I straighten it?
ReplyDeleteHave a cactus 10 foot swaying in the wind. Afraid it will fall over how can I brace it with 2 by 4 . I see examples in places around the city. It's been in the ground for about 15 years.
ReplyDeleteHope for the best. Probably it was watered too often or too close to the trunk or both. I dont think there is much you can do at this point except water it deep (about two inches of water) but apply it less often, maybe once a month during the summer at most. Plus if it were watered less than five foot from its base then water this far out or more. These trees are used to getting water everywhere and not very often. So the further water can be applied from the trunk the better. Just make sure it is a belly washer when it gets water and then hold off for a loooong time.. In the mean time hope there are no strong winds and it stop swaying so much until the root grow out further.
Deleteif you cut a 30ft saguaro at the base, will the stump grow back another saguaro from the root system ?
ReplyDeleteI have a large saguaro (70-100+ or more). The wind broke about 10 feet off the main body. One arm reaches the height of the the original body that broke off, but the arm on the opposite just reaches up to the break. Someone suggesting cutting the larger arm where it is slightly crooked to even up the cactus. My concern is if that is cut off, the potential for infection.
ReplyDeleteIs this a good idea? Thanks David (I don't subscribe to google).