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| It is common for ocotillo to lose its leaves in the winter months like this one. But it should put on some new growth and new leaves in the spring. |
A. Ocotillo is a desert plant so it has special
characteristics that allow it to survive when water is not available.
The first
response ocotillo displays to a lack of water is to drop its leaves. Another
reason it may drop its leaves is from the soil around its roots staying too
wet. That makes diagnosis of leaf drop difficult.
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| Ocotillo does not require alot of care in Las Vegas like Cathy and Bill's ocotillo. Water and fertilize infrequently. |
If ocotillo
is put on a “normal” irrigation schedule used for most home landscape plants, it
would most likely receive water too often. It would, ideally, be irrigated with
agave and yucca in a landscape, not photinia and star jasmine for instance.
It can
tolerate frequent watering ONLY if water drains from the soil quickly. If water
in the soil drains easily then it might be able to handle the same irrigation
frequency as photinia and star jasmine even though it would not be ideal for
it.
It can
probably handle an irrigation frequency of about once every two to three weeks in
the summer but not more often than once a week.
In winter changed
it to once every 4 to 6 weeks. When it with enough water to wet the soil at its
base to a depth of about 18 inches. Three or four emitters spaced about 18
inches from an established plant would be adequate in most soils.
If you choose
to water with a hose, filling a basin around the plant would make it easier to
water. Watch for leaf discoloration or leaf drop to signal a time to rewater. Eventually
this will help you anticipate a watering schedule for the plant.
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