Part of My New Ocotillo is Dying

Q. My Ocotillo appears to be dying. It was planted this year and the left side has lost all its green leaves but the right side looks perfectly okay. Do you have any ideas what happened?

A. Yes, I have seen it before. It is probably because it is watered too often, the soil didn’t drain water fast enough and consequently some roots rotted. Common problem with some desert adapted plants. They don’t like soils that are kept wet.

Visit planting suggestions for ocotillo in Arizona

A healthy ocotillo survives.

            When roots begin rotting on one side of a plant, it can lead to dieback in the tops. If leaves first came out and then died, it means water stopped getting to the leaves because roots died. If roots are dead when it is planted, leaves may come out and then die back or the entire plant can die.

Why is it sometimes ocotillo lives and sometimes dies? It is usually because of water. In some way, the problem is nearly always associated with water.

            Roots can die after it has been planted or they can be dead at the time of planting. Partial root death can be caused by poor storage and handling conditions at the nursery. But the usual reason is because it is watered too often after planting.

            Let’s cover the basics of planting an ocotillo. 
            Dig the hole three times the size of its roots. Amend the soil with compost, about 50/50, and use this soil for planting. As you are planting, add water to the soil in the hole to settle it and remove air pockets.

            Cut it loose. Ocotillo stems are tied together so they don’t get damaged when they are in storage and transported. After planting, cut the stems loose and let them spring outward.

            Stake it. Ocotillo has very small roots compared to its top. Grow enough roots so it can support top growth. Frequently the plant will not stay upright after planting because it is top heavy. Use rebar to stake the plant in three locations to immobilize roots. Tie rebar tostems so that the roots can’t move. You might have to leave it staked for over a year.

            Water it. Water it no more than once a week. At first, water near the base of plant to supply the roots water. Use a 2 – foot diameter basin to hold the water near the roots. As the plant shows signs of growth, apply water further from its base. This encourages roots to grow outward, away from the base, and support the top.
            Don't plant it in a low spot. This is where water collects and will kill it. The soil must have good drainage and become dry after it is wet.

            Some people will spray the stems with water daily after planting. They claim it helps establish the plant. There is no solid evidence to support this idea but it may help.

            Once established, ocotillo should be watered more often than cacti but less often than nondesert plants. Remember, they don’t like wet soils! They are a desert plant. Watering daily would be a big mistake.

See
http://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2012/04/planting-ocotillos-so-they-dont-die.html
http://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2014/04/planting-and-watering-ocotillo.html
http://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2014/08/ocotillo-two-years-and-not-green.html
http://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2014/04/ocotillo-watering-should-be-infrequent.html

Ocotillo Two Years and Not Green

Q. I bought an ocotillo 2 years ago and it has yet to turn green and become alive. Should I get a new one? I do not know how to move forward on this.

Not readers ocotillo but still an ocotillo during winter.

A. It may have been dead when you bought it or it may have died after you planted it. Yes, replace it. Two years is long enough to wait. I provided some documents to help get you off to a better start with your ocotillo.

http://www.dbg.org/system/files/55/original/Planting%20Ocotillo.pdf?1279065377

http://www.tucsoncactus.org/pdf_files/TCSS_Ocotillo_Planting.pdf

http://www.starnursery.com/media/SN_Tips/SN415_Ocotillo-Care.pdf