Is my Ocotillo dead?

Asked by: Jim Self

Check if the branches (or canes) are flexible. If you can bend them without breaking, your ocotillo is still alive. Ocotillos contain green pigment on the stems, which helps them create energy via photosynthesis even when they don’t have leaves. You can check for this green pigment by wetting a stem.

How do you revive a dormant ocotillo?

It’s said that drenching ocotillos with water will do the same, and explains why folks spray theirs up to three times a day in summer heat to wake them up from long dormancy and stimulate vegetative growth.

How can we save the ocotillo plant?

Ocotillo plant is then irrigated once a week during the summer while it is establishing. Water rarely in winter and continue good ocotillo care by weighting down the area around the roots with rocks to prevent it from falling over and to conserve moisture.

What is the lifespan of an ocotillo?

It’s true! Ocotillo branches can reach heights up to 20-feet — that’s one tall plant! It’s estimated ocotillos can live up to 60 years, studies also indicate some could possibly be over 100 years in age.

Can you replant broken ocotillo?

Dig a hole at least 4 to 6 inches deep (10-15 cm.), then plant the bundle in the hole. Pack the soil firmly around the wands and stake it to help it stand upright. Water well, but don’t amend the soil even if it’s poor and don’t add fertilizer. Sit back and wait, as rooting can take months.

Do ocotillo plants go dormant?

You can see how many growth spurts it has had by looking at its stems – Just like a tree makes rings when it goes dormant in the winter, you can see when an ocotillo goes dormant between rains. A line will divide each section of growth along the stem.

Can you over water an ocotillo?

Ocotillos need full sunlight in open areas where surface water does not collect. The Ocotillo is highly drought tolerant and considered a low-water-use plant. It will require irrigation after it has been planted. Avoid over watering the soil, as too much groundwater will cause the roots of the plant to rot.

How much should I water my ocotillo?

Newly planted ocotillos should be watered every 2 weeks through the first summer and every 2-3 weeks during the first fall. For bare-root plants, continue this watering schedule until the plant shows routine growth. Monthly watering in the winter is enough for new plants.

Should you trim ocotillo?

Ocotillos: Ocotillos are multi-stemmed desert plants (Figure 22). Individual stems that have become too tall or have died should be pruned to the ground as needed. Otherwise, the remaining stems should be allowed to grow and produce flowers, which appear on the ends of the stems.

Should I fertilize ocotillo?

Fertilizer – Ocotillos do not need supplemental fertilizer. Some use a mild fertilizer like Fish Emulsion or Dr. Q’s® Desert Plant & Cactus Food once a year, which sometimes results in fast, lush growth. Too much fertilization can discourage blooming and cause overly tall, unbranched plants.

How much does an ocotillo cost?

$25 to $150

Specifics on buying Ocotillos. Ocotillos range in price from $25 to $150. Smaller plants tend to be about 2 to 3 feet tall, with 4 to 8 arms, costing about $35 to $50. Very large plants might be 12 to 14 feet tall, have 30 to 40 canes, and cost $250 to $300.

How do you get ocotillo seeds?

Collect seed from an ocotillo plant in late spring or late summer once the flowers have faded and developed into seed. Take seed only from cultivated ocotillo plants since wild ocotillos are protected throughout most of their native range. Sow the ocotillo seeds as soon as possible after gathering them.