9 Steps to Transplanting Cacti Without Injury
Living in the high desert, in states such as Arizona and Nevada, gives gardeners a different perspective on the types of plants in their garden. Cacti and other spiny bushes are native to the area and are popular among residents. However, their prickly exterior makes it rather difficult to plant, remove, or transplant to a new location. By working carefully and tactfully, transplanting cacti doesn’t have to hurt.
Step One: Preparation
Be sure to find a suitable new home for your cactus before you start digging. The new location should have the same amenities as the previous habitat. Once you’ve chosen a desirable location with similar conditions, you can start the removal process.
Step Two: Orientation
Mark the side of the cactus that gets full sun so the orientation is the same when the cactus resides in its new home. Otherwise your cactus can succumb to sunburn damage. Tying a string or applying a tag is best and won’t harm the exterior of the cactus.
Step Three: Extraction
Use a shovel to dig around the roots, about 6 inches away from the base of the plant. Use caution when digging to avoid striking the fragile roots beneath the surface. Cactus roots are fleshy and close to the soil surface. Once the plant has been loosened, work the shovel under the root ball and gently pry the root from the soil.
Step Four: Positioning
Don’t underestimate the weight of a cactus because of its fragile nature. Cacti retain a lot of water, which makes them surprisingly heavy. The best way to get a grip of a heavy ball of spikes is to tie a garden hose around it, or use a thick blanket. If your cactus is too heavy to transport yourself, have a professional service assist you.
Position the hose slightly below the center of the plant and gently lift it from the soil. Carefully place the plant on its side to attend to the roots. Trim the damaged parts of the roots so they don’t decompose and make the plant susceptible to pathogens as they rot.
Step Five: Aeration
Allow the cactus roots to air dry for a couple of days. Place the cactus in the shade or under a shade cloth to prevent sunburn damage. Air drying allows the trimmed roots to scab over to prevent pathogens from entering the healthy root ends.
Step Six: Transportation
Since cacti can be very fragile, but heavy, using a wheel barrel or hand truck is best. Be sure to use adequate padding (a blanket, rubber, or piece of foam) to avoid damaging the spines or ribs.
Step Seven: Excavation
Dig a shallow hole in the new location and add a bit of compost to the soil to moisten the roots. Adding pumice or perlite will help drain the roots to eliminate overwatering.
Place the cactus in the hole and align the plant to the same direction as its original location. Use the garden hose to help position the cactus without having to touch the spines. Fill in the hole and pack the dirt up to the base of the plant. This will eliminate any air pockets or uneven settling.
Step Eight: Irrigation
Water the cactus thoroughly to pact the soil tightly around the base and irrigate the roots. Watering the plant two times a week should be sufficient to establish rooting. If the nighttime temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, do not water the plant at all.
Step Nine: Protection
Covering your transplanted cactus with a shade or a cheese cloth will protect it from sunburn. Leave the shade on the cactus for several weeks until growth resumes. A cloth may not be necessary in cooler temperatures.
Ideal Planting Conditions
If you are considering moving a cactus plant, be mindful of the climate. Even in the high desert, winter months have extremely cold nights, which can upset root establishment. Cactus should not be transplanted during the winter or if nighttime temperatures dip below 60 degree Fahrenheit. Successful cactus transplants also require similar abiotic factors that the original location offered. By following these steps cacti can be transplanted without a handful of spikes.
Syd Martin writes for Premiere Tree Services. Topics of interest include nature, green living, and environmental issues.
