Question
pruned ocotiilo
Thanks Russell. I am in AZ, the thorn branches come out from the spongy stalks low and high - I want my Ocotillo to look like the picture, with no thorns. If I understand you I can prune all the thorn branches where they grow out from the spongy stalks with no concerns, just making sure to keep the "wounds" dry, right?
AnswerHey, Mike.
So what you want to do is create a thornless plant by taking the time to cut every thorn off of it? I've never heard of anyone doing that.
Here's the problem that you might face if you do that.
The thorns are the plant's protection. They not only provide defense against various birds and animals that would like to get to the stalks for water, but they also help keep the plant cool by shading those stalks. If you cut every thorn off of one that is as tall as that in the picture, you could lose it to sunburn or wildlife.
If you choose to cut the thorns off, I'd suggest cutting one branch at a time, and sections at a time, in order to decrease the likelihood of sunburn, which is my greatest concern.
Here's what I would do, especially since we are coming up on the hot summer:
Let's say that the plant is six feet tall. Remove the thorns in one foot areas, beginning at the bottom, but only do it for 25% of the stalks. Wait a week before doing any others to see how it reacts. Check it daily for evidence of drying out, sunburn, and wildlife damage.
If all is well, do another 25% of the stalks in the bottom 12 inches. Wait a week.
That should take four weeks to remove all the thorns from the bottom 12 inches. The upper stalks should help protect the bottom of the stalks from sun damage, but without the thorns at the bottom of the plant, wildlife could be a problem.
If all is well, take the next four weeks to do the section 12-24 inches from the ground, about 25% of the time. Make sure that you check each day for sun damage, drying out, and wildlife.
Continue that pattern and I think you'll be okay.
You might need to water it during the extreme days of Arizona heat -- 105?or more -- since it will not have thorns to help shade it's stalks.
Keep me informed and let me know if you have any questions or concerns, and provide pictures. They are really helpful when working long distance like this.
Russel
