Question

cactus 001   QUESTION: I moved into my home about 6 month ago.  There is a 12' suaguaro cactus in the front yard.  A couple of months ago the temperature dropped to freezing and it took a tole on my cactus.  I called a "cactus expert" who said suaguaro are to strong to freeze but I don't know what else would have caused the arms to fall.
I need any help I can get as to how to remove the arms (chain saw?), and then how to replant them.  Also, as you can see from the pictures the cactus itself seems to be suffering from something (bird holes?)
I cannot afford to have someone come take care of it but I am willing to do whatever I can myself.
Thank you,
Sandy

ANSWER: Dear Sandy,

From what I can see the main plant is really infected with rot and looks dead or at least well on it's way.  That's why I think that right limb fell.  There was no nutrition going to it and it is also infected but not dead. How very sad that the previous owners neglected it so.

With help (seriously don't attempt this alone#, saw or chain saw, a spray bottle of 1 part fungicide, 1 part bleach and 8 parts water,  and a large piece of carpet, cut the viable arms off as close to the main stem as possible.  Use the carpet to protect yourself from the spines. You will need to eradicate the rot #the black holes# on the stems by using a sterile knife, scraper, etc. to get rid of all the rot in the arms.  Once you have done that spray those areas as well and where you cut the arms from the main stem. Saguaro arm tips can be rooted out as well #if you see any healthy tips# but it will take from eight to sixteen months The full stem is a bit faster, 4-8 mo.) First you must allow the saguaro cacti tips and stems to air dry in shade for three to four months before planting. Make sure the bottom of the tips are calloused and hard. Use about an 18 gal container for each section. Plant the tips in a 40% top soil to 60% sand mixture. Plant the tip by covering only two or three inches of the bottom of it with the soil and sand mixture. Add water at initial planting and then not again until it begins to root out - you will see new growth. I would plant them in pots and keep them there for about a year. You should probably use shade cloth initially and keep them out of direct sunlight - at least till you know they are rooted,  Then you can gradually give them more sun.

I am concerned about the main stem and you trying to cut limbs off it. It may be quite unsteady because of the rot but still weigh 1,000lbs or it could be hollow and collapse.  If it tips over it could really hurt you.  Saguaros are protected so I would call your local university agriculture extension and ask to speak with a horticultural who is a  saguaro specialist specifically about your issue as well as how and where to remove a dead plant.  There are laws that protect moving, removing, etc. these plants.  Ask if it's safe for you to remove heathy stems from a badly infected main stem, ie. will the main stem tolerate it or will it fall over?

If all is well and you get rid of the bacteria #very messy - wear a mask) make sure you get the stuff you removed put far away, don't compost any of it.  Also spray the ground the stuff fell on and if you have to remove the main stem, the hole it was in with the mixture I mentioned above. When you eventually replant, I would do it in another area to be on the safe side.

I know it's hard when you don't have money but I can't emphasize enough how careful you have to be with these huge, heavy cacti. That's why specialists are recommended for pruning and removal of Saguaros

Please let me knew how you make out and if I can help you any further.

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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Maureen,
Thank you very much for your expert advise it is the most help I have gotten and I sincerely appreciate it.
After reading your answer I am still not quite sure if you are telling me the broken arms might be transplantable or if they appear too diseased.  I'm not sure if you can see from the pictures but there are two arms still attached that seem in pretty good shape.  Should I remove all of the arms an try to root them.  Do arms, limbs and stems mean the same thing?  I don't know what you mean my arm tips and full stems.  There are actually two broken arms on the right of the cactus both about 4' and two upright on the left side one about 4' and one about 3'.  Other than that it sounds like the original body of the cactus cannot be saved and I should carefully dispose of it.
Thank you very very much for all of your help,
Sandy

Answer
Dear Sandy,

Sorry I wasn't more clear. Yes, I think the broken arms are transplantable.  Make a clean cut above the break and let them callous as I described.  You can remove all  of the arms and try to root them and yeas arms, limbs, stems are all the same thing.  Arm tips would be the tips of the broken arms and full stems I should have said full arms, those that are still connected to the mother plant.  The two full arms that I can see on the right and left (the right is falling) do have some black spots that would indicate rot.  You need to cut into it to see how extensive it is, especially on the one that is falling. If you can clean the spots out thoroughly, then spry them with 1 part leach, 1 part fungicide and 8 parts water and let hem also callous over.  If the damage is just too extensive than I'd concentrate on the cleanest arms or arm tips and throw the really bad ones away.  I really would like you to contact your agricultural extension about trying to remove those arms from a very large, diseased mother plant. I don't want you to risk getting injured an they will have a better sense of what a plant with that much disease will tolerate.  REALLY IMPORTANT!!!

Does that help?  If not let me know.

Careful!