Question
Hi Greg,

Thanks for your reply - it was bad news but we're determined to look into any options we might have.  Since you wrote back, we've visited a local nursery and a botanical garden for advice.  We were hopeful that perhaps the saguaro might still have a chance but we're reconciled to probably losing it.

Anyway, the guy at the botanical garden suggested that perhaps we could have the saguaro cut down aat the base, have the rotting parts removed until we get to any live or unrotted parts.  Then, let that scab over for a few weeks and then try to replant it.  It sounded peculiar but promising - what do you think?

As well, if you could send me the info. about planting the arm that would be great.  We'll be contacting a company that specializes in moving large cacti to see if we can try the first option above (they have cranes) or just removing the plant altogether before it falls over on its own.

Thanks again for all of your help.  I appreciated it.  

Joseph

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Followup To

Question -
Hi,

Two years ago, we bought a house in Palm Springs that came with a 15 foot tall Saguaro planted in the front yard.  At some point in the past before we bought the house, a car ran into it tearing open a hole about 1 foot long and half as wide near the base on one side.  We can see the inner trunk but it appears that the plant formed tissue around the hole.  The plant has been 'healthy', blooming and growing.  It has one big arm is pushing out a new one.

Recently, we've noticed a dark ooze coming out of the hole which appears to have gotten bigger.  As well, the base of the the plant is starting to look gray, mushy and flaky all the way around.  We're worried that the plant is dying but don't know if there's anything we can do about it.  

The Saguaro is being irrigated - that started when we moved in and relandscaped.  But it doesn't receive a lot of water.  

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

Answer -
Dear Joseph,

Unfortunately, it sounds like it is dying. Sagauro's can survive almost any kind of damage, but over watering is almost always fatal. Saguaro's survive on as little as 3 to 5 inches of rain per year, but being irrigated is a problem. It is probably too late for your plant, but you might be able to remove one of the arms and plant it in the gound. DO NOT do that yourself.

If you have someone come out to remove it, ask them to cut off an arm and then write me back for instructions or you can read some of my previous answers for planting saguaro arms. Sorry for the bad news.

Sincerely,

Greg  

Answer
Dear Joseph,

You can plant saguaro arms (and cuttings), but the chance of them rooting is at best 50/50. Generally speaking, large thick cacti will root, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Just make sure you let the cut heal for at least 3 weeks before planting or it will rot. It must be oriented north/south just like it was on the main plant and mix about 50% sand into the soil when planting...and do not water!

Water it after it has been in the ground for a month or so, but only if there hasn't been any rain. If it roots, you will see new growth next season. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Greg