Question
I have an ocotilla(spelling?) growing in my front yard.  It is very large and hearty and between 20 and 30 years old.  The problem is my wife doesn't like it and it doesn't fit what we are trying to do with our yard.  We bought this house a year ago and I was hoping to sell or find an adoption agency for this cactus. I live in North-Western Arizona and I hoped you might know who I could contact.  

Answer
Dear Robert,

Your Fouquieria (perhaps F. splendens), commonly called Ocotillo is a lovely plant, as both you and I know. However, I see you're not going to risk domestic harmony in order to keep it.

I'm in San Diego, Robert, and I don't know your local area. I know in either Phoenix or Tuscon there are 'rescue clubs' devoted to removing plants that would otherwise be lost due to development, and I would suggest that you contact a local gardening club or two in order find out if any such organization exists in your area. Meanwhile, I'm going to forward your message to a friend that lives in TUscon and see if he can give us any information.

Thanks, I certainly appreciate the fact that you're trying to find a new home for this plant.

Kind regards,

Jeff