[Arid_gardener] RE: Ocotillo

[Christine M. Bahto]

ORIGINAL QUESTON:
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 08:17:50 -0700 (MST)
From: pdjacquez at cox.net
Phillip Jacquez
85202

I planted a bare root Ocotillo and I would like more information on watering
and care.  A representative at the nursery said to water the canes every
month.  How often and what method should the canes be sprayed.  Should the
roots receive any watering.  Thank you

ANSWER:

Phillip,
I cannot tell you how crazy it makes me when I hear someone say that a
landscaper or nursery person says to only water the canes of an ocotillo and
it will leaf out!

Yes, ocotillo do grow leaves in response to rain, but those are plants that
are established in their native habitat. Guess what happens when it
rains...the ground gets wet and the roots take up water.

Hurray for you to questioning that advise. Your bare root ocotillo needs to
grow roots, water it deeply every 10 days during the summer, if the plant is
healthy it should leaf out in a few months. Once it starts growing leaves
you can back off on the watering, just watering when you see the leaves
start turning yellow. Don't put it on drip, they go dormant in the winter
and don't need to be watered as they lose their leaves naturally.

Hope this helps...good luck,
Christine Bahto
Master Gardener, Maricopa County, U of A Cooperative Extension