[Arid_gardener] Re: Ocotillo from Cuttings

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <veganpa at comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:37 AM
> Matt Ball 85750
> I'm interested in propagating ocotillos from cuttings.
> I see here:
> http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/old_archives/arid_gardener/2000-April/001491.html
> That there is supposed to be an explanation of propagating ocotillos from
> cuttings. However, this link:>
> http://Ag.Arizona.Edu/pipermail/arid_gardener/2000-March/000999.html
>  Is dead, and I can't seem to find it otherwise. Is this available 
> elsewhere?
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>From Dianne Diana Balazs' weekly AZ Republic Newspaper column at
http://www.azcentral.com/home/garden/articles/1016southwestgarden16.html

"QUESTION:
     How do I get ocotillo to grow? I haven't had any success getting 
cuttings to grow.
....
ANSWER:
     Be patient. Ocotillos are one of the toughest plants to grow and can 
take up to two years to leaf out.

     First, determine whether your cuttings are alive. If they are black 
inside, brittle and snap easily, the cuttings are dead. If they are 
bendable, and cream-colored inside, they are alive.

     Ocotillos prefer well-drained soil and should be watered weekly until 
there are signs of new growth. Allow the ground to dry out between 
waterings. Once established, ocotillos don't need to be watered except 
during drought, and then once a month. There is no need to fertilize 
ocotillos.

     Some gardeners mist their plants every few days to promote leafing and 
prevent the plants from drying out."

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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