June 5, 2017
Question: I planted an ocotillo recently and have been watering it every day to give the roots a good start. Do I need to feed it? If so what? I had a little bone meal and used that.
Bob
Lea County, NM
Answer: Many Ocotillos (Oc’s) in Lea County succumb to the local landfills. Number one enemy, too much TLC (tender loving care) given to them and that comes in the form of over-watering Oc’s. Now depending on your local soil, if it is real sandy and loose, YES, maybe a couple of watering’s a week in high heat and wind. If you have red clay or gray clay soils then water sparingly, once a week to 10-days, and do water deep as the scraggly roots come off of the Oc’s center stem. Remember, where you see these desert natives growing naturally, on the steppes/foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains, they get whatever rains come along, drenching’s or light showers. They are basically rooted in four inches or less of soil, and grow into cracks of the underlying rock formations. Then they have the blistering summer heat and winds to contend with...a true survivor.
So, when they are dug up and transported to other areas of the state we need to replicate the soils and growing conditions as best as we can similar to their natural environment. This is where TLC kicks-in way too much!
Clay soils should have some coarse sand and/or gravel added for drainage, wet roots and soggy ground is a death knell.
No fertilizers for the first year, our soil, your soil will be nutrient rich compared to that spot on the slope of the mountainside where it was growing. If you added bone meal, that’s cool and okay, it is very low in nutrients but stay away from the commercial brands for now. Let this native get re-established, the second biggest problem is the plant collectors who hack- off all the scraggly roots trying to extract them from the rock ledges. Most are sold with very little major roots and usually NO feeder roots are attached. These underground anchors are foremost and foundational to getting your Ocotillo to live. With me not seeing the actual root structure, I am giving you a broad care scenario.
If you found this Ocotillo with good root structure then you will be rewarded as these plants are long-lived and will add much growth and vibrant color as it matures. Best yet, is the beauty, the form, its uniqueness and the brightly fire-torch ends that are hummingbird magnets and with night-time large moths feeding on the rich nectar they produce.
Bob, I hope this helps you out and you have a successful transplanted Ocotillo to admire for years.
Dr. Dirt
Question: I planted an ocotillo recently and have been watering it every day to give the roots a good start. Do I need to feed it? If so what? I had a little bone meal and used that.
Bob
Lea County, NM
Answer: Many Ocotillos (Oc’s) in Lea County succumb to the local landfills. Number one enemy, too much TLC (tender loving care) given to them and that comes in the form of over-watering Oc’s. Now depending on your local soil, if it is real sandy and loose, YES, maybe a couple of watering’s a week in high heat and wind. If you have red clay or gray clay soils then water sparingly, once a week to 10-days, and do water deep as the scraggly roots come off of the Oc’s center stem. Remember, where you see these desert natives growing naturally, on the steppes/foothills of the Guadalupe Mountains, they get whatever rains come along, drenching’s or light showers. They are basically rooted in four inches or less of soil, and grow into cracks of the underlying rock formations. Then they have the blistering summer heat and winds to contend with...a true survivor.
So, when they are dug up and transported to other areas of the state we need to replicate the soils and growing conditions as best as we can similar to their natural environment. This is where TLC kicks-in way too much!
Clay soils should have some coarse sand and/or gravel added for drainage, wet roots and soggy ground is a death knell.
No fertilizers for the first year, our soil, your soil will be nutrient rich compared to that spot on the slope of the mountainside where it was growing. If you added bone meal, that’s cool and okay, it is very low in nutrients but stay away from the commercial brands for now. Let this native get re-established, the second biggest problem is the plant collectors who hack- off all the scraggly roots trying to extract them from the rock ledges. Most are sold with very little major roots and usually NO feeder roots are attached. These underground anchors are foremost and foundational to getting your Ocotillo to live. With me not seeing the actual root structure, I am giving you a broad care scenario.
If you found this Ocotillo with good root structure then you will be rewarded as these plants are long-lived and will add much growth and vibrant color as it matures. Best yet, is the beauty, the form, its uniqueness and the brightly fire-torch ends that are hummingbird magnets and with night-time large moths feeding on the rich nectar they produce.
Bob, I hope this helps you out and you have a successful transplanted Ocotillo to admire for years.
Dr. Dirt
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