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- Q.Difference Between Masculine And Feminine Ocotillo Plants - While I was hiking, someone pointed out that a trained observer can tell the difference between masculine and feminine ocotillo ...
- Q.Keeping The Ocotillo Straight - After the ocotillo is grown to 10' or more, how do you keep it growing straight up? We have 3 ...
- Q.What Causes An Ocotillo’s Leaves To Turn Yellow? - It has been healthy and producing flames regularly for 8 years. The conditions have not changed.
- Q.Ocotillo - I have an ocotillo that is 13 years old and it grows what I would call suckers. They grow off ...
- Q.Planting Ocotillo - Can ocotillo be planted in large pots?
- Q.Ocotillo Not Blooming - I have yet to get one orange bloom on my ocotillo. I planted it bare root 10 years ago on ...
- Q.Ocotillo - We bought this house 5 years ago, and there are 5 or 6 ocotillo around the front and back yard. ...
Asked by
patcamm on
October 25, 2015
Phoenix, ArizonaQ.difference between masculine and feminine ocotillo plants
While I was hiking, someone pointed out that a trained observer can tell the difference between masculine and feminine ocotillo plants. This thought had never occurred to me. Is this true? My friend said the masculine plants are streamlined and straight, whereas the feminine plants spread out and are more open. Is this true or simply a wives' tale?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 27, 2015A.No this is not true. There is not a female and male plant.
The plant is pollinated by Carpenter Bees and Humming Birds.
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- Asked by
janet_sr_wolfe on
October 29, 2015
Southern New MexicoQ.Keeping the Ocotillo straight
After the ocotillo is grown to 10' or more, how do you keep it growing straight up? We have 3 ocotillos. The first one curves gently at the bottom in an upward pattern. It remains with all branches growing straight up. The 2nd and 3rd ones look like something came down onto the top of them and tried to flatten them. How do we keep the canes growing straight up after curving up from the bottom?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
October 31, 2015A.Yes, you can stake the Ocotillo if necessary.
Here are links that will help you.http://www.tucsoncactus.org/pdf_files/TCSS_Ocotillo_Planting.pdf
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Barstownancy on
October 30, 2015
Barstow Ca 92311Q.What causes an ocotillo’s leaves to turn yellow?
It has been healthy and producing flames regularly for 8 years. The conditions have not changed.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
November 1, 2015A.Yellowing leaves could indicate watering issues, to much or to little, nutrient concerns and possible insects.
Scale can become an issue for Ocotillos and they are a sucking insect.
The use of an insecticidal soap should clear them up.
Here is a link to refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Donna Miller on
February 27, 2016
Cave creek, AZQ.Ocotillo
I have an ocotillo that is 13 years old and it grows what I would call suckers. They grow off of a stem and grows down. If I let them go, the plant ends up looking like an octopus. I have never seen one in the wild do that and I have asked the nursery that I bought if from and they do not know what causes it or what to do about it.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
February 28, 2016A.A mature Ocotillo can grow to 15 feet tall and the same width.
It is not uncommon for the plant to send out canes that will lie close to the ground as the base widens.
A mature plant can grow up to 60 canes or branches.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
MarlonHobbs on
April 27, 2016
76401Q.planting ocotillo
Can ocotillo be planted in large pots?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
April 28, 2016A.My research has turned up virtually no information on growing an Ocotillo in a container.
The reason is clearly due to the size that this plant can grow too, and the specific growing conditions needed.
Ocotillo would need to be planted in ground for success it would seem.
Here are some articles with more information.https://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/growingocotillo2008.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
January 16, 2017Q.ocotillo not blooming
I have yet to get one orange bloom on my ocotillo. I planted it bare root 10 years ago on south slope of natural Tucson desert amongst many mature Saguaro. It performs like all ocotillo, green leaves at appropriate times just never a bloom? What can I do to get it to bloom? P.S. There are no native ocotillo on the slope just saguaro O'Mara in Tucson
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
January 16, 2017A.Bare roots can take longer to form roots though they should have become established within 2 years.
Watering is very important for the Ocotillo. In warm months it will need to be watered every 2 to 3 weeks.
In cold weather water every 3 months. Water should be well draining.
I would try increasing watering to see if this can encourage flowering.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Una on
March 26, 2017
85259Q.Ocotillo
We bought this house 5 years ago, and there are 5 or 6 ocotillo around the front and back yard. It seems like in the first year they greened up with leaves in the spring. They are no longer doing that. They are on our drip system. I have never fertilized them because I thought they didn't need it. Would love to have them green up, what do I need to do? Thanks so much for any help, Una Loge.
Answered by
Alisma on
March 27, 2017
Certified ExpertA.Ocotillos are a bit unusual because they can survive for long periods and even flower without leaves. Often they will photosynthesize using the green parts of the stem.
Giving them more water can encourage them to leaf out, but it's not guaranteed. The best way is to water them at the base and also the surrounding area, since the roots spread out pretty far around the stem.
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