Expert: Maureen - 4/23/2010

Question
I live in MN and recently had a friend bring me an ocotillo from AZ because I love them. It is indoors now but plan to put it out on the deck and repot it. It has been green for several months. Should I purposely let it lose it's leaves or should I continue to water it once a week?  Will it make it here?

Answer
Hi Linda,

Ocotillos shed their leaves to conserve water in the hottest months in the desert.  In the case of any cactus that is taken out of it's natural habitat, we often alter it's natural  cycle and force it to adapt to new circumstances. I would repot (wait a week before watering and just mist) and they water gradually until the roots are sturdy in the pot. I'd leave the leaves and see what happens when you repot.  Once the plant is established I'd water on an as needed basis.  Cacti like to get dry between waterings and we usually kill them by over watering so less is better and a scheduled once a week watering could be too much.

I don't know if it will make it, but cacti certainly are adaptable. It will be an interesting experiment. I personally don't know of an ocotillo being transplanted to MN, but that doesn't mean they haven't. If it does, where are you going to put it in the winter?!  They can get pretty large.

I would also recommend you contact your local Cactus and Succulent Society (if you can't find it get in touch with the American Cactus and Succulent Society) and get their advice.

Good luck.
Maureen