Expert: Greg Simpson - 4/16/2007

Question
last fall I plant 2 6' Ocotillo's from a nursery and to date they haven't changed or shown signs of life. How do I know they are still alive. I've had them on a drip system and am wondering if I've over watered them during the winter. Is this possible?

Answer
Peter,

Actually it is. The nursery should have instructed you to spray the entire plant with water once a week (until it produced leaves, then back off), not just water the roots (which should not be done with an ocotillo). Ocotillo's absorb moisture through their branches, the roots do as well but they mostly just provide support for the plant. Anyway, look at the space just above each spine, you should see a green or slightly green patch. If you do, your plant is still alive.

If not, bend one of the larger branches down towards the ground. If it bends like a tree branch it is still alive, but if it snaps like a dry branch, your ocotillo is probably dead. Hopefully that's not the case.

Sincerely,

Greg