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Ocotillo
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Posted by greyghost61 8b SoWeGa (My Page) on Fri, Jan 27, 12 at 16:50
| I live in Southwest Georgia, zone 8b. We seem to be having less rain than we used to, there haven't been any hurricanes or tropical storms in the past few years down this way so I have decided to do a large section of my yard in a xeriscaped style. I have planted a number of various cacti, yuccas, and agaves along with "texas sage". I saw some seed grown ocotillo on ebay and went ahead and purchased a couple. I was wondering if they will do alright in slightly acidic, sandy soil. We get plenty of heat (had more days last June that were 100 or higher than days that did not reach 100). I have never seen any growing in this part of the country let alone this state. I am curious, does anyone else in the southeast US grow it, and if so, what are the problems associated with growing it in this region? Thanks in advance. |
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RE: Ocotillo
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The main problems I can see will be too much water in general and wet winters specifically. If possible plant them in full sun on a berm or rise. Same with the leucophyllum (Texas sage-if that's what they are). If you can mix gravel or rocks into the planting bed, even better. Ocotillo are native to my area (southern NM) and here they grow on hill tops and slopes. They must have drainage. You won't have to water them much to get them established. Be careful with the water. Your excessive humidity might bring on rot and if you get heavy rains and high winds the plants tend to blow over. But that's only after they've gained some height.
Good luck! |
RE: Ocotillo
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| Thanks nmgirl, I plan on planting it in a mixture of paving sand and coarse gravel. I have planted numerous cacti in this mixture and they have held up to rain in the winter pretty well. I ordered a seed grown ocotillo and should be getting it any day now. I found online where there were some growing in Miami, they have similar humidity, if not a little bit more than we have here. I have some san perdo cacti and cereus peruvianus that have survived our winters in the mix I intend to use for my ocotillo. We have been in a minor drought for the past few years, so I have been planting with that in mind in a part of my yard that is hard to water and has a sandy soil, it is like it is in another region from my front yard which is near water and never gets frost and is a dark rich soil. My front yard is bananas, elephant ears, angel trumpets, gingers, etc... while my back yard is cacti, agave, yucca, sage, etc...It is like I own two different properties, the soil and the micro-climates are totally different. |
RE: Ocotillo
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You can have two different gardens, how fun is that!
Good luck with your ocotillos, remember they like things lean & mean. |
RE: Ocotillo
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| Well, my ocotillo has been literally growing like a weed. Every time it rains it seems to jump start growing and the steems swell up and it leafs out fast. I am hoping that it becomes established and at home by winter, our winters don't get too cold, but they can be wet. |
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