Fouquieria splendens
These peculiar desert industrial plant bring a common sense of wonder to the arid landscape painting they thrive in with their distinctive and stunning appearance .
They are popular in xeriscape gardens and can be found in many commercial-grade landscaping designs in regions with warm , teetotal climates .
Plants are sometimes grown in medicinal gardens for their healing property .
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Ocotillo may look to be a cactus because of its spiny branches , but this is a bloom desert bush .
When in heyday , the vivid reddish - orangeness peak become heavy , tipping the branches and making for a striking show .
Pollinators relish the ambrosia and the blooms are like magnets , drawing hummingbirds and pilot insects to them when in blush .
If you ’re concerned in tally more resilient , alone , and pollinator - well-disposed plant species to your piss - smart garden or landscape painting , ocotillo is an excellent choice !
Continue reading to learn more about this extraordinary shrub and how to grow and care for it in your outdoor outer space .
Here ’s what ’s ahead :
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
TheFouquieriagenus contains 11 desert mintage and is part of the Fouquieriaceae plant family .
Ocotillo is the chief vulgar name forF. splendensthough there are many names for this plant life , include coachwhip , vine cactus , candlewood , and wolf ’s candle .
The name “ ocotillo ” is derive from the Nahuátl Good Book “ ocotl , ” which translates to “ torch ” in English .
Their native growing chain extends from central Mexico north to Arizona , California , New Mexico , and Texas , states along the southwesterly US boundary line .
They prefer the arid climate and low hillside of the Mojave , Sonoran , and Chihuahuan deserts , where they can be seen in all their splendor growing along rivers , desert race , and floodplains .
Anarticle published in the Journal of Arid Environmentsin 2021 highlighting the results of a study of 95 mature ocotillo shrubs over the form of 33 year concluded that the average ocotillo in the wild flowers for 50 old age , and support is need for long - condition study over the course of decades touch to long - survive desert species .
These multi - cauline desert industrial plant can reach over 20 feet in height and 15 fundament in breadth under idealistic conditions .
Their magniloquent and setose gray leg miss leaf for much of the twelvemonth , but when seasonal rains saturate the ground , they answer quickly by setting out bright green leaf that grow above the thorns , get across the spiny branches with foliage .
The plant life ’s reddish - orange tubing - forge flush bloom in tardy springiness and summertime , attracting hummingbird and bee .
The roots of ocotillo are shallow , which allows them to easily absorb water from infrequent desert floodrains .
Sometimes you could see augury of leaf growth within 24 hours ! Considered drouth - deciduous , they can duplicate this cycle up to five times a year .
A cogitation bring out in the American Journal of BotanyonF. splendensstem succulency bear witness that the water put in in stems consistently bring about bloom and fruits during the driest twelvemonth .
Not only is ocotillo challenging in the style it conserves piss , but the industrial plant also play a vital role in Indigenous culture . member of Indigenous community practice ocotillo in various room , for food , medicine , and build material .
The Cahuilla relish the fresh bloom by steep them in urine or by eating them raw , and they gather up seed to litigate them into flour . Branches may be used to create fencing .
The ancestor of ocotillo is swear out into a pulverization by the Apache and applied to injuries . And these are just a few highlighted example of many .
F. splendensis also valued as a medicative works in Western herbalism , commonly used as a lymphagogue or treatment that encourages lymph movement .
It may also be used as an expectorator , pelvic decongestant , and as an anti - inflammatory treatment in wound healing .
The answer of a study published in theEuropean Journal of Integrative Medicineshow thatF. splendenscontains phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative potential for the suppression of malignant cell growth .
Ocotillo is a gorgeous pollinator industrial plant to add to xeriscape garden conception and to include in medicinal garden !
Propagation
We will incubate the two most common way to disseminate ocotillo , from seed and by rooting cutting . Both method are promise and will provide you with stiff plants !
From Seed
Ocotillo is gentle to propagate from seed . If sowing outdoors , spring is in effect , but seeds can be lead off anytime in awarm greenhouse .
Sow seeds in a emplacement with tight - draining stain where they will have full sunlight . Cactus potting mixcan be used to fill containers . Cover the seeds thinly with dirt , and tamp it down gently .
Keep the grease warm and slightly damp until they germinate and seedlings emerge , which can take up to two weeks .
From Cuttings
If you have access to a mature plant life , you may disseminate ocotillo from cut instead . Be sure to only reap cuttings from approved locations or sources .
First , train a one - gal raft with a drain hole for rooting your press cutting , or consider planting your cuttings directly in the ground if you have well - drained ground usable .
Fill the pot up with a grime intermixture suitable for cacti and succulent and water thoroughly before placing your cutting into the soil .
Carefully cut 12 column inch of sound deal with a clean tongue and take away any leaves six inches from the bottom . Dip the cut close in root hormone powder .
hold fast the branch into the soil , covering the subdivision where the farewell were absent , and tap the soil down around the cutting .
Place your pot in a warm and sunny emplacement . Using a water collecting lulu below your container can help to boost root development , keeping the soil moist .
Water once every two calendar week , or increase to once a week if conditions are hot and ironic .
Once the plant has produced novel leaves , this is an indication that it has spring up roots and is ready to be transplanted if it was propagated in a container .
From Seedlings/Transplanting
take root cuttings takes a few months , and it will be several years before your seedling or steady down start grows arm like the I you would see in their natural habitat . Some longanimity is take for transplanting Jacob’s staff , but once set up , they can flourish for generation . Larger potted specimens may be uncommitted from glasshouse as well , if you opt to set about with something a bit bigger .
Transplant your ocotillo in other bounce . stab a hole great enough to hold the root system in an area that receive full sun with soil that drains promptly .
Remember , though moisture is welcome during the propagation stage , too much water can harm this plant ’s root and lead to decompose . urine weekly during summertime calendar month and doubly per month during cool atmospheric condition . It will take six month to two years for the plant to become in full found .
At this point , you’re able to reduce or eliminate mundane watering .
How to Grow
This improbable , spiny desert shrub is easy to produce when planted in a suited environment .
Ocotillo prefers a hot and dry climate with exposure to full sun , like that of zone 8 to 11 , and prosper in well - enfeeble soils .
These plants can tolerate temperature down to about 10 ° F and they require little to no urine once established , making them an ideal species for drouth - tolerant gardens .
Very long - lived , these plants can flourish happily for X with right maintenance . Always avert overwatering establish plant ! Too much water can cause the theme to rot .
Applying fertiliser is unneeded , and it may admonish flower yield if you choose to apply it withal . This specie is tough and can tolerate harsh desiccated conditions with little treatment .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
When planted in the appropriate location , as with most desert - loving plants , ocotillo requires little to no sustainment .
Needless pruning of stems will not allow ocotillo to produce flowers . The only stanch that should be cut are one that have died or become damaged , or if they ’ve grown too tall to beseem your space .
practice caution to ward off their impregnable spike when lop them . wear knotty glove and using a long - handled lopper is helpful . Cut individual stems down to the ground .
Never top these plants , as that will affect the natural signifier while stunting overall ontogeny .
Where to Buy
F. splendensis pop in refinement , and widely available . Be sure to learn local nurseries if you dwell in a desert mood that this plant will enjoy .
The dazzling base - recollective flush clusters add a splash of color to landscapes and are savour by pollinator – especially hummingbirds ! And who does n’t love seeing them pay a visit to the garden ?
Managing Pests and Disease
Another fantastic trait of this plant is that it is not recognize to be prone to any diseases in peculiar , and unfeignedly thrives in its aboriginal environment .
The only blighter to be on the flavor for is plate . as luck would have it these insects are easy to control , specially if you are able to overtake an infestation ahead of time .
You canlearn more about how to key and ascendency shell in our guidebook .
Best Uses
Ocotillo add together to the intrigue of desert garden with its unique geomorphologic sort and vivacious bloom that attract hummingbird andbeneficial insect , get to it idealistic forpollinator garden .
They couple well with plants like nopal , barrel cactus , and creosote .
Thanks to their warm branches , they can be planted in rows to produce fence and they ’re excellent for use asdefensive plants .
However , their sharp backbone can be a safety takings for pets and children , so practice caution when inviting plants with sharp spine into your yard or garden .
This desert species is an splendid option for gardeners who want to learn more about the medicative qualities of healing plants that are drought - large-minded and promiscuous to cultivate as well .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
An Optimal Water-Wise Option
Ocotillo ’s lustrous pollinator - sleep with flower are like pyrotechnic that blast up from their light-green and spiny branches . They are telling additions to xeriscape gardens !
As with many drought - large-minded works , they do n’t necessitate much bother and prefer to grow wild , bring in them an appropriate selection for low- or no - maintenance garden .
I must allow this is one of my favorite desert - live plants . Is ocotillo one of your favs too ? This is the place to share your love of plant , so comment below ! Feel detached to divvy up photos , and any questions you may have as well .
For more aspiration to help you plan the garden of your aspiration , check out thesedrought - insubordinate desert plantguides next :
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Kat Sanchez
