Saguaro woes (Tucson, Scottsdale: hotel, house, transfer)

[fluffythewondercat]

Just as we had established that the previous owners of our home had been overwatering like crazy ($1200/month water bill!), part of a large saguaro in front of the house came down overnight. It's clearly because of the excessive watering over the long term.

There are a few disturbed bees buzzing around now. I stupidly went over to look but didn't get stung. And then I remembered about Africanized bees. I understand they like to build hives in saguaros.

I intend to stay clear for the time being -- but should I get a bee expert out to take a look at this?

Thanks.

[broncosilly]

No need to water Saguaros...........I have over fifty and never do I water them. Let naatcha' do it. Forget the bees, get that dead Saguaro out of there, or hire it done......problem solved

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by broncosilly

No need to water Saguaros...........I have over fifty and never do I water them. Let naatcha' do it. Forget the bees, get that dead Saguaro out of there, or hire it done......problem solved

I'm a little confused because for a time we were looking at homes that had NAOS (Natural Area Open Space). We were assured by our agent that our property wasn't subject to that but in such areas you are not allowed to remove a saguaro that has fallen, no matter how unsightly it might look, unless it's an actual hazard and even then I think you have to get approval from the City of Scottsdale.

So I'll assume our agent was correct this time and go forward with removal. Thanks.

[wit-nit]

You can do whatever you want with a saguaro or any other cacti on private property. If it's fallen over, diseased, died etc you as an owner can dispose of it without any consequences.
If it's still standing and alive and transferable then you are suppose to get a permit from the State Agriculture Dept to move it off of your ppty and showing where it will be transplanted to.

[DougStark]

I'm no xeriscape expert, but I disagree about "never water a saguaro". I think it's more accurate to say, water your saguaro infrequently once it's established, and only in the summer. Correct me if I'm wrong, cactus lovers.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I'm no xeriscape expert, but I disagree about "never water a saguaro". I think it's more accurate to say, water your saguaro infrequently once it's established, and only in the summer. Correct me if I'm wrong, cactus lovers.

I found several citations giving the same advice. This from U of Arizona Extension:

Due to our drier and hotter climate, water your Saguaro in the summer months. Place a hose about five feet away from the trunk once a month for about 30 minutes. That is all that is needed; no watering in the winter is required.

I also found this interesting:

A mortally wounded or fallen Saguaro, like some trees, can live up to 10 years on its stored reserves, even flowering in a last ditch effort to propagate.

[wase4711]

I've raised cactus for years, in both Illinois and Arizona, and had a 6 foot tall Saguaro in a giant pot in Illinois, and I would definitely water one here in may/june/july/aug/sept once a month, but, thats it, and, if it was a heavy monsoon month during those months, I would skip the water that month completely..

[broncosilly]

If your plants are in a pot then yes, a little water. Why...with summer months the pot heats up and put stress on the roots.
There is a fancy hotel in Tucson on the west side that have Saguaro growing on the rock hills over looking the hotel. They have been there for decades.

I'm no expert. The fine line of watering different cactus still has me baffled as their needs vary. It continues to amaze me how these plants can live in such harsh conditions with little to no care. I look forward to more opinions

[fluffythewondercat]

This looks like what the experts call bacterial necrosis, a black sticky fluid:

[broncosilly]

It may be to late but........perhaps there is a cure? Damn.......that's a mess