Ocotillo Transplant Care: Wire Removal Timing and Establishment Watering

Case: 5-Foot Bare-Root Ocotillo

Recently transplanted ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) bundled with wire ties. Question: when to remove ties?

Immediate Action

• Remove wire ties NOW - no benefit to keeping
• Critical watering: Spray entire plant every few days
• Until: Leaves emerge (indicates root function)
• Root-only watering = failure risk

Why This Works

Ocotillos are stem-photosynthetic. Foliar absorption via spraying supports survival until roots establish. Bundling only for transport protection.