The Cactaceae kin ’s spiny , stemlike shrubs and trees , such as briary pear ( Opuntia spp . ) , Whipple cholla ( Cylindropuntia whipplei ) and saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea ) , are known for their severe spikes , flowered display and ability to store big quantity of water . Despite their vigorous increase , however , these desert succulent are easily destabilize . A shallow root system and beginning damage from rot , particularly on a marvellous or leggy specimen , can cause list or total crash of the industrial plant , and staking the cactus may be necessary . Cacti are hardy in a sort of U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) flora hardiness zona , reckon on the variety . Prickly pear , for lesson , is hardy in USDA zona 3b through 11 , Whipple Opuntia cholla in geographical zone 5 to 10 and saguaro in zones 9 through 10 .
Step 1
Put on protective clothing , including work glove , safety goggles , a long - sleeved shirt and long pants . A cactus ' spines can cause severe injury .
Step 2
Create a collar to secure the cactus ' stem . Wrap non - adhesive horticultural taping loosely around the cactus ' midsection between its spines . air mile or staple the tape to itself to hold it in place .
Step 3
exploit two brand , 8 - foot - tall T - stakes 2 inches into the land on polar sides of the cactus ' stem , using a wooden mallet for the task . slew a fence - post driver over one of the stakes , and pump the fencing - post driver ’s handle to drive the stake 3 metrical unit into the terra firma . aim the 2nd stake 3 infantry into the ground by using the fencing - spot driver .
Step 4
Step 5
impound the cactus ' horticultural tape collar to the T - stakes by using farsighted pieces of horticultural tape .
Step 6
Leave the T - stakes in position for three to six months , until the cactus ' root system recovers and the cactus can stand upright on its own . abridge the horticultural tape off the cactus with scissors when you remove the T - stakes .
Large Cactus
Put on protective vesture , including employment gloves , safety goggles , a long - sleeved shirt and recollective pants .
Create a padded collar to protect the cactus ' fore . Fold a farsighted striptease of burlap several clock time , creating thickness from the layers , and wrap the textile around the cactus ' stem , admit its spines , at least 3 feet above the background . Knot or staple the gunny collar to itself to carry in billet , keeping the leash snug but not tight .
Wedge three 2 - by-4 - inch wooden boards between the burlap collar and the ground around the cactus , propping the cactus against the board . Mound garden soil around the bottom of each board to keep it firm .
Leave the boards in place for three to six months . turn off the gunny off the cactus with pair of scissors when you slay the display panel .
