Survival and Plant Vigor of Sclerocactus parviflorus (Clover and Jotter) following Different Transplanting Techniques

Cacti are transplanted when their occurrence conflicts with road and pipeline construction and mitigation requires relocation, or they are transplanted for personal use. Methods used in transplanting have credence by virtue of common practice; however, there are few scientific studies comparing different methods. Our objective was to determine if different transplanting techniques, time of year of transplanting, and association with a nurse plant upon transplanting affected the long-term survival (8 years) and vigor of Sclerocactus parviflorus (Clover and Jotter). The 3 transplanting procedures were as follows: (1) cacti excavated, soil removed from roots, roots trimmed, plants placed in shaded open environment for 2 days and then transplanted (modification of conventional procedure); (2) cacti excavated to maintain a root ball and transplanted within 2 hours; and (3) cacti excavated, soil shaken off the roots and transplanted within 2 hours. Mortality was documented every spring and fall for 8 years. Plant vigor was determined in the eighth year by measuring flower and tubercle production. There was no difference in cactus survival among the 3 transplanting techniques, time of year of transplanting, and association with a nurse plant. There was no difference in vigor among the treatments as measured by flower and tubercle production. Three years after transplanting, 97% of the cacti were alive, and after 8 years 84% were alive. Based on this study, transplanting of S. parviflorus with high long-term survival can be done by any of these procedures, at any time of year, and with or without an associated nurse plant.