How to Transplant the Cholla Cactus

Cholla cacti belong to the genus Cylindropuntia, which includes approximately 35 species across much of the American Southwest, Mexico and Central America. Most species of cholla share a branching, treelike shape and a dense covering of spines, which lend the plants a fuzzy appearance. Gardeners with a passion from cacti sometimes cultivate chollas at home, but transplanting a newly acquired cholla into the garden sometimes proves challenging because of their dangerous spines and unwieldy growth habit. It is a simple task, however, and the plant will pull through with minimal harm if you take the proper precautions.

Pea gravel or coarse sand
Pointed shovel or mattock
Leather work gloves
Bungee cord
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a bed for the cholla cactus in midspring around late April or early May. Select a transplant site with poor, gravelly soil, full sun and fast drainage.
- 2
  Spread a 5-inch-thick layer of pea gravel or coarse sand at the planting site if the soil contains a high level of organic material. Work the amendments into the bed to a depth of 6 inches using a pointed shovel.
- 3
  Dig a hole at the transplant site using a pointed shovel or mattock. Make the hole of equal volume to the original planting container with straight sides and a flat bottom.
- 4
  Put on thick leather work gloves and sturdy, protective clothing before handling or working with the cholla cactus.
- 5
  Move the potted cholla cactus close to the transplant site. Wrap a bungee cord around the base of the plant. Loosely tie the bungee cord.
- 6
  Tip the container on its side. Gently pull on the bungee cord to ease the cholla from its container. Support the rootball as it emerges from the container.
- 7
  Settle the cholla into the planting hole so it is upright and the base of the trunk is flush with or 1/2 inch above the surrounding soil.
- 8
  Fill in around the cholla with soil if any gaps exist between the rootball and the surrounding soil. Use soil native to the transplant site.
- 9
  Water the cholla seven to ten days after transplanting it. Trickle water from a garden hose at the base of the plant for approximately five minutes to moisten the soil. Water in this fashion every ten days for the first summer then cease watering completely.

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