Dear Craig,

Can you please tell me how to handle cactus. I have a few on my property and would love to relocate some of them. I’ve tried moving a few cuttings using gloves, but the spines seem to penetrate the leather and break off in my hand. Is there any simple way to handle cactus without causing pain to myself?

Jenna
In Surprise

Dear Jenna,

Cacti are some of the most amazing plants in the world. Many of them are absolutely ugly until they bloom with their awesome flowers that look so delicate and colorful. There are a few varieties, such as the Totem Pole and Opuntia ficus indica, that have no spines whatsoever. But the great majority of them do have spines of some sort. Some varieties are covered with a fiber or hair‑like spine that won’t poke or stick, although these spines can cause itching and choking. This type of cacti can be handled easily with leather gloves. I do additional protection by wearing long sleeves and a face mask to avoid coming in contact with the itching fibers.

When planting or transplanting golden barrels, simply excavate the barrel from the ground or container using a shovel. Roll the barrel over on its top and carry it by the roots. When planting, just excavate a shallow depression and roll the barrel into place. Use a shovel to adjust the barrel into the best position and push soil up to the sides.

Column cacti, especially those with long spines, can be transplanted or moved by wrapping the vertical pieces together with newspaper. Then strap on a rope or a piece of hose to lift into place. An old belt works great for these cacti, too. You can loop the belt around the cacti and lift into place, then cover the root ball with soil. The belt can be tugged or pulled to allow for adjustment while backfilling. Larger pieces will require more than one person to transplant.

Prickly pear can be planted in a similar fashion. Just stuff the areas between the pads with crumpled newspaper to protect them from scarring. If the prickly pear are larger, you may need to use a longer rope and have a second set of hands to help. Prickly pear can also be lifted from the roots or bottom and dragged into place with a small piece of carpet.

Saguaros and large barrels are best handled by wrapping the entire cactus with thick, heavy carpet and dragging it into place. Larger cacti specimens will require additional help, since they can weigh over 100 pounds per linear foot.

For small cacti I find that using simple salad tongs works great. You may want to keep a set of tongs with your garden tools just for this purpose, as they are relatively inexpensive. I know from experience that using and not returning a set to the kitchen can result in an unhappy cook.

Remember: When transplanting cacti, their roots should be trimmed and dried before replanting. Cuttings should be set in the shade to heal over for a few days to a week prior to planting, and all transplants should be treated with a coating of dusting sulphur to protect them from fungus until they root. It is also wise not to water new transplants or cuttings for several weeks or until new roots appear to help avoid bacteria and fungal problems. I have heard more plants are killed from the kindness of over‑watering than from not enough water.