I have a recently transplanted 7ft saguaro (3 weeks in the ground). No water except for day of transplant and one day of rain. It was oriented correctly upon transplant. I noticed starting on day 3 and ever since that tt has yellow blotchy areas on the Southwest side of it. Not sure what is going on with it. Some days it looks better than others. Some days it seems like it is getting worse. See attached photos. Any help deciphering what is happening would be appreciated.
I'm no expert on cacti but, in the first photo, it almost looks as though it's planted a little too deep. EDIT: Have you read this article? https://www.resolutionmineeis.us/si...ences/elliott-transplanting-saguaros-2003.pdf See: Watering requirements - page 4.
It was professionally planted by a local nursery and up to this point it has been watered correctly this is why I am at a loss to what is happening.
The professionals at your local nursery presumably would know what they are doing. It is interesting however that expert, Tim Elliott, in the article above says not to water at all for at least 6 months. "Plant the saguaro dry. This does not mean just a little water—it means none. Saguaros have a very high water content that is locked up in their tissues. This allows them to survive for extended periods without adding water. The stress of transplanting occasionally causes some rotting in the root area. If the plant and soil are dry, the saguaro’s evolved defenses halt the problem and the plant lives. This dry regimen should be followed through the first six months or more to give the plant its best chance of survival."
