How to Trim a Cactus
Trimming a cactus can be tricky and should be done only if it is growing too close to areas where people walk or sit. The ideal solution would be to remove an overgrown cactus because future growth will continue to pose a problem. The only kinds of cactus that should be trimmed are varieties of prickly pear and cholla, which all belong to the opuntia species. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Appropriate clothing (long sleeved shirt and pants)
- Leather boots
- Leather work gloves that extend up the arm
- Long-handled loppers
- Long-handled pruning saw
- Pitchfork
- Rake
- Flat shovel
- Metal or plastic trash can
- Pliers
- White glue
Instructions
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Trim prickly pear pads or cholla stems using a long-handled pruning saw or loppers. The long-handled saw will allow you to keep a safe distance from the plant parts. Trim only where the cactus has a natural joint. Cut away only those parts that absolutely need to be removed.
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Deposit trimmings in the trash can using a pitchfork or shovel. Do this as soon as possible after pruning so that no one accidentally steps on the pieces. Do not toss or throw the pruned sections in the trash, since that could produce a shower of tiny needles. Never dump cactus trimmings in desert washes or elsewhere.
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Rake together cut pieces that are too small to pick up using the pitchfork. Scoop them up with the flat shovel and gently deposit them in the trash can. Small parts, especially from cholla, tend to latch on to your shoes, clothes and skin. They can be hard (and potentially painful) to remove.
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Tips & Warnings
If you find a piece of cholla stuck to your boots or clothes, remove it with pliers. Do not try to remove it using your other boot, since the piece will just reattach itself to that boot.
Use white glue to remove tiny stickers embedded in your skin, especially if you cannot see them well enough to remove them with tweezers. Apply glue to the area where you feel the pain, let the glue dry and then quickly peel off the layer of dried glue.
Wash work clothes worn while pruning separately from the rest of your laundry.
When trimming a cactus, needles will fly off as you handle the plant. No matter how careful you are, you may end up with tiny stickers in your clothes and skin.
Never prune a cactus on a windy day.
