Yeah, I have never heard of pieces taking root, either. Unless the tree is too old, the rooted bottom should send out a new shoot in a year or two, and it will start over.

The other Kevin : ])

Research this ... someone in Tucson has had luck planting the busted-off branches.

Lazygardens I must be much lazier than you! I didn't find the occasion you did, but here's what I did find:

Greg Simpson, in 2006, on another forum site~
"You can plant saguaro arms (and cuttings), but the chance of them rooting is at best 50/50. Generally speaking, large thick cacti will root, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Just make sure you let the cut heal for at least 3 weeks before planting or it will rot. It must be oriented north/south just like it was on the main plant and mix about 50% sand into the soil when planting...and do not water!

Water it after it has been in the ground for a month or so, but only if there hasn't been any rain. If it roots, you will see new growth next season. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Greg"

From "The Cactus Doctor"~
"If you have a saguaro cutting, hereÂs what to do-

1. Whenever possible, make the cut at a joint.
2. Let the cutting air-dry for 1-2 months, making sure the end is hard & calloused before planting.
3. Leaving about 3 inches left at the top, fill a 15 gallon container with silt (river bottom sand).
4. Center the cutting in the pot, and fill the rest with silt, packing it around the cactus.
5. If the cutting is not acclimated to the sun, cover it for the summer.
6. Leave it potted for 1-2 years, so the roots can grow.

Now youÂre ready to put it in the ground!"

From Cactus Art Nursery~
"Propagation: From stem cuttings (if available) in spring (let them dry till the ends callous well. Then replant them in fresh cactus soil that is ever so slightly moist, and keep it that way till they root)"

It's a low yield effort: searching the web gives about one reference per two pages of results! Hope what I found helps.

Kevin : ])

things have changed on arms use a potting dust replant in desert soil after scar heals up replant water in 1 month . amazing technology.we found that they grow roots

Mr. Slott: Question - do you plant the arm intact to the curved joint (if it broke off) OR do you make a squared off cut on the arm, removing the curved portion???

Help

Is this still open for questions? I have a lead on a 5 foot saguaro that fell over. Upon my investigation it has no roots and some rot going on. I am hoping a fresh cut of the base further up will give a chance for survival? Clean with bleach water in case it is necrosis and let it scab in the shade for a month before putting it in native AZ soil with extra sand... in the ground? Any thoughts from the pros? 2 nurseries have told me not to bother

I planted a cutting of my prize 200 yr old saguaro. I planted it on nov 17th 2020. The cutting was about 3 ft tall. I never let it dry out as I did not have the time fir that. Too many bird holes to cut a bigger piece. I put in the ground not too far from its fallen mother. This week I see buds for flowers. I so hope it continues to live. I spray it with water for 90 seconds couple times a week I call it Hope snd I pray it survives the summer heat as I won’t be here to care for it Just want to see a flower bloom❤️

I have two arm successfully rooted but no growth in plant in one year, may be first it will grow its roots thoroughly and after that it will start grow taller.

Has anyone had success planting without the heal waiting period?

We recently put one in the ground?

I cut off a four-foot section from a large fallen saguaro cactus. I put rooting hormone powder on the cut section and propped it upright in the shade beneath a tree to let the removed arm callous and heal. It has been two months now. I am going to plant it in the ground today using my natural soil mixed with 25% sand. Fingers crossed!