Melissa J. Bell

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

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Stories By Melissa J. Bell

  • Flowers
    Flowers By Melissa J. Bell September 6th, 2022

    How To Stake A Cactus

    How to Stake a Cactus. The Cactaceae family's spiny, stemlike shrubs and trees, such as prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), Whipple cholla (Cylindropuntia whipplei) and saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea), are known for their dangerous spikes, floral displays and ability to store large amounts of water. Despite their vigorous growth, however, these desert succulents are easily destabilized. A shallow root system and root damage from rot, particularly on a tall or leggy specimen, can cause leaning or total collapse of the plant, and staking the cactus may be necessary. Cacti are hardy in a variety of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones, depending on the variety. Prickly pear, for example, is hardy in USDA zones 3b through 11, Whipple cholla in zones 5 to 10 and saguaro in zones 9 through 10.

    By Melissa J. Bell September 6th, 2022 Read More