Need to remove a cactus? People contact us, from time to time, wanting to remove a cactus from their garden. Some people want advice on how to do it themselves and others just want the cactus gone ASAP!
If you just want the cactus gone as soon as possible, you’re welcome to contact us to discuss removal (see option 3). We can organize cactus removal in Christchurch and surrounding areas.
What’s a cactus worth?
A cactus, like anything, is worth whatever someone is willing to pay at the time you’re selling it. There are other factors that influence how much someone is willing to pay:
- A large cactus is difficult to remove as a whole plant. People are often unwilling to pay for the whole plant due to the effort and cost of removing it. It is more likely that they will have to cut it into pieces to remove it.
- A limited number of collectors are willing to spend money buying a large cactus. Many people will be satisfied with a smaller cactus that will grow over time.
- The time you want the cactus removed might not be the right time for cutting or transplanting. The ideal time to remove a cactus is late spring to the middle of Autumn. Warm, dry days are required for the cut ends of the branches to dry and form a callus. It is preferable to move a whole cactus when it’s actively growing, not during winter dormancy.
- The actual value of the cactus to collectors. A rare cactus or one with unusual growth patterns (variegation, cresting, monstrose growth) is more desirable to collectors.
Options for cactus removal
Option 1 – Advertise the whole plant as “buyer to remove”
List the cactus on on Facebook Marketplace, TradeMe, or a local buy/sell group as “buyer to remove”. If you’re listing it as an auction, you could list it as a $1 reserve auction, or set the reserve price you’d be happy with.
Pros: Someone else will do the removal for you. You can set a price you’re happy with.
Cons: Finding a buyer could be difficult, but for $1 reserve or a relatively low price it’s often possible.
Option 2 – Remove the cactus yourself
You can remove the cactus yourself and either dump it (what a waste!) or sell it as pieces. Check out Facebook Marketplace or TradeMe to see if people are selling and at what price.
Pros: You will generally make more money selling it in pieces.
Cons: If you’re selling a common cactus, then the market can be flooded with sellers. Cacti with large spines can be difficult to cut down.
You are welcome to contact us if you want some advice before starting.
What you’ll need
For a large cactus, you’ll need the following things:
- Two or more people – for safety, you will want one person to handle branches and the other person to cut them. Branches are quite heavy, as is the stump.
- Something to cut it with – older growth can be quite hard and woody inside, so a decent handsaw or sabre saw will help you.
- Gloves – you can handle cacti with very short spines relatively easily with a pair of leather gardening gloves.
- Ladder – For particularly tall branches, you’ll need to cut them in multiple sections.
- Somewhere to store and dry the cut branches – initially, you’ll lie the branches down while the ends dry in the sun. Once a callus has formed, it’s best to stand them upright. If you leave them laying down, roots might form along the branch. Additionally, the growth tip can curl up, making it difficult to replant vertically.
- A spade or shovel – you’ll have to dig the stump out of the ground. The main roots aren’t too deep. It can take considerable effort to dig deep enough and cut through the roots.
Cactus Removal Christchurch
These photos are are of a large cactus that we removed. This gives you an idea of what’s required. We cut the branches, dug up the stump, and removed the branches from the site.
Option 3 – Contact us to arrange cactus removal
We don’t generally buy cacti, as our gardens are already full of plants. However, we’re happy to use our expertise to quickly and efficiently remove the cactus, at no cost to you. If you want the cactus removed as soon as possible, you’re welcome to contact us to discuss your options. We generally only remove a cactus between October and April, to ensure the branches will callus over before Winter. For less common cacti, we have removed them in winter when the owner has plans for landscaping or building.