This article is a follow up to the 02.15.17 posting.
Luckily, our grounds Manager was back at the Homestead when it was decided to try and move the cactus. The weather prognosticators had predicted rain for that evening. The cactus would need to be moved now or wait several days. This time they were correct, we received an inch of rain.
The grounds manager quickly found that it is difficult to work with a cactus that had sharp needles, along with the rose bush that was next to the cactus which has numerous thorns. Needles and thorns were awaiting their opportunity to penetrate the grounds manager’s body. We now know he bleeds red!
He carefully pushed the shovel into the ground at various points around the cactus, attempting to loosen the ground without damaging the roots. This work wasn’t easy for the old grounds manager, but after many minutes the cactus was loosened. Our grounds Manager then called the head chef to come outside and help him. She, using a long handled shovel, was able to leverage the plant with a large amount of dirt attached, high enough for the Grounds Manager to get two hand holds. He was able to lift it from its place in the ground and place it in the wagon. Would you believe the cactus and attached dirt ball weighed 80 pounds? Me neither, but in truth, it was heavy. He carefully transported the cactus to its new home.
The cactus can grow as large as it would like in this new location. We have seen this type cactus locally, as tall as 6 foot and also that wide. Finally our grounds manager seems to have done something right.
A rare photo of our Grounds Manager. He has his hat and sun glasses on and he is wearing his Best Shirt, street gangster style. For that one person who does not see it, he has only one button activated and it is the top button. Click to enlarge the photos.
Be careful in sticky situations!
Don Ford
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