Terscheckii Is down, I’m seeking advice

[Sunnyside]

A week ago, a storm - a microburst, specifically - knocked over several of my plants (along with literally caving in my garage door).

The bridges and other smaller ones, I can work with

The root(ball) appears intact.

I’m thinking I can at least re-elevate the cactus and have a good chance at survival.

I’m also thinking it would be better to, in some way, loosen at the root, with the goal being to plant it deeper.

So, I’m asking for any thoughts, please.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been here, thanks in advance for your helps!View attachment 111276View attachment 111277View attachment 111278

 

[Transform]

A week ago, a storm - a microburst, specifically - knocked over several of my plants (along with literally caving in my garage door).

The bridges and other smaller ones, I can work with

The root(ball) appears intact.

I’m thinking I can at least re-elevate the cactus and have a good chance at survival.

I’m also thinking it would be better to, in some way, loosen at the root, with the goal being to plant it deeper.

So, I’m asking for any thoughts, please.

It’s been a minute since I’ve been here, thanks in advance for your helps!View attachment 111276View attachment 111277View attachment 111278

Sorry to hear about that.

Did you manage to stand the cactus back up?

 

[Sunnyside]

Not yet, I wanted to get any comments first.
Plus, it’s somewhat unwieldy.

Would you guess that’s the appropriate path?

Thanks, Mr. Zero.

 

[Transform]

I was thinking to wrap it in stout pieces of cardboard or carpet, dig out the hole for the roots a bit and stand the thing up with the help of ropes/slings and bits of wood - possibly made into a 'goat' - as necessary. Then the hole can be filled in, with maybe a few extra rocks for good measure. The plant might need staking while it gets reestablished.

This is just what I'd imagine doing in the situation, so if anyone has any further suggestions, fire away.

Did you delete your attachments? I can't see the pictures at all, which could have been helpful to get an idea of the terschekii's bulk if nothing else. a big one would require some fairly substantial engineering to get upright; I'm wary enough of my "smallish" 90 cm tall, potted specimen.

 

[Sunnyside]

 

[Sunnyside]

Thanks for those thoughts.
I’m grateful.

Re-posting pictures to give an idea.

 

[Transform]

Oooof! Glad it missed the cristate by a hair! Small mercies, eh?

Is the terscheckii about 1.2 - 1.5 m (4' - 5') tall? You might need a wooden 'A' frame (the aforementioned 'goat') taller than the cactus, and a sling made of carpet and rope, to help lift that back up. I'd dig a new hole so the plant can sit lower than previously, and if you can include some large rocks to prop it up some more, all the better. It seems almost like the wind vibrations contributed to liquefying the soil - it kind of looks like the plant rotated in the ground rather than getting ripped out; then again, I guess there would have been a lot of rain washing the soil back into the hole, or just making the ground quite swampy.

 

[DetritusTheEgo]

That is a big terscheckii. I'm not sure you can do my method as I've never tried with a cactus this large and heavy. Figure to share it though.

With skinny cactus, like bridgesii, that fall over in .5-10 gallon pots I get paracord or a towel under the column(s) between the cacti and the ground. The paracord / towel sits close to the top ~1/4th of the column(s) height. I then pull the cactus up by the paracord or towel in one hand and with the other hand stabalize and lift the pot until it is upright. My feet usually are also involved to give the pots a stop to get leverage on so the pot doesn't slide anywhere.

This works great while dealing with fallen cacti by myself whether they have a single column or many. Usually it avoids snapped columns from the lift process itself. I've had columns snap when lifted without a support. The damage it took from the fall itself is another story.

Transforms suggestion I picture being pretty close to the same as mine but with carpet it'd cradle the entire column versus all the weight on just a few straps. That is probably a better call for a cacti this big. Getting it onto carpet might be a big task but may have room to roll it onto it. If you can roll it then setup the straps, if going to use, under the carpet then roll it on.

If you can't do carpet you can probably dig and get a few ratchet straps under it and ratchet it upwards via a nearby tree, rock, or vehicle. The cacti it is laying on could be a blessing in disguised if that gives you room to get a strap under without much digging there. A wench could be useful in that situation.

Good luck. If it doesnt rot, it'll likely root on its side like that and the tip will orient and grow towards the sun and throw pups.