First of all, it is not a cactus!

Pachys will go dormant during the colder time of year, prior to this the leaves will develop spotting, become yellow, and drop off. New leaves will start when conditions are favorable.

Assuming the plant is otherwise healthy, it sounds normal. Dormancy doesn't always happen at the same time or even in the same species from year to year, there is definitely variability. And sometimes only the older leaves will fall off while the newer ones hang on.

Just remember to cut back on watering significantly when active growth slows and stops.

My best advice to you is do some research about your plants. Since you did not even realize that Pachypodium are not cactus, that is telling me you do not understand your plants. All the advice in the world won't do you or your plants any good without some basic knowledge.

Pardon my error..My Caudiciform Succulent::::
Yes, I'm sure it's going through the start of dormancy, but I don't recall ever seeing brown spots on leaves in previous years. I'm a step ahead of you..I've already cut back watering.
Does anyone else have an answer? I'd appreciate it. BTW, I've been growing plants of all types since the 70's, though I admit only taken C&S's the last 10 yrs. Thanks for your help..Toni

Maybe a sudden cold shock created the spots??? I've seen them on my own plants exposed to chilly nights but without a photo I can't tell for sure it's the same thing.

Temps in the low 40's are cold enough to damage some Pachy leaves.

sounds like the beginning of dormancy to me too. Mine are also showing spots and dropping leaves and I'm a few zones warmer. Only other guess would be too much water, but you said you cut that back already.

-Ethan

Xero...I brought in my Pachy's before it hit 40..Like I stated above, as soon as I heard the temps were dropping in the 30's later that night, (at the time it was in the 60's) I brought all C&S's indoors..

Ethan, thanks..So your leaves are showing brown spots, too? Are you doing anything or just plucing leaves? Each fall, when dormancy starts, a few leaves fall off, but for the most part, most remain during winter months. Are your Pachy's inside now? Did yours start showing spots after bringing inside? Okay, thanks, I feel much better now..(S)
The trunk is healthy, no rot..I'm basically confused because other Pachy's are not showing any spots on leaves, not that I'm complaining..LOL..I guess I'll cut off leaves w/these spots, and let nature take its course..thanks again, Toni

hello Toni,
my P. lammeri (sp?) is showing brown spots and dropping leaves. It is still outside and will probably remain so til Nov-Dec(lows in the mid to low 50s now), then into the unheated greenhouse. I still have nice green leaves, spotted ones, yellow, and brown.

I know very little about c&s diseases, but the spots on my pachy do look similar to the anthracnose that one of my mangoes has. Once again I know zilch about diseases but as another possible answer to your problems, MAYBE (?????) you have black spot or anthracnose or some other maladay. I recently purchased Serenade, an organic anti fungal to use on my mango, and when my epiphylia show some orange spot this winter, I'll give it a try there too. A comoplete guess but maybe......?

good luck,
-Ethan

Toni hi,
The brown spots could actually be 'black spot' pachys can get it.

On my Pachypodium Saundersii has just dropped most of it's leaves and all of the leaves had spots. The flower buds are just getting ready to go.

Ethan and Passion..My plants never had 'black spot' before, but I've seen pics of this disease via plant books. The spots in book pass for those on my Pachy, but isn't there a reason this fungus happens? Like overwatering? Believe me, I don't overwater..We had quite a bit of rain a few wks back, but this guy has been through worse storms before..It's semi root bound, has great drainage, so any excess water should have ran out the drainage holes..
I'd post a picture, but my website, Yahoo, no longer exists as of Sept 20th, so I have to find a new site to add pictures. Something compatable to GW.

Alot, your Packy lost leaves but about to bloom? Where is the bud located? How old is your plant? Congrats..that's fantastic news. So, your leaves developed these spots?
I'm going to assume it's normal considering the time of year. As long as the trunk is solid I'm hoping there's no real problem..I really love my Pachy; trying to get one of each type..
I want to thank everyone for their help..you all made me feel 100 times better..Toni
PS. One more question. My Pachy stands 42" tall. It's potted in an 8" clay pot..I'm sure the Pachy is totally rootbound..Should I increase pot size next spring? Would a 10" pot be too big? It sounds large, but that's the only size I can get here..no 9". Thanks, Toni