On the contrary, leaves that once were green, then going through the stages of yellowing, browning, eventually turning black is definitely a cue that you are overwatering. Leaves turn black because they are not able to further take up moisture. The roots are sitting in too much water...forcing the plant to draw water up, until such time, the plant is unable to proceed any further. Root rot sets in....the leaves are the first sign of any problem that is caused from such watering practices. At the stage of blackness, it has gone on far too long. Yellow leaves might be the first sign of overwatering---along with other possible causes...but overwatering, being the one biggest reason for trouble, should be thought of first. As the water is no longer able to do anything for the plant....even tho, water is sitting only a few inches away...the leaves are unable to draw any more, they are saturated...and so will turn black. I think one of the easiest ways to have such result is by not having something between the soil and the drainage holes and letting the drainage water sit too long under the plant causing it to draw water it once got rid of, to be drawn back up and if the plant cant use it, it sits there, drowning the roots. Distilled water is a viable choice if you believe the water from your tap has something in it that might cause problems. But there are other sources of water without going the distilled route. Bottled water---very common these days...water that has sat for days in a watering can or water from snow you have brought in and allowed to gain room temperature can be used. Plants react to changes that are abrupt. Cold drafts from floor vents or open doorways can cause yellowing leaves. Too high nighttime temperatures can cause browning tips and edges.

hablu, forgot to mention, the soil in the plastic pot it was in was not too wet, but, the cactus was sitting above sideways, separately if you may. there was a little soil with it on the bottom, a little more on the dry side, it caught my eye that way, but i just placed in on the soil that was originally there, have not watered at all, but will see how it goes. thanks for your advice/opinion Chuy

Usually you find me on the hosta forum. I enjoy this one as well. Congrats on your new home! If you email me I can send you some Ventricosa seeds in the fall to get you started. A very common, green hosta, but is my favorite for backgrounds and massing. I guarantee they will grow for you. Literally have thousands of them growing here. Extremely hardy. I will also email you back a picture of their growth habits to give you an idea if you want this particular kind. The gold and varigated varieties look even better in front of the Ventricosas.

Sorry, finally had a chance to reply. The uniformly bumpy pattern and extreme cupping makes me think it had some cold damage, possibly the eye starting to elongate early in the spring only to be hit by freezing weather again. This can happen to one plant that maybe was planted higher or got a bit of sunlight warming it up faster than the other. But then you have the odd look along the veins that makes me worry about HVX, and considering that most of the Patriot on the Dutch market carry HVX it wouldn't be a big surprise if these were infected. Keep watching the new growth for that lighter pattern along the veins. If you continue to see that then they really could be infected. Chris