SOS! Is this rot? What do I do?

7 years ago

Hi! Gardening newbie here. One of my cacti was turning red at the tips (I put it outdoors, in full shade). And I posted a question about the tips. The commenter asked why I was putting ribbons to support the cactus up and I said because it was tilting. And it got me thinking; I should repot him and check his roots. He was firm all over, soil upwards but underneath he is weird and red! What?! Is this rot?! The red part is not mushy. It's still on the firm side but definitely got some softness.. Look:

What do I do? How come his roots are so little?

i don't know whether to plant him or cut him or.. Help! I don't know!

i got this guy a year ago and he grew SO much in that year. He used to be just one column and now he has arms and tiny balls at his base etc.

i live in Asia; full tropics. Sun year round (save for the rainy season; where we have rain and sun).

this was on garden soil.. On a dish with a drain hole. I can repot in cactus potting mix if you advise..

Thanks!!

Featured Answer

Pagan

7 years ago

You know, Violet, I don't think there was anything wrong with that plant at all. It was probably just reacting to outdoor light.

Pagan

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Comments (6)

TaraMaiden
7 years ago
You know what I would do? I would remove all the little offshoots, for a start, because that sparse root system is trying to support all that top growth. Let all cut surfaces dry off really well, both on the main growth AND on the off-sets.

Then pot it back up in some appropriate cactus compost, just placing the roots fairly near the surface; not too deep. Then, top off with coarse gravel. Support the plant as necessary. There is also a way you can cut the top section of the plant clean across, and let it dry for about a month to permit the cut surface to form roots at its core...

In which case, it may be best to just "scrap" the base, and start again...

This may also help....
Violet Blackwould thanked TaraMaiden
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Violet Blackwould
Original Author
7 years ago
Dear Alexandra,

Thank you for your advice. That video was very informative. I don't have a "melocactus" (what the video owner has); and now I need to research what mine is and if mine is a "desert cactus" or not.

When I watch YouTube videos or research online, I get quite confused as they always talk about seasons (winter, spring, etc.). Where I live, we only have two seasons (sun and rain) and that makes me wonder how to treat my cacti. Should I water deeply and let dry fully between watering? Should I water often? When are my cacti "growth seasons" and "dormant seasons", etc.

But I guess I just need to wing it and see if my cacti grows, etc.

--

Dear Pagan (fakechuchi),

Your comment made me feel so much better. I'm an optimist and would like to think my cactus is "fine" as well! Ha! I really have no idea but I'm truly trying my best. Thank you.

--

What I did: I put the cactus back in it own small pot. Pot has drain holes. I used very gritty cactus mix that I made. I planted it back up dry. Not too deep (I can't plant deep anyway because it doesn't have a lot of long roots). It's standing up fairly well.. No need for support for some reason (the body is quite firm, you see). I put chopsticks on the sides (I made sure not to hit roots) in case it tilts over when the sandy mix shifts.

I won't water until.. I don't know when.. Until a few days? Or weeks? I don't know.. when I see any sign of growth I guess. Or when It seems so weirdly dry.. It's indoors now, by a NE facing window. So let's see how he goes.

Wish me luck!
kenizona
7 years ago
That does not look like rot to me. I would just repot it in coarse, gritty soil and keep it in the brightly lit area. The soil should contain at least half rough, gravelly material, such as perlite, pumice, scoria, chicken grit, or whatever you can find locally. Be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings. The roots will regrow and the plant will be better anchored.

The very thin (etiolated) tips will never thicken, and may die back, but that should not hurt the rest of the plant. You could cut them off if you want, or just leave it as is. I would not remove the new arms (balls).

Mammillaria elongata is a resilient plant. It should recover well in time. Good Luck!
Violet Blackwould thanked kenizona
Violet Blackwould
Original Author
7 years ago
Dear Kenizona,

I am thrilled you gave me the name for my cactus. I wrote it down. A future project of mine involves naming (ID-ing) all my cacti and your help is appreciated.

I repotted him, as I said. I used a very very gritty mix. I was going for 1:1 cactus/palm soil and gravel/pumice but basically i kept going for courseness. I believe I made a good mix.

Contrary to what a poster suggested, I did not cut off any of the plant parts. I couldn't bear it haha. So it's all in the new pot.

It stood up straight (unlike before when it was tilting in a shallow dish) so I am pleased. I am less worried about rot now, as I think, and hope that he will be fine!! YAY!

Time will tell. Thank you all!
Pagan
7 years ago
Keep it out of the monsoons, Violet.

SOS! Is this rot? What do I do?

Pagan

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