What could be wrong with my cactus?
Becky Spassov
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
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What is wrong with my cactus? Shrinking?
Comments (3)Rachael- Here is what I would do: 1) Replant the cactus in a terracotta pot. I'ts much healthier for the cactus because, it's a natural material. it has better aeration and will dry out faster than the plastic cup you have it in. It will also have a drainage hole. Note: plastic such as your cup will retain moisture. That is not good for any cacti or succulent. Once it's roots sit in a moist/humid environment for too long, the plant will start to rot. Which, leads us to the second step... 2) From your picture, the soil looks dry as sand all the way to the bottom. When was the last time you watered? Some cacti especially ones that have "ribbing" shrink and expand depending on how much water they've retained or lost. That in itself is normal. Your cactus is probably just thirsty. -- Soil: You need to add perlite or pumice, something gritty to make the soil drain faster and be more breathable for the plant. the easiest to mix: 1 part cactus soil and 1 part perlite, then mix well. Keep doing that..at that ratio until you have mixed enough soil. 3) The soil should now be mixed well and ready for your plant. Place the cactus in the soil at the same level it was in as in your photo. 4) Wait a day before watering. Then, water the cactus until the soil is saturated and the water starts to drain out of the bottom of the pot. Once the water stops dripping, you can water it the same way again, just to make sure the soil is completely wet. Let the water drain again and do not water until 7 or 10 days have passed. Water once a month in the winter season. 5) place the cactus in a bright/sunny location, establish a good watering schedule (every 7-10 days) and you should be good to go....See MoreWhat is wrong with my Easter Cactus?
Comments (7)If the rootball is still hard, the plant can't drink, even if the new soil around it is not compacted. Sorry, but I think if mine, I'd take it all apart (after taking cuttings I suggested). Drop the cuttings you take into a glass of water, just 1 inch or 2 deep. They should perk up in a day or 2. I'd unpot it & remove ALL the old mix, even if you have to soak it first & then break the rootball apart w/ your fingers. Any damage done to the roots while doing this is not a problem. The way it is now, it will eventually die of thirst. Seems like the old hardened off soil is strangling the roots &/or preventing them from taking up water. Sorry, but I doubt this will improve w/out the intervention I'm suggesting. Leaf (segment) shape is what distinguishes these plants btwn Easter, Xmas & Thanksgiving, not the time of year they bloom, which can be made to vary by manipulating its care & culture. Here's my Thanksgiving Cactus, w/ its sharp, jagged edges. Your plant isn't dried out YET, but I believe the dry spots & limpish leaves are indications the plant is reabsorbing the water in the leaves since it can't get more from the roots. If you want to reflect on this a bit, I suggest the following. Take a pencil & poke holes down into the mix between sections of the plant, at least 1/2 dozen or so, then water down into the holes you've made. That will ensure water getting down into your rootball & the central core of the plant. That should cause a marked improvement w/in 2 days I'd guess....See MoreWhat’s Wrong with my Christmas Cactus?
Comments (14)Thank you all so much for your input! Yes, it IS an Easter Cactus - you got me on that one! As soon as I posted I knew I was wrong! When I bought it this spring, I thought it was just a Christmas cactus gone crazy blooming that time of year, but I wasn’t about to tell it that! I attempted the running alcohol on a q-tip solution when I initially noticed the problem (maybe a week ago?). It was hard to get the dot off - it looked like an orange/brown dot with a clear layer of slime over the top (probably a bad description!), and didn’t immediately come off, but eventually did once I “helped” it a bit more with some harder pressure. The plant is outdoors and is in the shade most of the time. If it gets any sun it’s afternoon sun. I water once a week, but I have a moisture meter and check the moisture first. Right now it’s reading as very moist/wet, which, I know, is not a good thing. It was potted in a mix of cactus/succulent soil, sand, and pearlite, so it should be draining well. I’m in California where it’s been 100°+ for a while, so the fact that it is not drying out is a little worrisome. Hopefully I watered it recently and forgot! The pebbles on the top were a deterrent to gnats that I read about, and I also like the look. However, if it’s causing the problem, it’s back to sand for me! yes, Rina, I would love some pics. I took one as close as I could (my phone camera doesn’t like to focus close up when I want it to!) of what I scraped off with a q-tip and alcohol today. Maybe it will help! I’d like to save the plant if at all possible. It’s not huge or terribly sentimental, that’s true, but I’d like to keep it if at all possible, just the same. Thanks again everyone for all of your help!!!...See MoreWhat is wrong with my cactus ?
Comments (1)Might it be corking at the bottom? It isn't uncommon for the older parts of cacti to become corky as they age. It doesn't look as nice but it is normal....See MoreKara 9b SF Bay Area CA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoBecky Spassov thanked Kara 9b SF Bay Area CASoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoBecky Spassov thanked SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoPolypompholyx
4 years agoBecky Spassov
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoKara 9b SF Bay Area CA
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
4 years ago
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5