What is wrong with my globe cactus??
I’ve had this lil dude for almost a year, and it’s been doing so well for the whole time I’ve had it… until just recently within the last couple of days it’s started to look very sad :(
What should/can I do??
What should/can I do??
4ft to light, indirect
2” pot without drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
12
Best Answer
Is it really soft and mushy at the base? If you slightly push sideways is it soft and does it move? It looks like it may be rotting pretty bad at the base. Worst case scenario you may have to try to cut the rotted part off and try to grow roots on the top part that isn’t rotting yet. I had one rot like this recently due to the weird weather happening right after I watered. I should have waited to water. Two healthy cacti died from overwatering because it went from 90 degrees outside to cold again. I should have waited. They would’ve been fine if I had just waited to water. Now I try not to water until the cacti are showing wrinkles or signs of dehydration slightly. That’s the only way I can be sure they won’t rot after I water them. Some I can squeeze test and if they feel firm then I know not to water. If they feel noticeably squishy then I know to water. But that only works with some of the less spiky or non spiky ones.
Looks like part of the base is rotting. I'm not experienced with cacti... @SirLiquorice do you have any advice? #cactusclique
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@SirLiquorice thanks a lot for the advice. I'm so sorry to hear about the cacti you lost 😢. The weather is extremely variable here too at the moment, going from warm sun to hailstones and then windstorms.
When you cut rotten bits off a cactus, how do you do it? What type of knife, do you sterilise it, do you let the cut callous over for a few days? Any info appreciated ☺️🌿💚
When you cut rotten bits off a cactus, how do you do it? What type of knife, do you sterilise it, do you let the cut callous over for a few days? Any info appreciated ☺️🌿💚
@Ella.Newcomb I sanitize the knife with 91% alcohol first and wait a few min. I use the largest and sharpest knife I have so it makes the work as easy as possible. You can use old jeans or a shirt or something to hold the cactus. Just wrap it a little at the top and hold it like a handle. You will see when you have cut until the rotten part is gone. I like to use clonex rooting gel after cutting to help roots grow. But any root powder or hormones will probably help. But it may not be necessary. Some people just use cinnamon on the cut part to avoid rot. But after cutting just wait until new roots grow before you water. It’s can take a month or more. Watering too soon will cause rot immediately again. You can plant in dry cactus soil like rabbit hill farms soil less cactus mix or even 100% perlite to start with. But the rabbit hill soil will help make sure the soil drains and dries fast and prevents rot. I have had successful cuttings by just placing them in that soil.
@SirLiquorice Thanks so much!!
This picture is what we’re working with now… 😅😳 I know it looks grim, but I’m optimistic——and bound and determined to have a triumphant recovery! 😂🌵🤞
It’s just sitting upside down on top of this potting mix on a shelf for now, so my cat will leave it alone while it’s drying out :). I have some powder rooting hormone that I plan to apply within the next few days or so. I would imagine that doing this and putting it in one of those media you mentioned would probably be better than attempting to propagate it in water? 🤔
This picture is what we’re working with now… 😅😳 I know it looks grim, but I’m optimistic——and bound and determined to have a triumphant recovery! 😂🌵🤞
It’s just sitting upside down on top of this potting mix on a shelf for now, so my cat will leave it alone while it’s drying out :). I have some powder rooting hormone that I plan to apply within the next few days or so. I would imagine that doing this and putting it in one of those media you mentioned would probably be better than attempting to propagate it in water? 🤔
If the soil is dry the can flip it over right side up, but don’t water it at all for awhile. You may need to wait a month or more to water to avoid rotting again. Roots need to be growing. I wouldn’t leave it upside down for too long. Just set it right side up on Dry cactus soil. Once roots grow you can start lightly watering.
Maybe even put a top layer of rocks and just set it on top of the rocks for now so it can dry and callous and start to grow new roots hopefully