Help.... i think my Cactus is dying!!!!

[Buglet04]

Hi there,

I really hope someone can help! I really know nothing about plants but have had my cactus for around 20 Years and love it dearly.

It is around 8 feet high ( purchased it when it was around 4 inchs high) and it has always been healthy.

Over the last month, around the bottom 2 to 3 feet have changed colour to a extremely dark green rather than the healthy green higher up" The darker area is also softer. To squeeze It almost feels like soft fruit on the point of becoming rotten. It is is a very large pot, but some suggested maybe re-potting it! I'm scared to do anything to it incase i make it worse.

The spikes are still fine but the top has stopped budding like it used to on a regular basis.

Hopefully the pics help, sorry they are not too good

Any advice would be greatly appreciated..

[ceterach]

Hi

The bottom is rotten and unless you do something it will all die.

The best thing to do is to find the lowest point that is not rotten (not dark green) and chop the top off about three inches above that point. Throw away the bottom part and leave the top for a few days/weeks to dry and then pot up in a very sandy/gritty compost.

BTW It looks to me if you also have a fairly major mealy bug infection.

All the best

[Dorts]

Good advice from John. It looks to me as though it may have caught a bit of frost, only takes a degree or two with many cacti.

You could try breaking off a couple of branches and re-potting those as well as dealing with the main stem. And as John says, you must tackle those Mealy Bugs. You can get several products from any good Garden Centre to deal with them though it may take several doses. Always a good idea to add a little washing-up liquid to the mix, it helps to break through the waxy stuff.
I remember years ago Mealy Bugs and Scale Bugs were treated by painting on paraffin via a small paint brush; it worked very well.
Anyway, best of luck.
Dorts.

[Buglet04]

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply! I will get the garden centre for something to treat the mealy bug problem!

Once i cut the rotten part away, where do i leave the plant to dry out for a few days/weeks as you said? Outside just now would surly be too cold?? Also, once it is drying out, cant i treat the mealy bug prob at the same time? ie whilst its not potted??

Thanks and much appreciated

[ceterach]

Hi

You must dry it off indoors. Dorts is right that you could try one or two of the arms separately just break them off hwere they leave the main stem. Again they should root in suitable compost.

With regard to the mealy bug I would wait until the plants are rooted and growing in the early summer and then treat with a systremic insecticide (if you can still get such things) unless you want to treat each one individually with a cotton bud wetted with methylated spirits (it certainly kills them). (Sorry Dorts, didn't read your last bit!!!!)

When you do the job check the soil and roots for root mealy bug (same woolly appearance), if present throw the compost into the dustbin rather than on the compost heap, just for safety.

All the best

[Buglet04]

Hi again.

I've now cut the rotten part away ( was quite a sad moment after having him for the last 20 years)
One last question, How ling do i let him dry out for, and is it safe to re-pot him in his original pot once its been cleaned out?

Just out of interest, does anyone know why he started rotting, was it something I did?
Thanks again and please keep your fingers crossed for me that he makes a come back!

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Buglet04

Hi again.

I've now cut the rotten part away ( was quite a sad moment after having him for the last 20 years)
One last question, How ling do i let him dry out for, and is it safe to re-pot him in his original pot once its been cleaned out?

Just out of interest, does anyone know why he started rotting, was it something I did?
Thanks again and please keep your fingers crossed for me that he makes a come back!

As long as it takes for the wound to properly callus over, could be several weeks or more.
Dorts.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Dorts

I remember years ago Mealy Bugs and Scale Bugs were treated by painting on paraffin via a small paint brush; it worked very well.

Methylated or white spirit, apply with cotton buds and wipe off the bugs. Certainly no need to buy anything more elaborate - do not spray cactii.

CM