Q. Our cactus has started to die from the top down. We
lost our first one in May, before the summer heat even started. Do you have any idea why this is
happening? We were watering, with
bubblers, three times a week, for about 5 minutes. We increased that when they
started to die, but it did no good. Any information will be appreciated.
lost our first one in May, before the summer heat even started. Do you have any idea why this is
happening? We were watering, with
bubblers, three times a week, for about 5 minutes. We increased that when they
started to die, but it did no good. Any information will be appreciated.
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| Readers cactus dead or with severe damage |
A. Wow, judging from the pictures you do have a problem.
The plant looks dead from top to bottom. This looks like one of the Cereus or
night-blooming cacti, a pitaya type.
The plant looks dead from top to bottom. This looks like one of the Cereus or
night-blooming cacti, a pitaya type.
When did
you see this happening? This looks very similar to freeze damage from the
winter but if you are just seeing this now then of course it is not. Another
possibility is root rot if watering too often and not giving it a break of dry
soil between waterings.
you see this happening? This looks very similar to freeze damage from the
winter but if you are just seeing this now then of course it is not. Another
possibility is root rot if watering too often and not giving it a break of dry
soil between waterings.
Three
times a week is going to be excessive for this plant and may be the problem.
The plant would prefer a large amount of water and then long times between
waterings, much like rainfall in dry climates.
times a week is going to be excessive for this plant and may be the problem.
The plant would prefer a large amount of water and then long times between
waterings, much like rainfall in dry climates.
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| Another view. |
But
bottom line the soil needs to dry thoroughly between waterings to prevent root
rots. When planting, make sure the soil is amended with some real good stuff at
planting. Cacti can survive poor soils better than many plants but also perform
better with an enriched environment provided the soil drains water freely and
dries between irrigations.
bottom line the soil needs to dry thoroughly between waterings to prevent root
rots. When planting, make sure the soil is amended with some real good stuff at
planting. Cacti can survive poor soils better than many plants but also perform
better with an enriched environment provided the soil drains water freely and
dries between irrigations.