I’ve had this cactus for years and years and years. He recently slouched a bit, but my sister took a look and said he just looked like he was aging. He looks very unhappy now and the slouching has grown worse. I’m worried he’s rotting, and if he is, is there anything that can be done to save him?
He sits right next to a window and gets plenty of light, but it’s winter and the home has been colder than normal. Never been an issue over the past 15 years.
The pot has drainage but I’m unsure the exact watering habits, as my mom has been caring for him while I’ve been away. She’s been caring for him for a few years with no issue while I’ve lived states away.
Maybe he’s just old and it’s his time, I don’t know, but I’m very saddened by this.
by TheFemoDemo
4 Comments
Is it squishy?
Also it’s pretty old, idk what species it is so I can’t give an accurate gauge of whether it’s age related or not
It looks rotting
Cactiguide.com is my favorite cactus forum. They have saved my cactus a number of times. They have also seen a lot more on there and might know what’s going on. Cause I have no clue.
It looks perfectly fine, just stressed and scarred up. It just needs tlc and some adjustments. Im sure it could go for a repotting, and your soil looks like high ratio of organic matter to inert natter. You want more inert matter like perlite, pumice, or lava rock, this will allow you to water more frequently without worry of stagnant soil causing rot. I personally use ~70% perlite and ~30% potting soil so i can water and fertilize frequently (i grow fast growing Trichocereus so your watering/feeding schedule may be less frequent). This also accounts for humidity in my greenhouse. Take into mind your climate and average humidity. If its hot and dry, use maybe ~50/50 inert/organic ratio. If its Hot and humid, 70/30, if its cold and humid, 80/20. How you care for your cactus roots is a huge determining factor for how your cactus grows and survives.
Being winter currently (if you’re in the western hemisphere) do not water or fertilize. Set it and forget it, let it sleep. In spring and summer, keep it outside in the sun. It appears to have some sun damage (the scarring on the areoles on the lower half) which is likely from it not being acclimated to direct sun. You can acclimate it by putting it in a partly shaded area letting it get sun for small parts of the day. Over a few weeks it will adjust and you can give it more and more sun. In the summer, water and fertilize regularly while letting it bask in the sun.
The scars and wonky growth will never heal, but it can outgrow it.