My large cactus is browning at the base, is it rotting or corking?

by MakerOfJam

10 Comments

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  2. MakerOfJam

    This old cactus was doing fine for about 8 years until a few weeks ago when I came back from a trip and noticed browning at the base. The base is hard-ish? I read that some cactus go through ‘corking’ to support their weight. I can’t tell if this is the early stages of that or it just starting to rot.

    My care habits are not the best, I usually just water it when I can’t remember the last time I did, so maybe every few months. I usually don’t keep it in direct sunlight, but moved it prior to this post after seeing someone suggest it. I live in a nordic climate so we don’t get much heat or harsh sunlight.

  3. wheresbeetle

    I can’t really offer advice here other than to say that if it was rotting I’d assume the weight would have caused it to topple by now. I hope it’s not! It’s a beautiful plant

  4. Maybe I’m wrong… but that’s not a cactus.
    Something in the line of a socculent euphorbia.
    There are some subs in that matter!
    Good luck
    Gorgeous plant

  5. MikeCheck_CE

    Looks like rot to me. Lift it out and inspect the roots.

  6. marelunne

    my euforbia looked the same! i left it and she is doing amazing for months now so i hope you are all good 🙂

  7. EndsWithJusSayin

    This looks like rot, not just because of the browning, but also because it’s yellowing above where it’s browning.

    If this was corking like a cactus would, it wouldn’t yellow like that.

  8. Ambitious_Cattle_

    The yellowing above suggests rot. I’ve heard pebble topping cacti is a mistake as it holds moisture near the base (if you haven’t committed any other sins like having it in purely organic soil or a pot with no holes in the bottom, or aggressively over watering)

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