My Large Golden Barrel Cactus Has A Pad Of Wet Clay At The Base And Very Few Roots?

Question

Hi, I was gifted a fairly large Golden barrel cactus but noticed that the soil was still wet after two weeks hence I decided to repot it. Lifting it out of the pot I noticed that there was very few roots and I got to removing the soil around them. However, when i got to the base, I noticed there was wet clay like mixture slabbed right on to the base of the cactus and the root ball ( what was left of it). I’ve done my best to remove most the of the clay but couldn’t get it all off. The cactus has only a few strands of roots and the rest have died off at the top. What do you think the best course of action to do to save the cactus is? I am going to repot into some fast draining gritty mix, give it a bit of water a few weeks later, then not water until spring comes around again? Do you think that’s ok? Any idea what the wet clay could have been there for? Please find attached picture of it. Hope you can help. I really want to save it. Many thanks

Answer 1

Your plan of action sounds fine. It should be in a well draining medium so I don't know why it was in clay. Here is more on the care:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/barrel-cactus/golden-barrel-cactus-care.htm