Q.REPOTTING A CACTUS – BUT HEEEEEEEELP….. ROTTING MAYBE?? SEE PICS
Good Morning – I live in Florida & have had this cactus that my Dad started in 2006 as a 2in plant. He passed away in 2007. I have NO green thumb…but LOVE my ‘Jimmy’ cactus. Yes…I named it Jimmy after my Dad. I have repotted it 3x. And it is time again. The terra cotta pot was broke a week ago by septic tank workers. Got new huge pot…rocks. Sand. Succulent potting soil etc. But a very unsure about this brown/yellowy bottom on the big section. All those pups grew from 2006 till now. I also included a pic of it’s yellow blooms. What kind of cactus is this & how should I handle the brown large parts? I watched many videos about watering the root parts and knocking out old soil…but I do not want to lose this plant. It reminds me of my Dad. Please Help!

Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It is a beautiful plant. Some mother plants decline after flowering. You may have one of those. It also could be over or under watering. To be on the safe side, I suggest repotting a couple of the pups in separate pots as new plants. It looks like a barrel cactus.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/removing-cactus-pups.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/barrel-cactus/barrel-cactus-care.htm