Sign Up
Click on links below to jump to that question.
- Q.What Is This Cactus And What Are Its Growing Habits - (I posted this before but the pix didn't take.) It is a cutting I was given. Tendrils are coming out ...
- Q.My Cactus Is Turning Black And Crusty What Do I Do? - I just noticed today that my cactus is turning brown, crusty and brittle at the top. I usually check on ...
- Q.Is My Cactus A Blue Torch? - I've had this cactus for about three years but I'm still unsure what species it is. It was unlabeled when ...
- Q.Can My Cacti Be Saved? - I have neglected these cacti for 20 years (inherited from my mom after she died). The taller one seems to ...
- Q.Can You Trim Down And Replant A Cactus. - Hello, Jeff here. I looked up "replanting a cactus" on the internet. That's how I found your website. Anyway, I ...
- Q.Hi, A White Powder Has Appeared On My Cactus And Appears To Be Spreading! Thoughts On A Cause And Cure!?! TY! - Whatever is the issue it appears to be spreading quickly. Is it a fungus or a watering issue?? TY!
- Q.Cochineal Scale On Cactus – How To Treat Cochineal Scale Bugs General Cactus Care By: Amy Grant - I have tried several different applications all with little if any lasting effect. You mention the below treatment. This is ...
Asked by
Cjj44 on
February 2, 2022
10001Q.What Is This Cactus And What Are Its Growing Habits
(I posted this before but the pix didn't take.) It is a cutting I was given. Tendrils are coming out of the top of the "leaf." Now some small tendrils are popping out of the older ones. The parent plant was in very poor condition, but basically, all "leaves" had tendrils coming out, which were all soft, with air roots. The indentations on the 'leaf' are more pronounced than the ones on my oxypetalum. (The round leaf with babies at the bottom of the picture is a completely different plant..not part of this question!) I would love to know what this plant is called, but more important is to know its growing habit...does it climb, and need support, or does it sprawl and belong in a hanging basket, or something completely different? I really want it to thrive!
Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 3, 2022
Certified ExpertA.That is a Dragon fruit or a Night Blooming Cereus. Hard to say which, but I am leaning towards and NBC. It is just lacking light, very seriously. When this happens the plant will stretch in search of full sun.
If you are not able to provide full sun, then you will need a light of at least 100 watts to keep it happy.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/night-blooming-cereus
Was this answer useful?00
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
- Asked by
EG on
February 27, 2022
10990Q.My Cactus Is Turning Black And Crusty What Do I Do?
I just noticed today that my cactus is turning brown, crusty and brittle at the top. I usually check on all my plants once a week and just noticed this today. I’ve read a lot and it seems this may be fungus and not frost bite as it is indoors. I usually only water once a month but probably watered a little too much this month so Im not sure if that’s the cause. I plan on repotting with new soil just in case but im not sure how to treat what’s already there. Do I cut all of this off? Hoping there is something I can do to save it.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
February 28, 2022
Certified ExpertA.It does sound like too much water has caused rot. Cutting off all infected matter and treating with a fungicide will be your next steps, as you repot.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
MRH747 on
March 24, 2022Q.Is My Cactus A Blue Torch?
I've had this cactus for about three years but I'm still unsure what species it is. It was unlabeled when I bought it. I love it very much and would like to know how tall it will grow. It is currently 15.5 inches tall including spines. I would appreciate any help on identifying it :).
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
March 24, 2022
Certified ExpertA.It is, probably, within that section... Yes. The entire genus is undergoing reclassification, so we may see this group split even further!
For now, this will be considered within the broad genus, Echinopsis.
http://www.phytoimages.siu.edu/taxpage/0/genus/Echinopsis.html
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
March 30, 2022Q.Can My Cacti Be Saved?
I have neglected these cacti for 20 years (inherited from my mom after she died). The taller one seems to have a fungal infection? Is there anything I can do to save it? Same with the red button cactus. I notice some white patches that seem to be missing chlorophyll. both had lichen on it (mostly on the taller one). Can you also tell me what type of cactus the taller one is?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
March 30, 2022
Certified ExpertA.Make certain you are not overwatering. That is the surest way to harm a cactus. I don't see all of the tall plant, but it could be African milk tree (Euphorbia trigonia). Here are some articles that should help. (The milk tree may be overwatered or is getting too much sun) Lichen do not harm the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/cactus-landscaping.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/fungal-lesions-on-cactus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/erwinia-soft-rot-in-cactus.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
May 4, 2022Q.Can You Trim Down And Replant A Cactus.
Hello, Jeff here. I looked up "replanting a cactus" on the internet. That's how I found your website. Anyway, I was given a cactus in a small arrangement. I relocated it, it grew larger of course and now I'd like to repot it. Will it regrow if I cut it down closer to the base and just replant it? I don't know much about the variety of cactus but I'm interested in learning about them. I kinda like the growing it, slow, easy, neat to look at. I'd appreciate any help.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 6, 2022
Certified ExpertA.Yes, you can divide or trim and replant many succulents. Yours may be a variety of haworthia. You need to let the tips callus over a few days before repotting.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/prune-leggy-succulent-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/splitting-succulent-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Mcass1974 on
May 24, 2022
11210Q.Hi, A White Powder Has Appeared On My Cactus And Appears To Be Spreading! Thoughts On A Cause And Cure!?! TY!
Whatever is the issue it appears to be spreading quickly. Is it a fungus or a watering issue?? TY!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
May 24, 2022
Certified ExpertA.It is either fungal or bacterial. It could definitely be related to watering, as well. Since those stones cover the top, it can be difficult to tell when it needs water. I would advise using a moisture meter, and waiting until the soil is completely dry down to about halfway into that container before watering again. Be sure that all extra water is removed from the outer container after doing so.
I would treat with a fungicide, as well.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/cactus-going-soft.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
June 12, 2022Q.Cochineal Scale On Cactus – How To Treat Cochineal Scale Bugs General Cactus Care By: Amy Grant
I have tried several different applications all with little if any lasting effect. You mention the below treatment. This is quite the chemical cocktail Can you provide a little more detail on the quantities of each chemical I've included some photos of the cactus in question. I have a 2-gal sprayer container. It sounds like you prefer this application. Malathion and triazide combined with Neem oil or Volck dormant oil spray should do the trick. Regards, RJ Pelletier If the cactus seems to be heavily infested, you may have to go with a chemical cochineal scale treatment. Apply a combination of insecticide, dormant oil spray and/or insecticidal soap. Malathion and triazide combined with Neem oil or Volck dormant oil spray should do the trick. Apply according to the manufacturer’s directions. Do not spray on hot, sunny days, as the plant is likely to burn from the dormant oil. If the weather is too hot to use dormant oil, use pesticide mixed with dish soap.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 22, 2022
Certified ExpertA.This will be in accordance to the manufacturers instructions on the packaging (including application times and number). The dish soap will only require a drop or two per gallon. (no more than a quarter of a teaspoon will be more than enough.)
This will have to be repeated, as well as manually removing any sealed specimens since it can be difficult to treat when they seal themselves.
Was this answer useful?00
Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert
X
Join Us -
Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!