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- Q.Cactus Problem - I have a cactus I bought last fall. It has a growth I'm wondering if you can help me with. ...
- Q.Cactus Rot - I was viewing your page and I came across a symptom my cactus has become a victim to - rot. ...
- Q.Broken Cactus - My dragon fruit cactus (Hylocereus) got a crack in the main stem while I was repotting it (it's very top-heavy). ...
- Q.Cactus Broke Off Base - I know little of cacti. This is a prickly long column (9" tall?). If I'd make a cross-section cut and ...
- Q.Night Blooming Cactus - After the night bloom, when the petals close and become black, even though the stem is still green where it ...
- Q.Cactus Or Succulent - Is this plant a cactus or succulent? This is my plant. In my country, cactus mix is not available. I ...
- Q.Treating Severe Root Rot Old Man Cactus - I have an old man cactus which is 26 years old. Over the past few months, I noticed that the ...
Asked by
mnmeltzer on
May 10, 2016
Brooklyn, NY 11231Q.cactus problem
I have a cactus I bought last fall. It has a growth I'm wondering if you can help me with. I've done some internet research and spoke to some friends who said it might be eggs. I cleaned them off with water and sprayed the plant with a water and soap mixture, but they came back. Any advice?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 11, 2016A.Without an image or a better description, I'm not sure what you had on the cactus.
Water is good to use to clean off insects or something like eggs.
You can gently use a soft toothbrush.More serious infestations can be treated with Neem Oil, but use caution as horticulture oils can damage the natural oily skin of cactus.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
May 16, 2016Q.Cactus Rot
I was viewing your page and I came across a symptom my cactus has become a victim to - rot. I was wondering, whilst looking through the directions of treatment, is it possible to just cut out the infected parts or must I cut the head off the plant and repot it? Thank you for your help.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 17, 2016A.It is hard for me to say given that I do not know the extent of your cactus rot. Depending on the nature of the rot you can either excise the diseased tissue by digging out the damaged flesh using a sharp sterile knife then allow the hole to dry out or you can take cuttings and root them (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/propagating-cacti-and-succulents.htm).
For more information on cactus rot, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/cactus-going-soft.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
pitayasb on
May 22, 2016
Zone 10aQ.Broken cactus
My dragon fruit cactus (Hylocereus) got a crack in the main stem while I was repotting it (it's very top-heavy). The crack is not all the way through the stem and I was able to seal it using the weight of the plant. How should I care for the plant? Will the crack heal? Or will it start to die?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
May 24, 2016A.I would go ahead and prune the plant to eliminate the break.
You can actually go ahead and propagate the cuttings from the plant.Here is an article with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/dragon-fruit/how-to-grow-dragon-fruit.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Ann Gaugler on
May 31, 2016
Abington,PA 19001- near Phila.Q.Cactus broke off base
I know little of cacti. This is a prickly long column (9" tall?). If I'd make a cross-section cut and looking down on the top it probably looks like shape of a star. But base looks dark and shrunken. Can I save the broken piece? How? It also looks a little scorched from the sun.
- Answered by
kh0001 on
June 2, 2016A.There are a number of cacti listed in this article: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/exotic-showstoppers-beautiful-succulents.htm
You may be able to recognize your plant from one of the photos.
Usually, the end of a broken piece of cactus can easily be rooted. If you have new or "still healthy" growth on the base of your plant, you could just leave it in one piece and concentrate on making your plant happy with the proper lighting, water and soil content. Or, if you're able to identify the plant, you could try propagating new plants with cuttings off of the base. I would probably try keeping it whole first, and start pruning off pieces for cuttings as a last resort.
This article may also help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/starfish-flower/growing-starfish-flowers.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
richard.l.wetendorf on
June 7, 2016Q.night blooming cactus
After the night bloom, when the petals close and become black, even though the stem is still green where it is attached to the cactus body, should you cut them off or let them eventually wither and fall off? Two days after flowering they look bad and I don't know when they will fall off, first time and recent cactus owner. Thank you
Answered by
heather on
June 9, 2016
Certified ExpertA.You can either leave them on to fall off naturally or snip them off at the base of the flower. Either is fine and will not harm the plant.
Was this answer useful?00- Asked by
Shahin on
June 9, 2016
I live in Bangladesh.Q.Cactus or succulent
Is this plant a cactus or succulent? This is my plant. In my country, cactus mix is not available. I planted it in regular soil and it's not doing well. Please suggest to me what can I do. Thanking you. Shahin. Bangladesh.
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
June 10, 2016A.All Cactus are succulents, but not all Succulents are Cactus.
You can make your own planting medium, the link below will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/cactus-potting-soil.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 9, 2016Q.Treating severe root rot old man cactus
I have an old man cactus which is 26 years old. Over the past few months, I noticed that the cactus was growing at a lean. I thought that it wasn't getting enough sun and was growing lopsided towards the sun. I moved it to a different position to get more sunlight. It seems now that I was wrong and my cactus was getting far too much rain water and has rotted from the base. The cactus is half its thickness and looking quite poorly. The base is black and grey and appears to be rotten. How can I save my cactus? Will I be able to cut of the rotting base and let the cactus dry out for a few days before re-potting?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 9, 2016A.You could take cuttings from the cactus and save the plant.
Here are a few links for you.https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/old-man-cactus/old-man-cactus-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/propagating-cacti-and-succulents.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/removing-cactus-pups.htmWas this answer useful?00
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