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- Q.Golden Barrel Cactus Brown Discolouration - Hello, I've noticed that recently my golden barrel cactus is starting to turn brown at the roots. I took it out ...
- Q.Puncture Wound To My Cactus! - My golden barrel is about 10yo, 15" across, 11"tall, and potted. He recently fell off my balcony and was impaled ...
- Q.Clay Stuck To The Bottom Of Golden Barrel Cactus? Very Few Roots. - Hello, I have been gifted a golden barrel cactus and realised that the soil took far too long to dry, ...
- Q.Golden Barrel Cacti Cluster. After About A Year, Shapes Are Changing From Round To Oval, And An Odd Indentation In One. - I live in Toronto, and about a year ago I bought a cluster of golden barrel cacti — now I’m ...
- Q.My Large Golden Barrel Cactus Has A Pad Of Wet Clay At The Base And Very Few Roots? - Hi, I was gifted a fairly large Golden barrel cactus but noticed that the soil was still wet after two ...
- Q.Can My Large Golden Barrel Cactus Ba Moved Bare Root? - I have some huge golden barrel cacti that are over 40 years old. I need to sell or give them ...
- Q.I Transplanted Several Golden Barrel Cactuses And 2 Months Later They Are Discoloring (brown) From The Base Up - They were purchased from a nursery in the Palm Springs area and re-planted in the central san joaquin valley in ...
Asked by
MariaMaria on
April 21, 2018
Douglas, Isle of ManQ.Golden Barrel Cactus Brown Discolouration
Hello, I've noticed that recently my golden barrel cactus is starting to turn brown at the roots. I took it out of its pot and noticed the soil was a bit mouldy smelling and the roots had died. I realised that I accidentally repotted into orchid soil a few months ago and it must have got too moist. Also I've moved to a less sunny climate last year so it doesn't get as much sunshine as it used too. I removed some of the weaker thorns near the base and let it dry in the sun for a day. (See photos) There are no roots but it isn't mushy and doesn't smell bad. The top half still looks green and healthy. Do you think it can be saved? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me. Maria
Answered by
BushDoctor on
April 22, 2018
Certified ExpertA.If the roots have already rotted off, it can be almost impossible to get it to come back. The only thing to do now is prevent this from happening again. Cacti are very drought tolerant, and should only be watered once completely dry. This will keep rotting from happening. You can also replace 1/4 of your water with peroxide when you water once every 6 months or so. This will prevent infection.
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- Asked by
a_garlick on
June 22, 2020
78744Q.Puncture Wound To My Cactus!
My golden barrel is about 10yo, 15" across, 11"tall, and potted. He recently fell off my balcony and was impaled by a branch of the shrub in front of my patio. The hole is about 1/2 to 3/4". Can he survive this? He's probably been there a couple days. I repotted, added rooting powder and fresh soil and gave a healthy watering. Will/can he survive such a tramatic injury? Please help!
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
June 23, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It will be important to hold off watering until absolutely necessary. Cacti prefer dry soils, and when injury is present watering will often cause infection.
The best thing that you can do is hold off on any care outside of letting it recover, and only water once the soil is completely, bone dry down to the bottom of the container.
Outside of this, adding a mixture of 1 part peroxide to 3 parts water, when watering, will help stave of infection.
Cacti are resilient as long as they are not overwatered. If it does not recover, it will send out a replacement shoot that you can propagate.
Here is an article that will give you information on the general care of the cactus:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
jen3366 on
August 28, 2020
UKQ.Clay Stuck To The Bottom Of Golden Barrel Cactus? Very Few Roots.
Hello, I have been gifted a golden barrel cactus and realised that the soil took far too long to dry, hence decided to repot into some better drainage mix. Upon removing the soil around the roots, I noticed how few roots it has and there was a slab of wet clay stuck to the bottom of the cactus. I removed most of the soil and clay as I could without damaging it too much (please see attached photos) What can I do to save this cactus? Should I continue to remove all the clay that I can or just repot it back up after a few days after it's dried? Any help much appreciated.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 31, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Don't remove anything else, but don't plant it back in clay!!! This is the worst thing you could do for this cactus.
If you aren't familiar with how to mix up a cactus soil, then your best option will be a pre-mixed cactus mix.
This article will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/barrel-cactus/barrel-cactus-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
October 25, 2020Q.Golden Barrel Cacti cluster. After about a year, shapes are changing from round to oval, and an odd indentation in one.
I live in Toronto, and about a year ago I bought a cluster of golden barrel cacti — now I’m worried about them. I’m careful not to overwater. When I bought them, they were all round. But now, they have grown into an oval shape. And one of the larger ones has a sort of weird, isolated indentation. Any suggestions? See images:
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 28, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Your cactus is actually supposed to take on a cylindrical shape as it grows. As far as the dented one goes, you'll just have to watch to see what's going on with it. It could have mealybugs or aphids, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap. You can get some that's specifically made for cactus. Also make sure it's not a soft spot, which indicates rot. Make sure your pots drain well.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/barrel-cactus/barrel-cactus-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/erwinia-soft-rot-in-cactus.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 28, 2021Q.My Large Golden Barrel Cactus Has A Pad Of Wet Clay At The Base And Very Few Roots?
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
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 9, 2021
Certified ExpertA.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:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
melissa paxton paxton on
July 13, 2022
Salado TexasQ.Can My Large Golden Barrel Cactus Ba Moved Bare Root?
I have some huge golden barrel cacti that are over 40 years old. I need to sell or give them away. They are in pots but weigh a ton. I recently found a new home for one at a botanical garden. i need to get it there but worry about damaging it by trying to take the pot it\\\'s in to as the edges of the plant may be cut by the pot as it rides in a truck...can I take the soil off and wrap the roots in burlap? We have to hoist it with a block and tackle to transplant these heavey cacti... I have six of them started from seed.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
July 13, 2022
Certified ExpertA.Sure! This would be a safe way to transport the cactus! This article will help you with moving one:
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 17, 2024Q.I Transplanted Several Golden Barrel Cactuses And 2 Months Later They Are Discoloring (brown) From The Base Up
They were purchased from a nursery in the Palm Springs area and re-planted in the central san joaquin valley in calif. It's been rather cold at night. We've received a good amount of rain during the 2 months they've been in the ground. Should I fertilize, dig up and re-pot and keep in a warmer environment? How might I determine if rot rot is taking place? Thank you
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 19, 2024
Certified ExpertA.Is the soil well draining? If it isn't and you received a lot of rain there could be root rot setting in. The only way to tell for sure is to examine the roots. Check the lower portion for soft spots and decay. Since the article below says it develops yellowing at the base and yours is brown, it could be related to the cool weather. They are hardy to zone 9, which you are in, but if the cacti are small, they are more susceptible to freezing temps. If a frost is predicted, be sure to cover them if they are not a mature size.
Barrel cacti also should not be planted too deeply. You may want to raise it up on a berm to increase warmth and improve drainage. Golden barrel cactus does not need fertilizer.
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