Shriveling Cactus, please help

11 years ago

Hi All - I've had this cactus for almost a year now and it's been sitting on my windowsill and has been very happy. Recently I noticed that the smaller stem has started to shrivel, droop a bit, and turning yellow. The strange thing is, the larger stem seems very healthy, and is in fact growing new off-shoots.

I water this cactus once every week to 10 days. I fertilizer it with a small amount of cactus fertilizer too.

Can anyone advise - is this from too much water, or not enough? And is there a reason it's only happening to one stem and not the bigger one?

Thanks

Bryan

Featured Answer

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

11 years ago

Even letting them sit on surface may work - I root many succulents that way. Sticking them into soil is np either, just make sure you don't over water them.
No roots, no water.
General advice is to make a clean cut (without squishing the plant - sometimes sharp knife is better), letting cutting to callus for a while and then pot-up.
Looks like you have very good amount of light, the plant looks quite compact.

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Comments (7)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
11 years ago
I would suggest the damage of having it in container without drainage hole is finally showing - it may be rotting. Top is growing since it's not in water-logged soil.
Even 10 days could be too often in that kind of container & soil.
If you want healthy plant, get it into a terracotta (or even plastic) pot with proper drainage. You may have to discard the very bottom of it.
Rina
bryanthegrower
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Rina - thanks for the advice. I suspected this might be more of an over watering than under watering issue. I did drill a hole in the bottom of this container for drainage, and put rocks in the bottom, but maybe that's not enough. I'm wondering if there is any chance of this stem surviving at this point?...
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
bryan

Rocks in the bottom of container don't help, if you have 'dense' mix it will hold too much water anyway. If you are interested, this thread: click here will explain about soils and drainage much better than I ever could.
Survivig - I think so, but almost certain not base/lowest pad. Not only it is too wet, but being so low in glass container, there isn't any air circulation.
All others look very healthy so you can have many new plants. I don't grow them but believe they root easily if placed just on top of potting mix. Hopefully someone that grows them will chime in.

Will you keep them indoor year-round or do you have any outdoor space?

Rina
bryanthegrower
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi again and thanks so much! Yes leaving them indoors all year because I live in NYC and unfortunately have no outside area. I'll take your advise, raising the soil level, looking into better draining soil and clipping the healthy ones and rooting them in potting mix.

Maybe someone else could chime in with rooting advice for this type of cactus? I am guessing sterilized scissors, and putting the clippings in the top of potting soil would be enough but I'm not sure, I'm a beginner.
nomen_nudum
11 years ago
It's tuffer than it looks, don't manipulate it bare handed
bryanthegrower thanked nomen_nudum
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
11 years ago
This one is particularly notable for the sheer amounts of irritability provided by its glochids, so as nomen suggests, don't use bare hands or any gloves you want to keep around. Tongs are good, or the Sunday NYT. Insert a pad partially into the soil, surround with gravel to support, and mist every few days. You'll see new growth in a month IME.
bryanthegrower thanked cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5