Is this rot or heat damage?

Trouble shoot problems you are having with your cactus.
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Greenlandys
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:27 pm

Is this rot or heat damage?

Post by Greenlandys »

I've had this cactus for a few years now and the lower end of it has begun turning yellow / brown and I'm worried it might be rot. It doesn't feel particularly soft or squishy compared to the rest of the cactus though and it looks like it's just the outermost layer that's turning. My other thought is that it may be heat damage, it's been sitting on my windowsill above a radiator and we've had some very hot days this year which would make sense since it looks a lot like the skin is drying out / peeling. Should I cut off the bottom and replant it or can it recover?

Do you guys have any ideas or advice?
Image
Close up of the base. You can see the yellow discolouration and how it looks dry along with browny spines.

Image
Whole cactus from the side, the top half looks really healthy but there's definitely something with the bottom.

Image
Whole cactus again but from the front.
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pins&needles13
Posts: 76
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:32 am
Location: Western PA

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Post by pins&needles13 »

It looks like it is just corking. This happens to very old plants. It's harmless
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greenknight
Posts: 4813
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Post by greenknight »

Yep, that's just age.
Spence :mrgreen:
Greenlandys
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:27 pm

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Post by Greenlandys »

That's a huge relief, thanks a lot!
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