Hello,
I have an Opuntia Microdasys that has seen better days. In the last 2 weeks it grew a nice pad really quiclky and then all of a sudden it stopped and instead of standing tall and proud like it used to, it is now ''soft'' and started to shrivel. FYI I watered it 2 times in the last month.
As winter approaches, is it normal for an opuntia to do this or should I be worried (cause I am right now haha ...)
I bought it 6 weeks ago and repoted it right away, I remember having a hard time with the compacted peat, I removed most of it but left a clump where the pad and the roots meet. Should I unpot it to finish the job or not ?
Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Opuntia microdasys shriveling
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- The pads used to be ''fleshy'' and flat
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- greenknight
- Posts: 4819
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Shouldn't be shriveling that fast. After a couple months of dormancy that would be normal, but not now. Unpot it and check for root rot.
Spence
Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Ok I found what looks like white mold on a few spots on the roots. I am not sure if it is rootrot or mealy bugs(I did not see any bugs) I think I will just throw away this one ...
Is there something to do with the pads at this time of the year ? If it is too late in the season, is there a way to somehow keep them ''alive'' until next spring to pot them ?
Thanks
Is there something to do with the pads at this time of the year ? If it is too late in the season, is there a way to somehow keep them ''alive'' until next spring to pot them ?
Thanks
Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Don't throw it away! If you want to ditch the plant and start over, cut of the pads at the joints and try to root them!
Budding cactus enthusiast
Twitter: jmoneypn
Instagram: jmoneypn
Twitter: jmoneypn
Instagram: jmoneypn
Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Don't worry that is exactly what I did ... Now I just hope they will make it through winter !
Thanks for the tip
Thanks for the tip
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Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Also don't over water the cuttings. They can rot easily since they don't have functioning roots to 'drink' the water.
Budding cactus enthusiast
Twitter: jmoneypn
Instagram: jmoneypn
Twitter: jmoneypn
Instagram: jmoneypn
- greenknight
- Posts: 4819
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: Opuntia microdasys shriveling
Don't water at all until they have roots. You could mist them to help keep them from shrivelling any more.
Spence