What happened to this cactus?

Trouble shoot problems you are having with your cactus.
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mmcavall
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Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region

What happened to this cactus?

Post by mmcavall »

This cactus was not healthy, probably lacking some nutrients (I'm adding some now)
but recently some of the tubercles roted...

Image
what happened?
thanks in advance
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greenknight
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Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by greenknight »

The way the damaged side of the tubercles all face the same direction makes me suspect sunburn. Maybe it was unable to produce protective pigment due to its unhealthy condition.
Spence :mrgreen:
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mmcavall
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Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by mmcavall »

Thanks Spence, it is a good guess. That is the side of the sun. However, this cactus has been in this place for months...why would it sunburn now?
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adetheproducer
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Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by adetheproducer »

Is it soft and squishy. It looks exactly like when my one of these rotted after a free. I am not suggesting yours has had a freeze but the colour and texture look the same as mine. It that whitish layer mold?
And as the walls come down and as I look in your eyes
My fear begins to fade recalling all of the times
I have died and will die.
It's all right.
I dont mind
I dont mind.
I DONT MIND
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CactusMad
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Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by CactusMad »

If that was mine I'd take it out and look at it's roots.It looks like rot,is it soft?

:)
iann
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Location: England

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by iann »

That doesn't look like rot. Some of the tubercles are certainly burned. It might have happened now because the plant is stressed for some other reason though, so no harm in checking the roots.
--ian
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greenknight
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Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by greenknight »

Not much to add to what Ian said. The rule I follow is: when a cactus looks sickly, check the roots.
Spence :mrgreen:
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mmcavall
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Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by mmcavall »

Thanks all for the suggestions.
the whitish layer is not mold, definetively. It is more like a "dried skin".

Maybe the burnt was caused by excess of fertilizer???

The top of the plant is green and wooly, it looks healthy from above.

I'll check the roots.

Thanks all
Pushrestart
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Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 4:11 pm

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by Pushrestart »

Hmmm it does look like sunburn damage. How quickly has this been spreading?
I guess it cant hurt at this point to check the roots then cut through and see if all the tissues are affected or just outer skins.
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mmcavall
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Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region

Re: What happened to this cactus?

Post by mmcavall »

Hi Push, thanks for your suggestion. The problem "stoped", did not spread more. When (if) I check the roots, I'll post here. Thanks all for replying.
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