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Is this rot or heat damage?

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:01 pm
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?
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Close up of the base. You can see the yellow discolouration and how it looks dry along with browny spines.

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

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Whole cactus again but from the front.

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:32 pm
by pins&needles13
It looks like it is just corking. This happens to very old plants. It's harmless

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:27 pm
by greenknight
Yep, that's just age.

Re: Is this rot or heat damage?

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:38 am
by Greenlandys
That's a huge relief, thanks a lot!