Holes in top of cactus

[gabby c]

I think my cactus are top rotting. The holes go down a cm or two and maybe soft, not mush. The environment I live in is very wet and humid… north Florida. 90-100% humidity everyday. Can I seal the holes? Are the cactus goners?

[jerrytheplater]

Gabby, it is hard for me to see, but this is what I think. In the second photo it looks like you have good growth on the upper left areole. A good sign. If the hole you are seeing is in the center of your plant, that is where all the new growth begins from. You will see new areoles coming out in a spiral manner. If that is rotten, your plant is dead.

Do you grow your plants outside? Does rainwater sit in the crown of the plant for extended times?

[gabby c]

Thank you Jerry. The holes are in the center where new growth would occur but the hole is not in the whole cactus. It’s like a little cavity.

The cactus are grown outside except for winter. The humidity is so high I’ve had suspicions the rain water does stay in the crown too long. I think about putting a cover on top so they don’t get rain.

[nes]

Is that a pup on top of it? It could've been hotnailed by a previous owner, or the meristem could've been killed.
If the pup is actively growing then you shouldn't have much to worry about, but as Jerry said, if it's in high humidity there is a chance it could be rotted.

[jerrytheplater]

Is that a pup on top of it? It could've been hotnailed by a previous owner, or the meristem could've been killed.

That is a great point I didn't think of. I hate seeing the fake straw flowers hot melt glued into the apex of cacti at the big box stores. It looks great for a bit, then the plant dies and the owner says, I can't grow cactus. Or they go out and buy another.