What can I do to save this cactus?
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What can I do to save this cactus?
I got this cactus from a friend of mine and it's still at my parents house. I dont have a lot of experience with cacti, but I think my mom gives him a bit of water every once in a while. I just changed pots, before the pot was very small. How can I get the little guy back to life? Also, any idea on the cactus kind?
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Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
It is very difficult to determine which cactus it is, apparently I think it is a Trichocereus. Which one exactly, I don't know.
First, tell us what kind of substrate you planted it in, according to the picture it looks too organic to me, so you could add at least half of mineral substrate (perlite, lava or similar). It would be best if you ask the friend who gave you the cactus to tell you what kind of cactus it is. Also, it is very important not to water it for the first week, and after that, water it once or twice until it is ready for winter vacation. It doesn't look too bad, by the way, so it'll be ok. Maybe you should have waited until the end of winter or the beginning of spring to transplant.
It's hard to tell from the picture if he got sunburned, but I think he'll recover, just give him good growing conditions.
First, tell us what kind of substrate you planted it in, according to the picture it looks too organic to me, so you could add at least half of mineral substrate (perlite, lava or similar). It would be best if you ask the friend who gave you the cactus to tell you what kind of cactus it is. Also, it is very important not to water it for the first week, and after that, water it once or twice until it is ready for winter vacation. It doesn't look too bad, by the way, so it'll be ok. Maybe you should have waited until the end of winter or the beginning of spring to transplant.
It's hard to tell from the picture if he got sunburned, but I think he'll recover, just give him good growing conditions.
- Tom in Tucson
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Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
I agree with the advice given. Instead pf using perlite, I would use either pumice or an oil absorbent made with either calcined clay or diatomacious earth gravel.Pd1973 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:51 pm It is very difficult to determine which cactus it is, apparently I think it is a Trichocereus. Which one exactly, I don't know.
First, tell us what kind of substrate you planted it in, according to the picture it looks too organic to me, so you could add at least half of mineral substrate (perlite, lava or similar). It would be best if you ask the friend who gave you the cactus to tell you what kind of cactus it is. Also, it is very important not to water it for the first week, and after that, water it once or twice until it is ready for winter vacation. It doesn't look too bad, by the way, so it'll be ok. Maybe you should have waited until the end of winter or the beginning of spring to transplant.
It's hard to tell from the picture if he got sunburned, but I think he'll recover, just give him good growing conditions.
Whatever you do keep it dry in partial shade until new growth resumes.
The ID seems more than likely.
Good luck!
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Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
Oh the substrate thing i didnt know, i just tried to get the ph to match. Ill make sure to add some mineral substrate. Im glad about the diagnosis though, really dont wanna lose itPd1973 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 08, 2022 6:51 pm It is very difficult to determine which cactus it is, apparently I think it is a Trichocereus. Which one exactly, I don't know.
First, tell us what kind of substrate you planted it in, according to the picture it looks too organic to me, so you could add at least half of mineral substrate (perlite, lava or similar). It would be best if you ask the friend who gave you the cactus to tell you what kind of cactus it is. Also, it is very important not to water it for the first week, and after that, water it once or twice until it is ready for winter vacation. It doesn't look too bad, by the way, so it'll be ok. Maybe you should have waited until the end of winter or the beginning of spring to transplant.
It's hard to tell from the picture if he got sunburned, but I think he'll recover, just give him good growing conditions.
My friend didnt know either but he suspected pachanoi.. personly im bad at iding.
Thanks!
- greenknight
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- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
The exact species isn't that important as to care, it's definitely something in the Trichocereus group (which many taxonomists lump into Echinopsis). Many of those in cultivation are actually crossbred, pachanoi or a hybrid of it is a reasonable guess. Anyway, cacti in that group aren't very fussy about soil, it might do okay in that stuff - but it will be safer to add more mineral grit, it makes it easier to avoid over-watering.
After being cramped in a small pot for a long time, it's going to take it a while to adjust to the increased pot space. It may not make much growth the rest of this season, but it will be spreading out its roots and getting established, it should be ready to take off and grow well next year. Have patience.
After being cramped in a small pot for a long time, it's going to take it a while to adjust to the increased pot space. It may not make much growth the rest of this season, but it will be spreading out its roots and getting established, it should be ready to take off and grow well next year. Have patience.
Spence
Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
T bridgesii IMHO. Heal mites.
Re: What can I do to save this cactus?
for Trichocereus I use soil mix: 30% eathworm, 30% standard cactus soil mix, 20% perlite and 20% mineral substrate
also it will be fine if you use 50% organic (earthworm or peat) and 50% mineral (perlite or pumice or lava)
It is best to plant Trichocereus in a larger container, unlike other cacti, they grow better in larger containers.
It is difficult to say what caused the damage, red mites or sunburn. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to apply neem oil to cacti. Since it is a young Trichocereus, you can apply a systemic insecticide, but I prefer neem oil as prevention.
My cacti have never had a problem with red mites, but heat waves in the last few years can result in stress, to which they react by producing alkaloids, which soften the tissue (black spots, about 2 cm in diameter), and that part eventually leaves a hole on the cactus . No big deal, they are hardy cacti.
also it will be fine if you use 50% organic (earthworm or peat) and 50% mineral (perlite or pumice or lava)
It is best to plant Trichocereus in a larger container, unlike other cacti, they grow better in larger containers.
It is difficult to say what caused the damage, red mites or sunburn. In any case, it wouldn't hurt to apply neem oil to cacti. Since it is a young Trichocereus, you can apply a systemic insecticide, but I prefer neem oil as prevention.
My cacti have never had a problem with red mites, but heat waves in the last few years can result in stress, to which they react by producing alkaloids, which soften the tissue (black spots, about 2 cm in diameter), and that part eventually leaves a hole on the cactus . No big deal, they are hardy cacti.