What can I do to save this cactus?

Trouble shoot problems you are having with your cactus.
Post Reply
CactoidCactus
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 5:01 pm
Location: South of germany

What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by CactoidCactus »

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? :?
Attachments
305381396_1521332901640748_5319358313455368529_n.jpg
305381396_1521332901640748_5319358313455368529_n.jpg (85.71 KiB) Viewed 769 times
305501009_2695274030609003_2714481066956198553_n.jpg
305501009_2695274030609003_2714481066956198553_n.jpg (84.51 KiB) Viewed 769 times
305809304_1179699845913816_4279630580382836315_n.jpg
305809304_1179699845913816_4279630580382836315_n.jpg (63.2 KiB) Viewed 769 times
Pd1973
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:29 am
Location: Rijeka, Croatia, EU - zone 9a

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by Pd1973 »

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.
User avatar
Tom in Tucson
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
Location: NW Tucson AZ area

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by Tom in Tucson »

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.
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.

Whatever you do keep it dry in partial shade until new growth resumes.

The ID seems more than likely.

Good luck!
CactoidCactus
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2022 5:01 pm
Location: South of germany

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by CactoidCactus »

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.
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 it :)

My friend didnt know either but he suspected pachanoi.. personly im bad at iding.

Thanks!
User avatar
greenknight
Posts: 4813
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by greenknight »

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.
Spence :mrgreen:
User avatar
anttisepp
Posts: 1348
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:00 pm
Location: Suomi - Finland

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by anttisepp »

T bridgesii IMHO. Heal mites.
Pd1973
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:29 am
Location: Rijeka, Croatia, EU - zone 9a

Re: What can I do to save this cactus?

Post by Pd1973 »

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.
Post Reply