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Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 1:47 pm
by Mizu
Hello,
I've noticed that for a couple months now there's some orange patches at the base of my cactus. It always stayed at the base and hasn't spread to other cacti. It doesn't come off if I try to scrape it off either and has not responded to the fungicide I used. (Safer's 3 in 1 garden spray ready to use, I couldn't find anything else near me unfortunately)
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 3:06 pm
by mmcavall
I have the same problem here and no solution until now (not sure I its rust or some kind of mites damage)
It advances very slowly here...and yours?
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:29 pm
by Mizu
Yes very very slowly as well.I tried scraping it off but if it comes off it's just cactus skin. It's like those spots are not coating the skin it's just the skin that turned calloused and orange.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm
by Tom in Tucson
I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pm
by Mizu
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm
I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
You think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:24 am
by mmcavall
Here is one of my severe damaged plants.
I dont think this can be calcium carbonate accumulation. These plants takes only rain.
- 20220928_070518-01_copy_800x800.jpg (151.74 KiB) Viewed 1767 times
The problem occurs only in the Ferocactus (some different species), none of the other plants is affected
It starts from the base and grow very slowly. Never reached the top of the plant. It stoped for a while and the new growth of the attaked plants is healthy. But I suspect it is starting again. It is difficult to observe the advance of it if you dont take pictures to compare.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:30 am
by mmcavall
Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:29 pm
Yes very very slowly as well.I tried scraping it off but if it comes off it's just cactus skin. It's like those spots are not coating the skin it's just the skin that turned calloused and orange.
Your description is perfect. I have exactly the same impression.
I suspected that it could be mite damage, I have searched for mites with a magnifying glass and saw nothing. Anyway I gave the plant a hot bath (put the plant in hot water at 55 degrees celsius for 2 minutes) in attempt to kill any bugs. After that it apparently stoped but it could be just my impression. I noticed more affected plants recently.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:33 am
by Minnesota
mmcavall wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:30 am
Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 4:29 pm
Yes very very slowly as well.I tried scraping it off but if it comes off it's just cactus skin. It's like those spots are not coating the skin it's just the skin that turned calloused and orange.
Your description is perfect. I have exactly the same impression.
I suspected that it could be mite damage, I have searched for mites with a magnifying glass and saw nothing. Anyway I gave the plant a hot bath (put the plant in hot water at 55 degrees celsius for 2 minutes) in attempt to kill any bugs. After that it apparently stoped but it could be just my impression. I noticed more affected plants recently.
The photos brought to mind some prior mentions of Fusarium and Botrytis infections. A quick search of this site will bring you to the posts.
The photos do appear different; one looks like calcium depostion as Tom suggests, one appears fungal to me. The hot bath might have partially inactivated the disease, causing the slowing or stoppage.
Just my impressions, but try the search to read more.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:18 am
by mmcavall
Thank you Minnesota, l'll search for this.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:54 pm
by Mizu
So mine is probably calcium deposit like Tom said. Thanks guys
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pm
by Tom in Tucson
Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pm
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm
I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
You think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:19 pm
by Mizu
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pm
Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pm
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm
I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
You think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
I'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:50 pm
by Tom in Tucson
Mizu wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:19 pm
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pm
Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pm
You think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
I'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.
Their soil is of high quality but a little pricey.
One other thing you might try is adding a little vinegar to your water. It should help dissolve any mineral build up, and is usually harmless (some say beneficial).
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 12:17 am
by zpeckler
mmcavall wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:24 am
Here is one of my severe damaged plants.
I dont think this can be calcium carbonate accumulation. These plants takes only rain.
20220928_070518-01_copy_800x800.jpg
The problem occurs only in the Ferocactus (some different species), none of the other plants is affected
It starts from the base and grow very slowly. Never reached the top of the plant. It stoped for a while and the new growth of the attaked plants is healthy. But I suspect it is starting again. It is difficult to observe the advance of it if you dont take pictures to compare.
Holy crap... That looks exactly like what happened to a Ferocactus that one one of the first cacti I ever got! The poor thing died real fast after this started. I had no idea what happened at the time. With the wisdom of a bunch more years of cactus education and experience I figured it rotted because I was growing it in Home Depot "cactus and succulent soil" and watered it way, way to much... You know, the usual noob mistakes.
Now I'm thinking it might have been something else.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:20 am
by Mizu
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:50 pm
Mizu wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:19 pm
Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pm
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
I'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.
Their soil is of high quality but a little pricey.
One other thing you might try is adding a little vinegar to your water. It should help dissolve any mineral build up, and is usually harmless (some say beneficial).
Thank your for the tip, I'll try that the next time I water it
