Are you worried about cactus melting? Cactus are generally problem-free plants; sufficient sunlight and little care are enough. But sometimes, problems like cactus melting arise, destroying the plant. Cactus melting can be avoided by becoming aware of its early symptoms and solutions.
This article will discuss cactus melting, its solutions, and tips to prevent them from happening.
Why Did My Cactus Liquify?
Overwatering is one of the most prevalent causes of a cactus becoming liquified. Cacti are dry plants that don’t require much water to live. Too much water can be fatal. To help them survive in arid conditions, cacti plants, like most succulents, conserve water within their stems and leaves. So only moderate watering is required for cactus plants.
Why Is The Bottom Of My Cactus Mushy?
If water cannot leave the vase, it accumulates on the soil’s surface, soaking the cactus roots. It makes the cactus mushy and sometimes even triggers root rot. If your cactus is in a well-drained container, the next possibility is that it has been overwatered.
How Do You Fix Rotting Cactus?
The most common reason for cactus rotting is overwatering. If you detect your plant becoming mushy, act fast, and you might be able to find a solution. Cacti that have withered all the straight down to the soil level could be able to recover with adequate care.
In the case of rotating cactus from the bottom up:
Step 1: Trim the Cactus
Using a sharp knife, remove the cactus’s top. Trim the plant material at least 2 inches above the rotten plant material.
Step 2: Let the Cactus Dry
Place the sliced cactus piece on its side in a cool, dry location for 24 to 72 hours or until the cut bottom of the cactus piece dries and callouses over.
Step 3: Replace the Soil
If growing in a container, change the cactus soil; shift to drier soil if growing in the landscape. Overwatering is a major cause of rot, although fungal issues in the soil may also be to blame. Fill a clean container with new cactus dirt.
Step 4: Transplant the Cactus
Replant the cactus portion you cut off in new soil. Sit it just deep enough to keep it from tipping over.
5th: Water the Cactus
Water the ground once a week during the first two weeks of development when the cactus lays down new roots.
In the Cactus Rotting From Top to Bottom:
Step 1: Remove the rotted portion
With a razor blade, remove the rotting section of the cactus. To ensure that all rotting tissue is pruned away, make the cutting incision at least 1 inch into good tissue.
Step 2: Remove the Rotted Portion
Dispose of the rotten cactus section. It cannot be replanted or preserved.
Step 3: Replant the Cactus
Check that your planted cactus is thriving in a cactus-succulent mix. If it isn’t, you’ll have to replant the cactus in a suitable combination. Potting soil or sandy soil absorbs too much water, which will lead to additional decaying problems.
How Do I Know If My Cactus Is Rotting?
These signs are all tiny sunken places, discolored scabs, spherical soft regions encircled by fruiting bodies, and black or other colored dots on the cactus skin. You could even observe leaking from your cactus plants. You will sense a very soothing earthly scent if you remove a healthy plant. However, an unhealthy cactus would smell terrible.
What Are Tips To Prevent Cactus From Dying?
It is quite difficult to rescue a dying cactus, but we can extend the cactus’s life if we take enough precautions to avoid infections and provide the correct care. There are several ways to keep the cactus alive.
- Use Nitrogen fertilizer in a low proportion
Fertilizer should be applied at the commencement of the growing season, which is usually around March. Fertilizer is mixed and packaged in different amounts. Cacti want a nitrogen grade of 10 in their ratio. High nitrogen levels cause stunted growth and mushy texture.
- Remove dirt or dust
When the cactus’ skin is covered with dirt or dust, it cannot process light properly. Use a soft cloth or towel to remove this debris. You may clean it using a cloth dampened with water and a little dish soap and then rinse it under the sink faucet.
- Remove the rotten components
Overwatering is the most common cause of decay. The parts of the plant that turn black or brown must be removed. As a result, you must determine whether your soil is damp and whether the plant should be transferred to a new pot with fresh soil.
- Stop Overwatering
When watering, take care not to overwater the plant since this might cause infections and rot. Overwatering is considered to be the primary cause of rot in the cactus.
How Can You Make Your Cactus Survive Long?
- Place in a warm place
Choose a location where the temperature does not dip below 60°F. A moon cactus may be kept outside in the summer but must be brought inside during the winter since cold kills this cactus plant. By doing this you can avoid the chances of diseases as cacti need a warm place to grow.
- Plant your moon cactus in soil that drains properly
Overwatering causes root rot or bug infestation. Potting soil mix for cacti is suitable for moon cactus, or you may increase drainage by adding perlite to the soil. To help excessive water drain, use a porous clay container with drainage holes.
- Water sparingly
Like many other cacti, the moon cactus does not require a lot of water. When watering, thoroughly moisten the soil and completely dry it. Water the plant only after the soil has been dry for about a week. The moon cactus only has to be watered during the growing season, not throughout winter.
- Maintain an appropriate balance of light and shade
For photosynthesis, the rootstock cactus requires plenty of sunlight. Place your moon cactus near a window, only under partial sunlight, as direct sunlight may be detrimental. If you intend to plant your moon cactus on a window sill, ensure it is shielded from direct sunlight with drapes.
- Place in a warm location
Choose a location where the temperature does not drop below 60°F. You can keep a moon cactus outside during the summer, but it must be taken inside during the winter since cold destroys this cactus plant.
FAQs
How Do You Tell If A Cactus Is Overwatered?
Overwatered cactus shows signs like loss of color, soggy and limp plants, root rot, etc. If you find this early, you can save the plant before it worsens.
Can A Rotting Cactus Be Saved?
Yes, if you repot the plant, remove the affected soil, and change it with sterile soil, the cactus can be saved.
How Much Sunlight Does The Cactus Require?
Usually, succulents and cacti need between 10 – 14 hours of light a day to grow healthy.
What Are The Major Diseases Affecting The Cactus?
The cactus’s major diseases are Dry Rot, Charcoal Spot, Root Rot, Soft Rot, Stem Rot of Cacti, etc.
Why Did My Cactus Explode?
Cactus explode due to illness or mechanical damage to the cacti’s pods and stems. You should keep an eye on cactus health to avoid this.
Conclusion
Liquifying or melting is a typical problem in cactus, and there are several causes for this. Identifying these issues early on is critical to protecting the world. Plants that this disease has already infected can be saved if proper care is taken.