If the cactus rots from below: how to save the plant
Cacti are quite unpretentious plants. There is a popular myth that cacti will grow under any conditions - they don't even need to be watered.
In fact, cacti are prone to decay, and there can be many reasons for this. Read the OBOZREVATEL article on how to save a plant if it is rotting from below.
Causes of decay
Compared to other plants, cacti can truly be considered hardy. Among the most common causes of decay are the following:
- Excessive moisture, which causes damage to the root system and waterlogging of the substrate;
- damage by diseases and pests;
- viral infections.
How to save a cactus
Here are step-by-step instructions to help save the cactus.
Step 1: preparatory
Carefully remove the cactus from the container and wash it from the soil.
Step 2: pruning rules
Rotten parts should be cut off immediately.
An important caveat: fungal mycelia penetrate even healthy tissue, so you need to cut off the damage with a margin.
If the cactus begins to rot again after pruning, it means that you have not removed all the infected parts.
Step 3: trimming the stem
The cactus stem must be cut on both sides. The cut will resemble a slightly sharpened pencil.
Step 4: drying
At this stage, we proceed to "drying". After pruning, the cactus should dry out. The plant should be dried in a bright room, while avoiding direct sunlight. It should be dried until a dense crust forms on the cut. Some experts advise drying until roots form.
Step 5: rooting
After drying, the cactus needs to be transplanted. It is best to choose a small pot and fill it with dry sand.
You can't fill the cactus with water - watering is done through a sump. Water should saturate 1-2 cm of the bottom layer of sand - this will be quite enough.
Place the cactus in a bright place, but avoid direct sunlight - this will allow the plant to take root as quickly as possible.
Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you how often cacti should be transplanted and which pot is better to choose.
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