Cactus/Broken head of Cactus
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Question
Hi Maureen,
Please help me,i have a light green prickly cactus,raised from a tiny finger to a massive foot long plant.I recently repotted it,and when i put it outdoors on my balcony something happened.Maybe it got hit by a cat.When i brought it back in because of an unexpected frost,it fell over.I straigtened it twice,and then buried it deeper in the pot.The next day,the 'head' of it just fell over,leaving the hollow main stem exposed.What should i do please?
Sabina
It sounds like the base actually developed dry rot somewhere along the way (it might even have been the frost), thus the hollow base. If there is healthy tissue - white, green, juicy- above the part that fell off, I'd cut it there and reroot that part. Then I'd throw out the base, soil and sterilize the pot. Your plant devel0ped a fungus or bacterial infection and all that stuff is contaminated. Don't compost it.
If you look through some of my other answers I've written a lot about rerooting a cactus.
if you need more help, let me know.
Maureen
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Maureen
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding the care and propagation of cactus and succulents and would actually group these together as folks often mistake one for the other and often their care is quite different. I also have a cold hardy cactus and succulent garden that has been quite successful. The subject in regard to classification of type is enormous and I wouldn't be able to answer all questions by any means. It is really IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE A PHOTO if at all possible and LET ME KNOW WHERE YOU ARE FROM, especially in terms of climate.
Experience
I have learned by reading books, by trial and error and by consulting with folks with much more knowledge. I have primarily grown C&S for the last 20 years.
Organizations
Cactus and Succulent Society of Massachusetts.
Education/Credentials
No formal training. See experience.
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