Cactus/Mexican fencepost cactus
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Question
My Mexican fencepost cactus is approximate 60 inches tall and the cactus is turning yellow from the base to one fourth of the way up. What is happening to my beautiful plant?
Dear Reenie,
Is the yellow part of the cactus softer than the upper part? Have you had much rain or moved it recently? Usually yellowing that high up indicates rot that starts in the roots and moves up. Bacteria or fungal infection enters a plant by some small break in the skin, usually by trauma and also by too much water and sometimes by root mealy bugs.
Check the condition of the yellowing and look at the roots. If the base is indeed soft and/or the roots look black and stringy there's not much you can do to save that pat of the plant. In that case, I'd take a sterilized sharp knife and cut above the rot to healthy tissue (if you need more than one cut, re-sterilize the knife), let that callous and start a new plant.
Hope that helps any if you have any questions and /or a photo, please don't hesitate to send it to me.
Maureen
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| Comment | Maureen- Thank you for your expert advice. We just moved to Tucson, AZ and have a yard full of wonderful succulents. We are definitely novice's in this climate zone! If I have more questions I will contact you. Thank you! Reenie | ||
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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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