Expert: Maureen - 12/27/2011

Question
I have had a cactus plant for about 11 years
Never had a problem and it has been growing very well.
About 4 months ago I notice a side shoot start to droop over. I didn't think it was from overwatering, but I did cut back just the same. After a few more weeks there were no better results so I decided to repot it with fresh cactus soil. It has been 2 weeks and it is not responding
Some facts
Nice and green, looks very healthy
A few spots where it is light brown, but something I always thought to be there.

Answer
Dear Frank,

Do you have a photo?  Do you know what kind of plant it is?  Is it just an arm that is drooping or the whole plant? Where are the brown spots? It' hard to know without a photo but drooping usually means rot at the site or systemically.  The plant can get it from even a small insult/cut and it can develop slowly.  It'a hard to advise without seeing, but I might suggest you look closely at the drooping area.  Is there discoloration, is it soft?  If so there maybe rot below.  Depending on the size of the plant you could remove that area with a sterilized knife and brush with fungicide.

Alternatively, 2 weeks is not long enough to see any changes in the plant after repotting, especially now as it is a cactus's dormant period.  You could wait but keep a really close eye on the affected area.

Any drooping is a bad sign for most cacti.  I'd like to see a picture or if you could give me a more detailed explanation that might help.

Maureen