Expert: Greg Simpson - 9/13/2007

Question
I have an Orange Top Cactus that is shriveling up. The base of the cactus has turned yellow and is mushy. The top has a little bit of discoloration in it as well. Is this cactus dying from being over/under watered? Do I need to throw the cactus away or can it be salvaged?
Thank you in advance.

Answer
Melissa,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, as I have been traveling. Unfortunately there is no way to save your plant. The bottom half of your plant is not the same as the top (they are grafted together). The lower half is usually a plant that needs a fair amount of water, but as with any cactus, the soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings. The top half will not survive on it own because all of the chlorophyll has been removed (which is what the plant needs to grow and why your plant is not green). Sorry for the bad news.

Sincerely,

Greg