Expert: Greg Simpson - 7/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: my moon cactus use to have a beautiful yellow and orange top but it has shriveled up and turned brown also a second cactus has started growing out of the side of the cacti with roots growing in several different areas and is hovering two inches above the original . can the top of my cacti be saved ? and what should i do about the second cacti growing out the side ?

ANSWER: Sheena,

The cactus on top is dead. It is actually a different type of cactus that has been grafted on to the part that is still alive. You can let the lower one grow and see if you like the way it looks, or just get rid of it. If you like the "moon cactus" look, you'll need to purchase another one. Please keep in mind that they don't live for very long. Sorry for the loss of your plant.

Sincerely,

Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: should I remove the dead cacti?, if so would it help the rest of it grow better?, also what do you think killed my cactus top

Answer
Sheena,

Yes, you can cut it off and it shouldn't have any affect on the remaining plant. Nothing really killed the top. The top plant is irradiated, which removes all of the chlorophyll from the plant, which makes it turn the color it is. Because it has no chlorophyll, it can't survive unless it is grafted onto another plant that can supply food (which is what chlorophyll does). However, even thought the bottom plant supplies food, the life span of the top plant is severely shorten because of the irradiation. In general, they do not live long. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg