Expert: Greg Simpson - 11/9/2006

Question
I have some type of cactus...green "trunk" without spikes with an orange ball on top with spikes.  It had a little brown spot on it when I received it as a gift but I guess I didn't think much of it.  Now the brown spot has grown and I'm assuming it's rotten!  Since it was a gift, I would like to try to save it.  I am wondering if I can cut out the rotten part or if that will kill it more?  I can send pictures if that would help!

Answer
Dear Raechel,

Depending on the extent of the rot, you can cut it away and the plant may survive. However, the green part of the stem usually isn't very big on those type of plants, and the rot usually starts inside. Go ahead and remove the rot and see what happens.

Unfortunately what you have is actually 2 cacti, a root stock (the green part) and a scion (the orange part) which are grafted together. The orange part can not survive without the green part because all of the chlorophyll has been zapped out of it, which is why it is orange.

So, if the bottom green part dies, you will have to get another plant. Sorry for the bad news.

Sincerely,

Greg