Expert: Greg Simpson - 4/27/2006

Question
About six months ago, the pink round part on the top of my moon cactus began to shrivel up, and a strange growth began growing out of the side of the stalk.  Since then, the stalk has grown several tentacle like appendages.  What's wrong with it and is there anything I can do to save it?  Here are some pictures i took of it...
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/souls_requiem/DSC00157.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b144/souls_requiem/DSC00158.jpg
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Jackie,

Actually, what your plant is doing is normal. Since the "scion" has died, the plant is now expending the energy that was going to the now dead part to add arms. The "tentacle like appendages" hanging down are actually roots. The plant that is used for the "root stock" is a type of cactus that lives in a jungle like environment.

That type of cactus will climb up trees and the roots that you are seeing are used to hold it to the tree it is climbing. So what you are seeing is normal for that plant.

Hope this helps,

Sincerely,

Greg