Expert: Greg Simpson - 4/9/2006

Question
Well I have had this cactus since June 7 of last year. My cactus' flower turned brown and fell off. She started to get mushy on the top. Then the mushyness started going down to the rest of her. If I touch her, i can feel a hard tube. She is probably dying... CAN I DO ANYTHING FOR HER!
-Tess

Answer
Dear Tess,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But what you are describing means your plant is not going to make it. Unfortunately, when a plant rots like that, there is nothing that can be done. Typically, that kind of damage is done by either over watering or frost damage. Sometimes plants can recover if they are big enough that the rotting part can be removed, but if you can feel the “skeleton” inside the plant and the rest is mushy and turning black, there really isn't anything that can be done. Sorry.

Sincerely,

Greg