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What is this white fluff on cactus?

CharlotteeCharlottee Posts: 3
in Plants
Hello everyone 

I have just discovered half my cactus is covered in a strange white fluff like substance! Does anyone know what it is? 

Thank you in advance 

Posts

  • JeanRJeanR Posts: 16
    Maybe mealy bugs? Try to look closer and if it has mealies,
    you will see little oval shapes nesting on the white fluff.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    It looks like mealy bug to me too - I used to have a huge collection of cacti and mealy is the most common problem - I just used to squash them, but invariably some would evade me and the problem would re-cur.  The warmer weather of Spring/summer will help to eradicate them - don't over water your plants.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I'm more inclined to think it might be a fungal infection.
    Is that brownish shiny patch at the bottom soft?
    It looks to me as if it may be caving in at the base, and the fungus is growing on the dying tissue.
    Have you kept it dry all winter, or have you been watering it?
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    White mould due to excessive dampness , not mealy-bug . It is a Euphorbia obesa , not a cactus . Looks like a rotten patch on the side , not a lot of hope there .
    The developing 'pyramidal' shape is totally un-natural , should be a solid globe shape .This is caused by forced growth in poor light conditions known as etiolation .
    Once that distortion commences , there's no going back .
    Apologies for being so cheerful !
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