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craig wood

craig_wood_craig_wood_ Posts: 2
in Problem solving


help! This cactus was given to me by my Nan who grew it from a tiny cactus over 70 years! And over the last two months the top has been going black and I’m worried it’s going to die?! 
I did change the soil? But I used cactus compost from the garden center!
any help much appreciated, what do I do? 
Thznks you. 

Craig 

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Craig, welcome to the forum. Thanks for your post. Maybe have a good research online for ways to nurture your particular cactus - planting medium, pots, light levels, watering regimes. Good luck with it.
  • craig_wood_craig_wood_ Posts: 2
    Thank you mother goose for your response.. I believe it was very well looked after by my Nan she was a keen horticulturalist and flower arranged as a profession, she knew a great deal about all things green so I think it would have been well cared for. 
    With regards to your response I appreciate the comments but what can I do to care for it? Is the black top an issue and where do I go from here to ensure it’s a happy cactus! 

    Mzny thanks 

    craig 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    @hogweed @Paul B3
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Sorry Craig but I think your cactus is a goner. The black at the top does not look good and is normally a sign of rot due to overwatering. But a bit unusual for it to be at the top. 
    Try the following:
    repot if possible in a clay pot.
    add lots of grit or sharp sand to the potting mix.
    make sure the level of the compost is below the 'neck' of the plant.
    fill the remaining space with grit.
    it should be in the sun. If on a sunny windowsill, turn it regularly. It has a strange shape and I reckon this has not been done.
    water it regularly about once a week during the summer. Do not get water on the plant. Make sure the water drains out and the plant isn't sitting in water.
    give it a liquid feed - phostrogen or baby bio or similar - once a month.

    none of the above will save the plant if it is crown rot. If the top goes soft or is soft, more drastic measures can be tried.
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    mother_goose ,
    You may find this interesting !

    http://www.cactusinhabitat.org/index.php?p=home

    Click on A&M at top of page ; this will reveal some incredible imagery of S.American cacti in habitat .
    Enjoy !

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    craig_wood_
    There's no going back for that one I'm afraid ; definitely finished !
    At approx. 70 years old , that plant should have been enormous ; was it ever properly watered and fed ?
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